Former NFL linebacker Cassh Maluia earns USA Eagles debut in defeat to Canada

Cassh Maluia, a former New England Patriots and Tennessee Titans linebacker, made his Test rugby debut for the USA Eagles in a 16-19 defeat to Canada in Tokyo, starting at inside centre and playing 54 minutes in the Asahi Super Dry Pacific Nations Cup third-place playoff.

Maluia was selected in the sixth round of the 2020 NFL Draft by the Patriots, then coached by eight-time Super Bowl champion Bill Belichick. After a stint at the University of Wyoming, he joined the Titans in August 2021 before switching codes entirely — persuaded by a close friend to try rugby union.

His transition into the fifteen-man game began in earnest with the American Raptors in 2023, followed by a move to Major League Rugby side the Chicago Hounds. He later joined the San Diego Legion, where he shared a roster with former Wallaby Jed Holloway and USA Eagle Tavite Lopeti and earned more consistent first-team minutes.

A strong MLR campaign last season — during which Maluia helped the Legion reach the championship final against Chicago — earned him a place in the USA Eagles squad for the inaugural World Rugby Nations Cup and, ultimately, his Test debut.

“Coming from a football background, you’re used to biding your time,” Maluia said at Tokyo’s Prince Chichibu Memorial Stadium. “When my number was called, I tried my best to answer it.”

On the pitch, Maluia showed glimpses of what drew the Eagles selectors to him. A first carry into Canada’s 22, in which he broke a tackle and made meaningful metres from a set-piece play, was among the highlights of his 54-minute outing. Loosehead prop Fakaosifolau Pifeleti scored shortly after that carry.

Maluia started alongside Dominic Besag in the centre, with Lopeti providing cover from the bench. Despite the narrow defeat, the debutant was measured in his assessment.

“Canada being a good team and all, it was definitely an experience to remember and one I won’t forget,” he said post-match. “We’ll just keep going from here, keep building.”

Maluia had spoken about the prospect of an Eagles debut being a “dream come true” — a goal he has now realised, adding his name to a growing list of athletes who have successfully crossed from American football into international rugby union.