Major League Rugby fans will wondering what to make of the new California franchise. Billed as a merger between LA and San Diego, it feels more like LA wearing San Diego’s brand playing in… well… everywhere. Homes games for the new-look Legion will be at five different venues, a situation that isn’t sitting easy with the San Diego faithful who have been following the league since day one.
Steve Hoiles and Dave Dennis continue their coaching partnership from LA, while Dave Clancy comes in from the old Legion to refine skills and back play. Former Central Washington coach Todd Thornley was meant to bring in another pair of eyes but he will instead take up the GM role for New England.
A decent chunk of the roster – 13 in total – come from last year’s LA side, with only four players retained from San Diego. There are five ex-Utah players, and three each from NOLA and Houston. Only one new recruit played their rugby overseas last year. It’s an interesting mix that feels like an MLR Barbarians side, a reflection perhaps of their all-action playing style.
| ROSTER |
FRONT ROW
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #1 LH PROP |
n/a | Fred Apulu (D) Declan Leaney (I) Ma’ake Muti (D) |
| #2 HOOKER |
n/a | Ale Lopeti (D) Ben Sugars (I) Joe Taufete’e (D) |
| #3 TH PROP |
n/a | Tonga Kofe (D) Michael Scott (I) Justus Tavai (D) |
Ma’ake Muti is back in California after stints with the American Raptors and Miami Sharks. He attended last month’s Eagles alignment camp, and is the most likely starter at loosehead prop. Fred Apulu is another who previously turned out with LA before moving to Utah. Abrasive Australian Declan Leaney sticks around but there is no place for Dane Zander.
Others who were not retained include Nate Sylvia, now at New England, and Djustice Sears-Duru. The Canadian was most recently seen playing for the Atlantic Privateers. Anthem snapped up both LA’s Alessandro Heaney and San Diego’s Payton Telea-Ilalio.
Joe Taufete’e, another former LA player, returns to his home state and brings Ale Lopeti from NOLA to compete at hooker. Ben Sugars is the international option who was the regular starter for LA last season. Some rotation is likely here, with Sugars also subject to the match-day limit on imports.
Shilo Klein has been playing for Zebre Parma in Italy, while Cyrille Cama signed for New England and Liki Chan-Tung went to Seattle. Hugh Roach, Mike Sosene-Feagai, and Ben Strang are other prominent names who did not sign on after playing in California last year.
Justus Tavai is the only tighthead prop sticking around. Tonga Kofe is the favorite to wear the No3 shirt after securing an early release from Leicester Tigers. Both men have football backgrounds and have enormous frames. Michael Scott joins from Houston, where he was backup to Pono Davis.
It was assumed that Davis would land in California, but the 28-year-old has allegedly opted to retire and return to his home state of Hawai’i. Maliu Niuafe signed for the Free Jacks and Conor Young is back playing for Southern Districts in Australia. Darcy Breen signed for the Brumbies, and Oliver Kane went to Anthem. Brook To’omalatai is now coaching with Eagle Rock Rugby.
SECOND ROW
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #4/5 LOCK |
n/a | Jason Damm (D) Chase Jones (D) Keni Nasoqeqe (D) Jurie van Vuuren(I) |
LA’s starting duo Jason Damm and Jurie van Vuuren are joined by NOLA’s Chase Jones and Houston’s Keni Nasoqeqe. Jones is from California and starred with St. Mary’s College, while Nasoqeqe played club rugby with Belmont Shore before signing his first MLR deal with San Diego.
Damm, Nasoqeqe, and van Vuuren were all primarily loose forwards at one point in their careers, and for Nasoqeqe as recently as last season. None of the quartet are especially tall, all of them standing in the vicinity of 6’4″ (1.93m). They do offer the ability to play with the ball in hand.
Ex-Wallaby Jed Holloway is the biggest name who did not return. San Diego’s locks largely dispersed: Vili Helu to Japan, Zak Farrance to France, James Rivers to Hong Kong, and Brandon Harvey to Chicago. Charlie Hewitt is playing for Austin Blacks. Reegan O’Gorman returned to Canada from LA, and Lucas Bur is playing for Capibaras in Super Rugby Americas. Mikaea Wynyard appear to be a free agent.
BACK ROW
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #6/7 FLANKER |
n/a | Christian Poidevin (D) Ed Timpson (I) Lance Williams (D) |
| #8 EIGHTMAN |
n/a | Ben Houston (I) Ronan Murphy (D) |
Hoiles retained two of his starting loosies from last year in robust flanker Ed Timpson and rangy No8 Ben Houston. Christian Poidevin can claim to have played with both California clubs, and is now a USA international. Lance Williams makes the switch from Utah, and Ronan Murphy joins from Houston. Both have the ability to play in all three back row positions.
This is certainly a position of strength for the Legion, with all five players capable of starting. Houston stands out figuratively and literally as a key figure in the lineout. Poidevin’s industry marks him as a probable No7, with the No6 shirt up for grabs. Expect some rotation in the early rounds of the season before the preferred trio is settled.
Tim Anstee, who also played some lock for LA, signed with English club Worcester Warriors. Matt Heaton it seems is taking some time off. Semi Kunatani joined Old Glory. From San Diego, Paddy Ryan moved north to Seattle and Tevita Tameilau retired. Jimmy Hokafonu is set to play in Australia’s Shute Shield. It’s not immediately clear what the future is for Brad Wilkin.
HALFBACKS
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #9 SCRUMHALF |
n/a | Gonzalo Bertranou (I) Tas Smith (D) |
| #10 FLYHALF |
n/a | Matt Anticev (D) Steffan Crimp (D) Coby Miln (I) |
The two LA scrumhalves are retained but there are no other options. If either Gonzalo Bertranou or Tas Smith are banged up, it’s not obvious who the next choice would be. San Diego’s Richard Judd signed for Vannes in France, while Connor Tupai will join Hokafonu at Eastern Suburbs. Inoke Waqavesi is now working for the Sacramento Kings.
Flyhalf is where the overseas recruit is found. Coby Miln signs on after making a Super Rugby appearance with the Western Force. A tall playmaker with a useful right boot, the 26-year-old led the Shute Shield in scoring in each of the last two seasons.
Steffan Crimp is next in line, who spent the past few months playing for Cardiff in the Welsh Premiership. He also played some fullback for San Diego last season. Matt Anticev has been on the books for LA for the past two seasons with limited playing time.
Christian Leali’ifano left LA for Toyota Shokki in Japan. Lincoln McClutchie returned to Hawke’s Bay in New Zealand after one season with San Diego. Harris Rutherford joined Rams RFC in England.
MIDFIELD
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #12/13 CENTER |
n/a | Nick Chan (I) Cassh Maluia (D) Billy Meakes (I) Cole Semu (D) |
Another LA combo returns in the centers with Billy Meakes and Nick Chan set to pair up again. Cassh Maluia is a fearsome ball carrier who looks more streamlined than last season, when he started to get some starts with San Diego. Cole Semu impressed as a No13 with Utah last year and offers a US-qualified alternative at either midfield position.
Matias Jensen has returned to Australia, and Will Leonard traded LA for Charlotte. San Diego pair Tavite Lopeti and Tiaan Loots both signed on with Chicago. Marcel Brache retired. Alesana Pohla was last spotted playing rugby league with Entrance Tigers.
OUTSIDE BACKS
| 2025 | 2026 | |
| #11/14 WING |
n/a | Ryan James (D) Joe Mano (D) Oscar Treacy (D) |
| #15 FULLBACK |
n/a | Corbin Smith (D) Rory van Vugt (I) |
San Diego winger Ryan James and LA fullback Rory van Vugt have agreed to stay. Joe Mano is a quality addition from Utah, where he has been a try-scoring dynamo in recent seasons. Oscar Treacy is tipped for Eagles honors after starring at Central Washington, and Corbin Smith played briefly for Anthem before spending more time in England at Hartpury College. The USA u23 select can play wing or fullback.
van Vugt is the clear starter at No15 with the rest fighting for the wing spots. Mano is favorite at No11, and James has his work cut out to hold off the challenge of Treacy on the right side. This is as good an attacking back three as any in MLR, but there are some questions about defense.
Both Andrew Coe and Christian Dyer opted to retire from professional rugby despite being under 30. Jack Shaw has been turning out with the Canada Sevens team. LA’s fullbacks signed new deals abroad – Reece MacDonald joined NEC in Japan, while Vaughen Isaacs is off to Steaua in Romania.
San Diego bid farewell to Tomas Aoake, Rhian Stowers, James Vaifale, and Ethan Grayson. Aoake is playing for Queanbeyan in Australia, Stowers with Tokyo Gas, and Grayson had committed to a return to Newcastle before the 2025 season began.
| POSSIBLE STARTERS |
| #1 | #2 | #3 |
 |
 |
 |
| Ma’ake Muti |
Joe Taufete’e |
Tonga Kofe |
| Domestic | Domestic | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 36 caps | USA Eagles 6 caps |
| #4 | #5 |
 |
 |
| Jason Damm |
Jurie van Vuuren |
| Domestic | International |
| USA Eagles 15 caps | South Africa u20 |
| #6 | #8 | #7 |
 |
 |
 |
| Lance Williams |
Ben Houston |
Christian Poidevin |
| Domestic | International | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 7s | USA Eagles 6 caps |
| #9 | #10 |
 |
 |
| Gonzalo Bertranou |
Coby Miln |
| International | International |
| Argentina 67 caps |
| #12 | #13 |
 |
 |
| Billy Meakes |
Nick Chan |
| International | International |
| Australia 7s | Australia u20 |
| #11 | #15 | #14 |
 |
 |
 |
| Joe Mano |
Rory van Vugt |
Ryan James |
| Domestic | International | Domestic |
| USA Eagles 2 caps | USA Eagles 1 cap |
| 2026 SEASON OUTLOOK |
The spine of this team is very much built around LA, and Miln’s new partnership with Bertranou is the most dynamic halfback pairing in the league. Meakes is another central figure in a very threatening backline. California’s loose forward options are dynamic well-suited for run-everything rugby.
On the flipside – as we saw a year ago – there are questions on the other side of the ball. Front row aside, this isn’t the biggest outfit. A more muscular and direct pack can be problematic. There’s also a feeling this team might be more vulnerable than others to injuries at key positions.
The Legion will be an exciting team, certainly the least risk-averse. Playing in a different venue every week, however, is not ideal even if it is a relatively short campaign. There’s too much talent here for this team not to make the knockouts. Winning a title on a windy day in Chicago is a taller task.
A detailed squad list can be seen here.
The post MLR 2026 – ARN Season Guide – California Legion appeared first on Americas Rugby News.
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