![]() ![]() “ PRO Rugby is exposing the game to a lot of people who have never seen it. It was just a matter of time.” Along the same lines, Orene Ai’i remarked “ I like how he’s used playing in the pro league to his full potential and has made the guys at the top of USA Rugby take notice of him and his talents.”Īs the inaugural season of PRO Rugby is wrapping up, I asked Langi how he feels the league is helping to develop the game in the USA. I’ll never forget it.” Fred Waititi, Luke Gross, Kevin Battleįrom a former teammate’s perspective, Munoz said that “ We weren’t surprised when he got picked up by the Eagles, it was just a relief that he finally got what he deserved. I just wanted to give the USA coaches the best look I could, and next thing I knew they told me I made the roster.” Langi went on to say, “ On top of that, playing in Sacramento, in front of family, friends, my Express and Razorback teammates was a dream come true. I never thought it would have happened so quickly. After a bit of time to reflect on the experience, Langi said, “ I’m still shocked I got to play for the Eagles. Shock was his initial reaction, as he thought his coaches were joking with him when they told him. Langi was invited into USA Eagles camp in late June, prior to the summer series test match versus Russia and by the end of the week he had earned his first Eagles cap. “ Langi is extremely coachable,” says Gross, “ He listens, works hard, and asks all the right questions. He’s so explosive and dynamic with the ball and on defense he is a monster.” Coach Gross believes one of Langi’s strongest attributes as a player is his never-ending drive to be successful. He commented “ LangiLangi is a beast of a man and an incredible player. I asked former New Zealand All Blacks fly-half Orene Ai’i – and current San Francisco Rush player – what it was like to play against him. Week after week he is making devastating tackles and running over grown men like they are children. Shortly thereafter, LangiLangi Haupeakui was a professional rugby player.įor anyone who’s been following the inaugural season of PRO Rugby North America, it’s not too difficult to see why Langi got the call up from the Eagles. Coach Gross saw his size, speed, and raw athleticism and had Langi come to training. Just a few weeks before the inaugural season was set to kick off, the coaching staff of the Sacramento Express saw what the EPA Razorbacks had been seeing for years. When PRO Rugby was announced, Langi didn’t pay too much attention to it at first, and he wasn’t identified early on to be offered a contract. Nobody’s perfect but he always wants to improve, and he always put his body on the line for his Razorback family.” Munoz said that “ The grind never stops for him. Just looking at him other teams were intimidated and all he had to do was keep that fear in his opponents and that’s exactly what he did week in and week out.” Something else that made Langi stand out in the club game was his work ethic. “ Almost every game Langi would have a highlight reel hit. Langi played his club rugby with the East Palo Alto (EPA) Razorbacks, where according to former teammate Anthony Munoz, he was always a game changer. Having watched his older brother play for several years, he knew that his size, speed, and natural athleticism would translate well to the game. For various reasons football didn’t work out, so he turned to rugby. Eventually, football took Haupeakui to the College of San Mateo. Living in an area heavily populated by Pacific Islander gangs which included family members and friends, he said it was difficult to avoid the trouble, and if it wasn’t for sports keeping him busy he most likely would have ended up going down a path that he had no desire to go. hammer with speed to boot, grew up in San Mateo, California playing football as a means to keep himself out of trouble. I spoke at length with Langi and Sacramento head coach Luke Gross about the importance of PRO Rugby and how it’s providing the opportunity for players to be seen who otherwise would not have had the chance to get a look. One of the newest capped USA Eagles is making a name for himself in the inaugural season of PRO Rugby playing 8 man for the Sacramento Express. Sooner rather than later, you’re going to think of this man: LangiLangi Haupeakui. SAN DIEGO, CA – Who do you think of when you hear the term “ Beast Mode?” Maybe it’s the Tuilagi brothers, New Zealand’s Julian Savea or Ma’a Nonu, or perhaps the USA’s own Danny Barrett. ![]()
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