DALLAS, Texas – The Utah Warriors of Major League Rugby selected American International College senior fullback Filimone Manu with the 15th overall pick in the 2025 Major League Rugby Collegiate Draft.

"Ami has shown exemplary dedication and is a true leader on and off the pitch. This is a testament to his work ethic, and we are so proud to see him achieve this dream. He's an example of the talent we'll continue to develop in our AIC Rugby Family. We have no doubt that he will be a success at the professional level and a fantastic representative of AIC," Director of Rugby Jameson Bonti said.

Manu, a native of Hamilton, New Zealand, joined the Yellow Jackets as a sophomore prior to the 2023-24 season, helping AIC to back-to-back Liberty Rugby Conference postseason appearances as well as berths in the NCR National Championship in 2023 and 2024, and in the Collegiate Rugby Championship 7s in the spring seasons of 2024 and 2025.

Manu was named to the 2025 Collegiate Rugby All-Stars Men's National Shield Challenge following his junior 15s season, where AIC went 7-2 and finished ranked seventh nationally in NCR Division I. He scored a try in the championship match of the tournament, helping lead the New England Independents to the crown.

He is the fourth Yellow Jacket taken in the MLR Collegiate Draft since the event began in 2020; Lui Sitama was taken fourth and Tommy Clark was selected ninth in 2020, and Carmen Consolino was selected 30th overall in 2021.

Because the MLR Collegiate Draft, like the NHL Entry Draft, is "draft-and-follow" style, Manu retains his collegiate eligibility. He and the Yellow Jackets open the 2025 Liberty Rugby Conference season on Saturday, September 6 at Siena College, with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff scheduled.