Seawolves Sign Legion Prop Justus Tavai

Although some things about the Seawolves' future direction be gleaned from the three picks they took in the 2026 MLR Draft, Seattle announced their first official signing for the 2027 MLR season on Wednesday, tighthead prop Justus Tavai.

A former defensive lineman with the University of Hawaii, the 6-2, 292-pound Tavai began his rugby career with a season for the 2024 American Raptors of Super Rugby Americas; his MLR career started with half a season with Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA) in 2025. Upon RFCLA's merger with the San Diego Legion in the following offseason, Tavai joined the merged team and played 287 minutes over 12 matches for them in 2026.

While Tavai mostly served as the Legion's second-half replacement for Tonga Kofe, it seems the Seawolves might be bringing him on as a primary option for tighthead prop in 2027. It's not clear what role Ignacio Péculo or Mason Pedersen would play if either returns to the team, though the addition of Tavai means that the Seawolves are likely moving on from one of those two in the front row.

It's also unclear whether Charlie Walsh, the team's second round 2025 draft pick, is going to return in 2027; he is currently playing for Kowloon RFC, and since their 2026-27 season stretches into early March, any return for him might depend on the exact schedule of the 2027 MLR season.

The fact that the newly-added Tavai is Seattle's first announced signing of the off-season is a departure from their previous offseason, when they bookended the signings with a pair of longtime returners in Dan Kriel at the outset and Riekert Hattingh to finish.

While it's unclear who else might headline the arrivals for the 2027 Seawolves, the team has certainly gone for size in the front row to start things off.