Tavite Lopeti
Age26
PositionCenter
HometownHaywood, CA
Date Of BirthNovember 20, 1998
ClubSeattle Seawolves
SchoolSaint Mary’s College of California
Caps15 (XVs)
Debutvs Canada, September 2021 (XVs)
Tavite Lopeti was 14 years old when he first started playing ruby in Northern California after his father's friend invited him to play with a youth club he coached. Going on to play in High School at Tennyson High and later rugby powerhouse Saint Mary's College, "Pite" also made a name for himself in the club space with the Life West Gladiators. In 2021, Tavite was drafted third overall in the Major League Rugby Draft to the Seattle Seawolves, winning Rookie of the Year honors in 2022.
Playing with the USA Men's U20s in 2019 and earning Collegiate All American Honors the same year, Lopeti began his climb with in the USA National Team pathway, eventually earning his first cap against Canada in 2021 during Rugby World Cup Qualifiers.