Warriors sign former BYU All-American and USA Selects Flanker Jackson Kaka

Salt Lake City, December 13, 2017: The Utah Warriors sign former BYU All-American and USA Selects Flanker Jackson Kaka.

“I can’t wait to get on the field with my Warriors brothers and do battle,” said Kaka. “Coach Daniels is someone who is highly respected in my hometown so it’ll be great to learn from a man like him. I’ve lived and gone to school here in Utah for a while now, it’s where my wife is from so I’m grateful to stay here and keep growing on and off the field. Being involved with a lot of the boys this summer in the Rugby Utah Selects 7s was an awesome experience to unite the BYU, Utah and local club players. We made people take notice of the Utah rugby scene and we look to do that again in Major League Rugby.”

Kaka is originally from Hamilton New Zealand but also lived in Australia before moving to Hawaii as a teenager. Kaka didn’t play any organized rugby growing up, but took an interest in both basketball and Football, lettering in both sports while at Kahuku High School. Kaka played tight end for the Red Raiders and went to New Mexico State on scholarship. After one season, Kaka returned to New Zealand to serve an LDS mission. Post-mission, Kaka transferred to BYU and spent a year with the Cougars’ football team playing in four games, but suffered a season-ending injury.

“I can’t wait to get on the field with my Warriors brothers and do battle”

Shortly after recovering from a broken elbow Kaka joined the 5 time National Champion BYU Rugby team. After his first season of official rugby the 6’4, 240 lb flanker was named an All American and in 2017 was called up by the USA Selects who played in Uruguay in October. This past summer Kaka played 7s for the first time with the Rugby Utah Selects and was a strong force for the side as they won back to back Club 7s National Championships.

“Jackson is developing into a really solid player,” said Warriors Head Coach, Alf Daniels. “He’s a very talented all-around athlete. He’s got good eye-hand coordination from basketball and has a toughness and work ethic from training in top college football programs. He’s only started to tap into his full potential. Having only played organized rugby for a few years, he’s picked up the game quickly and it’s no wonder he has caught the eye of national selectors.”

Currently, Jackson Kaka has been keeping himself in top form with his local rugby club, Humless Rugby that currently competes in Rugby Utah’s local Men’s Premier Division. Kaka’s contribution to the Humless rugby club has seen them as top contenders in the local tournament.