TUKWILA, WASHINGTON (March 23, 2021) – The Seattle Seawolves are excited to announce the return of USA Eagle and 2019 Seattle Seawolf, Samu Manoa.
Born in Concord, California, Manoa was encouraged to give rugby a try by his first coaches, his father and uncle, at the age of 13. Manoa stuck with the
game and eventually joined San Francisco Golden Gate during the US Super League era from 2003 to 2010 and helped Gate win two titles before getting
his USA Rugby call-up. He made his international test debut for the Eagles against Georgia in the fall of 2010, kickstarting a national team career
that spanned into 2018 with 21 caps and selection to the 2015 World Cup. Manoa left the states in 2011 after getting an offer from Northampton of the
English Premiership. He was a member of the Saints for four years, playing in 84 matches and scoring a total of 16 tries. Manoa left England in 2015
when Toulon of the French Top 14 contracted him. After three years with the prestigious French club, he headed to Guinness PRO14 competition with the
Cardiff Blues.
Manoa’s internationally known prowess added tremendous skill and experience to a strong Seawolves pack as a back row-lock option in 2019 when he debuted
in Major League Rugby competition. Manoa made five appearances for the Seawolves, including the 2019 Championship victory over the San Diego Legion.
Manoa, nicknamed ‘The Hitman’,
returns to the Seawolves with his professionalism and physicality for the MLR 2021 season.
The Seattle Seawolves travel to Los Angeles this weekend to face MLR’s newest franchise, the Giltinis, who currently sit at the top of the West Conference standings. Kick off at the Los Angeles Coliseum will be at 5:30 PM PT on Sunday, March 28. Viewers inside the United States can tune in live on
ROOT SPORTS and The Rugby Network
. Viewers outside of the United States can tune in live on The Rugby Network.
The post 2019 MLR Champion Manoa Returns to Seattle, Rejoins Seawolves for 2021 appeared first on Seattle Seawolves Rugby.
