NEWS

San Diego Legion’s Greg Peterson On His First Major League Rugby Season

WRITTEN BY JOE HARVEY

After a decade of playing professional rugby in Europe, Greg Peterson is enjoying a new challenge with the San Diego Legion.

Arriving in Southern California during the offseason, following a brief stint with United Rugby Championship side Glasgow Warriors, the 32-year-old hopes to turn 2023’s runners-up into champions.

Fresh from starting in Legions’ 30-23 victory against the Dallas Jackals in Week 2, the USA international believes the foundations are in place for a successful campaign.

Some late tries give the @dallasjackals the losing bonus point, but it's all San Diego in the second half! @SDLegion take this one 30-23

Second half highlights here:

📺 @therugbynetwork | #DALvSD | #MLR2024 pic.twitter.com/z94RzrJmpq

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) March 10, 2024

“It has always been a team I have kept an eye on,” Peterson told Major League Rugby.

“I have always had close mates playing here. They play an enjoyable brand of rugby.

“The opportunity to increase the quality of life for my family was the biggest draw, then the second biggest is to help this team get over the line.

“They have been so close over the years to winning that MLR Shield, and I want to be a part of it.

“We have got an excellent team and the thing I have loved most since I got here is that the culture is immense. It has never skipped a beat.

“There has been no teething period. The boys have bonded really quickly. 

“I think it is going to pay in dividends come the end of the season.”

Australia-born and raised Peterson moved to Europe in the Fall of 2014 after joining Leicester Tigers on trial.

Signing a pro deal alongside fellow Eagle Blaine Scully, Peterson stayed in Leicester until 2015 and then signed for Glasgow.

Following three seasons in Scotland, the former Australia U20 international also represented Bordeaux Begles and, later, Newcastle Falcons before heading across the North Atlantic full-time.

Now, the 32-year-old finds himself representing a San Diego team that many consider favorites to win the competition.

Photo by Jillian Slaughter

Defeated by the New England Free Jacks last July in the Championship Final, Legion has now fallen at the final hurdle for a second time.

To acquire their first title, San Diego has retained the services of All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu, experienced second row Isaac Ross, and brought Wallabies legend Matt Giteau to California.

With a string of other returnees and year six prop Nate Sylvia, this could be their year.

“Half of the team has been there, was at the final and had that disappointment,” Peterson said.

“There are a couple of OGs that have been there from the start, that have been to a couple of finals now and they have missed out.

“The big thing for us is just honoring that and those past teammates that have missed out, playing the Legion way, and holding onto those values.

“And proving it to ourselves that we can do it and want to do it. That is our goal this season.”

Peterson is more than aware of the challenges that his team will face as they aim for glory.

Photo by Seattle Seawolves

In Week 1, he and his teammates were blown out of the water by a Mack Mason-inspired Seattle Seawolves team before they won against Dallas.

“There has been a lot of teams performing extremely well,” Peterson said. “You have got upsets every week.

“The competition is just getting tighter and tighter. Better and better. There are no frontrunners anymore.”