Coaching Staff
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Mata Mama'o
I have coached Utah Men's Premier Club for 7 years which consists of the SLC Spartans, and the Utah Saints, and coached at MR Rugby for 4 years.
I have played rugby since I was a child. I played for Liahona High School and multiple clubs in Tonga, Maui, New Zealand, and Utah. I was signed on the first year Warriors was established here in Utah in 2018.
Back in high school I was on the Track and Field team for the Liahona High School and played Volleyball.
Fun Fact: I had a major surgery in 2018 where they took half my lung out due to an infection. That was the main reason for hanging up my boots, but I sure miss playing!
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Nate Hardman
I have coached rugby for 12 years at various levels, from youth rugby to high school. I played rugby at Highland High School, the University of Utah, and for the Utah Men's team, Haggis.
I have also played football and wrestling.
Outside of coaching and sports, I enjoy the great outdoors, with a particular love for hunting with my family.
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Johnnie Kapua
This is my 5th year coaching High School Rugby. I played rugby in New Zealand for the Upper Hutt Rams. I have also coached high school basketball at the Upper Hutt College Varsity team and played Rugby Basketball.
Fun Fact: I used to be babysat by Tana Umanga (Former All Black). I grew up in Wellington New Zealand and played against now professional Rugby and Rugby League players.
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Misi Tonga
I've coached rugby for 10 years. I played rugby for Herriman High and Utah Valley University.
While growing up I also played football.
Fun Fact: I have torn my ACL three times on my right knee and twice on my left.Description goes here
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Matthew Sammis
This is my second year coaching rugby. I have also coached football, volleyball, and basketball.
I played football with a German/ American team as medical support while in the army in Germany. I served 34 years in the military.Description goes here
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Kepu Tau'a'alo
I have coached rugby for 2 years. I have played 11+ years of football.
Fun Fact: I love ALL things Utah Sports (Utah Hockey, Utah Jazz, Real Salt Lake, Utah College Football, BYU, and Utah Rugby
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Eric Swapp
I started coaching, rookie rugby in 1998 and my love for coaching kept growing. I coached the Lowland RFC, Summit Academy, Utah Lions, 3 Utah All Star Tours to Oregon and Colorado with boys and Girls. I also coached the UVU men’s team.
I played rugby at BYU, 92-94. Beijing Devils 2007.
I am an assistant coach with the MRHS Hockey team.
After all that I’m too busy to do anything else fun.
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LeGrande Jolley
This is my second year coaching rugby. I fell in love with rugby when my boys got involved with the Riverton Rugby program in 2019. Since then Rugby has become my favorite sport to watch and coach. I have also coached youth soccer and football teams.
I have loved watching the team grow over the years and am grateful to be a part of the program.
Fun Fact: I helped launch FanX Salt Lake Comic Con in 2013 and have traveled all over North America helping run comic cons.
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Siope Lapuaho
I’ve coached rugby for eight years, working with players from youth to Division 3 men’s clubs. I first got into the sport in high school, playing for Highland High and Murray RFC. In college, I played for Snow College, winning the Utah Men’s Division 2 title and competing in the Sweet 16s.
I played for several clubs, including the D3 OC Bucks, D2 Huntington Beach RFC, and Belmont Shore at the D1/PRP level under Coach Ray Eagen, before retiring in 2015. Now, I coach football and enjoy pickleball.
I’m happily married to my wife, Kariana, for 17 years, and we have five kids and a Husky/Pit pup named Rocci.