| Date of birth | 20 November 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Place of birth | Hayward, California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (15.0 st; 209 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Saint Mary's College of California | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Tavite Lopeti (born 20 November 1998) is a United States rugby union player, currently playing for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States national team. His preferred position is centre. [1]
In 2021, Lopeti was the third overall pick in the Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft and signed for the Seattle Seawolves for the 2022 MLR season. [2] His MLR debut was against the Toronto Arrows on 06 February, playing inside center for the full 80 minutes. Lopeti was awarded MLR's Rookie of the Year honors in 2022, [3] and would go on to score 40 points in 44 appearances during his two years in Seattle.
In the Fall of 2024 Lopeti played with Mystic River Rugby Club in the American Rugby Premiership, helping them to an ARP title before signing with the San Diego Legion ahead of the 2025 Major League Rugby season. On 16 February 2025, Lopeti would make his Legion debut at outside center, in a 45–33 win over his former club, Seattle. [4]
Lopeti debuted for United States against New Zealand during the 2021 end-of-year rugby union internationals. [5] [6]