Bay Area Native Returns Home for 2026
Hooker Alex Lopeti returns to his home state for the 2026 season after four MLR campaigns with NOLA Gold. The Hayward product brings experience, physicality, and California roots back to Legion.
California native Alex Lopeti returns home for the 2026 season, joining Legion after four years with NOLA Gold.
The Hayward product began his rugby journey in the Bay Area, where the sport holds deep roots. Rugby was part of daily life growing up. His father introduced him and his brother to the game after recognizing their athleticism extended beyond football.
“My dad played rugby and taught us the game,” Lopeti said. “We’d wake up or stay up until three in the morning to watch New Zealand and South Africa play. He brought us into the sport, and the rest is history.”
That foundation led to a steady rise through the professional ranks. Lopeti signed with NOLA ahead of the 2022 MLR season and steadily increased his impact each year.
In 2023, he earned NOLA Gold Most Improved Player honors after adding his first MLR start and try. In 2024, he more than doubled his career highs in appearances and tackles, helping the Gold reach their first postseason. By 2025, he logged 15 appearances with 11 starts and set new career marks in tries and tackles.
Across four seasons, Lopeti totaled 39 appearances and 13 starts while building a reputation as a physical, reliable presence in the front row.
Now, the Bay Area native brings that experience back to California. Lopeti strengthens Legion’s hooker depth with proven MLR minutes and a deep connection to the state’s rugby community.
