Payton Telea-Ilalio
| Born | 17 August 1998 San Francisco, California, United States | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Height | 180 cm (5 ft 11 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 116 kg (256 lb; 18 st 4 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Payton Telea-Ilalio (born 17 August 1998) is an American rugby union player, currently playing for the Anthem Carolina in Major League Rugby (MLR). His preferred position is prop.[1]
Early career
Telea-Ilalio is from San Francisco and attended Saint Mary's College of California, where he won the Rudy Scholz award in 2020.[2] He represented the USA U20 side in 2018.[3]
Professional career
Telea-Ilalio signed his first professional contract for the Austin Gilgronis during the 2022 Major League Rugby season, scoring two tries on his debut.[4] After the 'Gilgronis' were suspended, and then withdrew from competition,[5] he joined the American Raptors ahead of the 2023 Super Rugby Americas season.[6] He would return to the MLR ahead of the 2024 season, signing for San Diego Legion.[7] He would remain in San Diego for the 2025 season, before joining Anthem Carolina ahead of the 2026 season.[8]
Telea-Ilalio made his debut for the United States national team in September 2024, debuting against Samoa.[9] He scored his first try against Japan the following September.[10]
References
- ^ "Payton Telea-Ilalio". Ultimate Rugby. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Sedrick and Telea-Ilalio win top collegiate awards". Americas Rugby News. 8 May 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "USA U20s Face Canada In Key North American Qualifier Series". Flo Rugby. 12 June 2018. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "MLR 2022 - ARN Team of the week - Round 11". Americas Rugby News. 19 April 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "MLR expansion / dispersal draft summary". Americas Rugby News. 11 November 2022. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "American Raptors name extended squad for Super Rugby America". Americas Rugby News. 9 January 2023. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "San Diego Legion's 2024 season recap: Triumphs, transitions and elevating rugby in North America". California Legion. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ @anthemrugby; (15 November 2025). "NEW SIGNING". Retrieved 8 December 2025 – via Instagram.
- ^ "Latee try gives Samoa victory over USA in Osaka". Americas Rugby News. 21 September 2024. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
- ^ "Men's Eagles finish third in Pool B with opportunity still ahead in Pacific Nations Cup qualifier". USA Rugby. 7 September 2025. Retrieved 8 December 2025.
External links