Warriors Select Five Players in 2022 MLR Draft
August 18, 2022 – Major League Rugby (MLR) – Utah Warriors News Release
HERRIMAN – The Utah Warriors have selected Tai Kauwe, Gabe Kettering, Greg Janowick, Sam Buckley and John Dupree in the 2022 Major League Rugby Draft held on Thursday, August 18.
“We are extremely excited about the incoming group of Utah Warriors Draft Picks,” said Warriors General Manager Brandon Sparks. “This group is the first to have dealt with Covid-19 and it’s impact on collegiate rugby for the duration of their college careers. Despite this, we believe these players can come in and put in the work necessary to contribute at the Major League Rugby level.”
Below is a full recap of the Utah Warriors’ five selections in the 2022 MLR Draft.
Tai Kauwe – Round 1, Pick 9 (pick via Atlanta)
Following a trade down in the first round with Atlanta, the Warriors’ used their first selection in the draft on Tai Kauwe (5’10”, 195), a scrum half from Kutztown University in Pennsylvania. Kauwe is a native of Orem, Utah, having attended Pleasant Grove High School where he played at the International U18 Level before going on to Kutztown, where he earned a degree in Business Management. Kauwe participated in the Collegiate Rugby Shield competition held at Zions Bank Stadium this past summer, playing for the Peaks. In addition to his experience in Rugby Union, Kauwe is an experienced Rugby 7’s player, being included in the USA 7’s and PR 7’s player pools, playing for the Experts with current Utah Warriors Joe Mano and Mikey Te’o.
“Tai is a Utah Built product that developed nicely during his time with Kutztown,” said Sparks. “He brings dynamic athleticism that is often not seen at the scrum half position. His experience is 7s also makes him a versatile player that can cover multiple positions. I’m confident too that once he starts working with Shaun Davies we will have a very dangerous and exciting player for the Warriors.”
Gabe Kettering – Round 1, Pick 11
Gabe Kettering (6’3″, 255) is an imposing prop out of Lindenwood University in Missouri. Originally from O’Fallon, Missouri, Kettering played 8-Man and Center in High School before moving to prop in College, where he majored in chemistry with minors in math, philosophy and engineering physics. Kettering was teammates with Kauwe at the Collegiate Rugby Shield over the summer. Kettering is currently playing with Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.
“We have been tracking Gabe for the past two years and obviously felt he was worth a first round pick despite currently playing overseas at Trinity College,” said Sparks. “He allows us to future proof our front row with a young American prop that is a dynamic ball carrier and technically sound scrummager. His notebook work proves that he is eager about improving and matched with his work ethic left a very positive impression on us.”
Greg Janowick – Round 2, 18 (pick via NOLA Gold)
Greg Janowick (6’5″, 260) comes to the Utah Warriors from the University of Tennessee where he played lock for the Volunteers. Janowick is a native of Barrington, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago, where he lived before heading South for College. He earned numerous accolades during his time with the Vols including being named the 2020 Team MVP and 2021 SCRC Division 1 First Team. Janowick also helped lead Tennessee to a 2021 National Championship during his time in Knoxville.
“Greg is another player we’ve been tracking for the past 2 years,” said Sparks. “If you watched Tennessee’s game against Bowling Green for the National Championship in the Fall you will understand he is more than just a big tall rugby player. He came to Utah earlier this week for a pre-draft workout and we were impressed to see he had shed 30-pounds and transformed his body to be ready for the MLR environment. He did a great job learning from our coaches and players while here too. But the most impressive thing for us was how he is a student of the game. His scouting work of opposition and understanding of data applied to the game of rugby are traits we are passionate about with our players.”
Sam Buckley – Round 3, Pick 30
Sam Buckley (6’1″, 260) is a prop out of Lindenwood University, where he played with fellow Warriors’ 2022 Draft Pick Gabe Kettering. Buckley is the only Warriors’ 2022 Draft Selection not from the United States having grown up in Northampton, England, where he played for the Northampton Saints Academy, before coming to the States for school. Heralded as the best tighthead prop in the Draft, Buckley helped lead Lindenwood to a National Championship during his time with the Lions. Buckley also went against his college teammate Gabe Kettering and new Warriors’ teammate Tai Kauwe at the Collegiate Rugby Shield, playing for the Canyons over the Summer.
“Sam’s pedigree as a player would make anyone raise their eyebrows with him being in the Northampton Saints Academy and coming from Lindenwood University,” said Sparks. “He really impressed us during his time at the Collegiate Rugby Shield as a leader and person. We are adding someone that will contribute on the field, in the locker room, and in the community which are all priorities for us.”
John Dupree – Round 3, Pick 33 (pick via Austin)
The fifth and final selection from the Utah Warriors was used on John Dupree (5’11”, 215), a back row player out of Central Washington University. Dupree joined the Wildcats from Lincoln, California, where he played rugby for Del Oro High School, earning the honor as a Sac Valley All-Star. Dupree becomes the fourth player selected by the Warriors to have appeared in the Collegiate Rugby Shield, playing alongside Sam Buckley with the Canyons team.
“John is another find that came as a result of the Collegiate Rugby Shield,” said Sparks. “He has a coveted skill set as a flanker who is able to win contact and create turnovers at the tackle and breakdown area. We were incredibly surprised to see him in Round Three and felt strongly enough about him that we traded back into the Third Round to grab him. Most importantly, John is a high character young man who possesses a strong work ethic, which is a staple of a Utah Warrior.”
You can see the Warriors’ and their newest Draft Picks in action when they take the field in early 2023. Secure your seats today by calling 801-477-7652 or chat in at warriorsrugby.com. Stay on top of all the Utah Warriors’ latest news by following the team’s social media or by visiting warriorsrugby.com.
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