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Utah Warriors

Warriors Name 2024 Player Leadership Group

December 15, 2023 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Utah Warriors News Release


HERRIMAN, Utah - The Utah Warriors have named their player leadership group for the 2024 season. The leadership group will consist of a club captain, team captain, and two vice captains.

"As head coach of the Utah Warriors l am delighted with the quality of people involved in the 2024 player leadership group," said Greg Cooper, head coach of the Utah Warriors. "The new role of club captain couldn't go to a more deserving and respected person as Paul Lasike. The influence of Paul, Bailey, Joel and Caleb will be critical to the success of the team this coming season."

Paul Lasike has been named club captain and in addition to being a key contributor on the field, he will be the team's key leader off the field. Lasike is Warrior #1, as the first player to sign with the Warriors in the MLR's inaugural season in 2018. After an impressive season in 2018, he signed with the Harlequins of Premiership Rugby where he made 29 appearances before returning to the Warriors in 2022. Lasike has also played for the USA Eagles over multiple seasons.

Bailey Wilson will act as team captain, leading the Warriors on the rugby field. Wilson will begin his fifth season with the team this year. He has been a part of Warriors leadership since 2021, serving as captain during the 2021, 2022 and 2023 seasons. Originally from Sydney, Australia, he moved to Utah at age 14 and made his debut with the USA Eagles this fall.

Joel Hodgson and Caleb Makene will be the squad's vice captains and will be supporting leaders to the team captain on the field. Hodgson joined the Warriors in 2023 and quickly stepped into a key role on the team. He is originally from Newcastle, England and came to Utah with over 100 appearances in Premiership Rugby. Makene has been with the Warriors since 2022 and has started in all of Utah's games since joining the squad. He is a New Zealand native and has played with the Hawkes Bay Magpies as well as New Zealand's U20s squad.

The announcement of the team's leadership group comes as Utah's coaching staff works to finalize the 2024 roster. More information on the coming season will be announced via warriorsrugby.com and the Warriors' social media channels.

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