Top Collegiate Rugby Talent Drafted to Hunt in Seattle
August 18, 2022 – Major League Rugby (MLR) – Seattle Seawolves News Release
(TUKWILA, WASHINGTON) – Four top-tier college players have been selected to join the Seattle Seawolves via the 2022 Major League Rugby Draft. Starting their professional rugby careers with the 2022 Western Conference Champions in the Seattle Southside.
“I’m delighted with the quality of player we’ve drafted,” said Seawolves head coach Allen Clarke. “We welcome Shane, Samuel, Neal and James to the Seawolves and look forward to seeing them establish themselves in the squad in 2023.”
2022 Seattle Seawolves Draft Class:
Round 1, Pick 12
SHANE BARRY
Position: Fly Half
University: University of California, Los Angeles
Hometown: London, England
Age: 22
Height: 5’11”
Weight: 175 lbs.
Barry started rugby at the age of 5 playing for his first school, Feltonfleet, and local club Reeds Weybridge. He continued playing for his secondary school, Hampton, and was picked for Middlesex County and the London Irish Academy. He furthered his education and rugby experience at University of California, Los Angeles and was selected for USA Men’s Selects and Falcons opportunities. Watch Barry’s highlights here.
Round 2, Pick 3
SAMUEL WEGERT
Position: Center
University: Trinity Western University
Hometown: Langley, British Columbia, Canada
Age: 22
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 220 lbs.
Wegert started playing rugby at 16 at R.E. Mountain Secondary in Langley, British Columbia, Canada where he ended up ranked second at his position in the province during his senior year. After high school, he was recruited to play for the University of British Columbia Thunderbirds where he stayed for a year before being offered a position closer to home at Trinity Western University’s new program. Wegert played there for three years, including in the inaugural BC Coastal Cup in 2021 where he was chosen for the Canada West Selects. Watch Wegert’s highlights here.
Round 2, Pick 12
NEAL MOYLETT
Position: Loose Forward
University: Lindenwood University
Hometown: Ballina, Ireland
Age: 22
Height: 6’2″
Weight: 225 lbs.
Moylett started playing in Ballina Rugby Football Club when he was 4 years old, he continued through the youth system and graduated to the senior team, winning the All-Ireland league in his first season. He represented Ireland at the U19 level while also representing Connacht Rugby at the U19 and ‘A’ level from 2016-2019. He then moved to Lansdowne FC, where he played U20s and first team for 2 seasons, winning the U20 Premier 1 division in 2019/20. Watch Moylett’s highlights here.
Round 3, Pick 12
JAMES KUAHIWINUI
Position: Prop
University: Iowa Central Community College
Hometown: Washington / Hawai’i
Age: 21
Height: 6’0″
Weight: 260 lbs.
Kuahiwinui has been playing the game of rugby for five years. He started playing rugby with his local Rugby Washington club, Tacoma Tsunami, in 2017 and fell in love with the sport. He played for the Washington Wolverines state select-side in 2018, the Tacoma Nomads men’s club side in 2018-2019, and then headed to Iowa Central Community College to play for their side from 2020-2022. After a strong two seasons, he was selected to the NCR All-Stars Midwest Barbarians in 2022. He lived between Washington and Hawai’i his whole life, and is very passionate about his culture. He is Hawaiian, Samoan, and Portuguese.
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