Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz Bio
Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz, born 13 June 1996, is a rugby union player who competes as a flanker or number 8. He currently represents Old Glory DC in Major League Rugby (MLR). Although born and raised in Australia, he represents the United States national rugby union team, having qualified through his American-born father.
Standing 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) and weighing 120 kg (18 st 13 lb), Faʻanana-Schultz brings a powerful physical presence to the back row. His career has taken him across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States, and he continues to be a regular starter for Old Glory DC in MLR competition.
Early Life and Background
Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz was born on 13 June 1996 in Ipswich, Queensland, Australia. He grew up in Queensland, where he developed an early interest in rugby union and the physical style of play associated with the position he would later embrace. His American-born father gave him a pathway to international eligibility with the United States, shaping the course of his representative career.
He attended Ipswich Grammar School, where he continued to develop his rugby foundation alongside his secondary education. He later studied at the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney, balancing his academic commitments with an emerging rugby pathway. These formative years in Queensland schooling and university competition laid the groundwork for his progression into higher-level rugby.
Path to Rugby
Faʻanana-Schultz entered the Queensland Reds Academy in 2010 and remained in the system through 2016, working his way through the youth development pathway. He also represented Queensland University during this developmental stage. This period of structured academy play provided him with the technical and tactical grounding required for senior rugby.
In 2016, he joined Southern Districts in the Shute Shield, one of Australia’s premier club competitions. A successful campaign there drew the attention of Super Rugby, and he joined the New South Wales Waratahs on a development contract, although he did not feature in a senior match for the franchise. The experience reinforced his readiness for full-time professional rugby.
Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz Career
Early Career (2015–2017)
While still in the academy system, Faʻanana-Schultz represented Samoa at the under-20 level in 2015, gaining early international experience. He continued his progression in the Shute Shield with Southern Districts through 2017, refining the back-row skills that would define his senior game.
In 2017, he moved to New Zealand and played one match for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship, giving him exposure to a different style of provincial rugby. The same year, his performances earned him a development opportunity with the Waratahs in Super Rugby, providing a valuable step toward full professionalism.
Professional Breakthrough in Japan (2018–2019)
Faʻanana-Schultz made his professional debut in 2018 with the Red Hurricanes in Japan’s Top Challenge League, marking his transition into the senior professional ranks. He adapted quickly to the physical demands of Japanese rugby, becoming a regular contributor in the back row.
He subsequently signed with the Houston SaberCats of Major League Rugby, expanding his career into the American professional landscape. At the end of the 2019 MLR season, he returned to Japan for a spell with the Kurita Water Gush in the Japan Top League, adding further top-flight experience to his résumé.
Old Glory DC Era (2020–Present)
In 2020, Faʻanana-Schultz joined Old Glory DC, one of Major League Rugby’s expansion franchises. He quickly became a fixture in the starting lineup, featuring in every match he was available for during his first two seasons with the club and establishing himself as a mainstay of the team’s forward pack.
His combination of size, mobility, and breakdown work has made him a central figure in the Old Glory DC setup. He has continued to represent the club in MLR competition, contributing consistency and physicality to the team’s forward efforts.
Driving Style and Strengths
Faʻanana-Schultz combines the size of a traditional number 8 with the mobility expected of a modern flanker. He is effective at the breakdown, in contact work, and in ball-carrying scenarios, and his conditioning allows him to play the full match in a high-tempo forward unit.
Notable Events and Milestones
His senior international debut came in 2019 against Canada in the Pacific Nations Cup, where he earned two caps in the competition. Although he was not selected for the 2019 Rugby World Cup, he returned to the USA side in the summer of 2021 and added three more caps, reinforcing his place in the international setup.
Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz Career Wins
Faʻanana-Schultz has built a steady professional career across multiple leagues rather than a series of championship titles, with his progress measured by appearances, contracts, and international recognition. His movement from Australia to New Zealand, Japan, and the United States reflects consistent progression at the professional level.
Old Glory DC Highlights
Since joining Old Glory DC in 2020, Faʻanana-Schultz has been a regular starter and a reliable presence in the forward pack. He has played every match available to him in his early seasons with the club, contributing to the team’s establishment as a consistent MLR outfit.
Other Wins and Performances
Faʻanana-Schultz earned representative honours with Samoa at the under-20 level in 2015, and he has since added senior international caps for the United States from 2019 onward. His stints with Auckland, the Red Hurricanes, Kurita Water Gush, and the Houston SaberCats further underline his breadth of professional experience.
Jamason Faʻanana-Schultz Family
Family Background and Rugby Lineage
Faʻanana-Schultz was raised in Australia by a family with American ties, and his father was born in San Francisco, California. This family connection gave him the eligibility to represent the United States at senior international level, despite his upbringing in Queensland.
Personal Life
Faʻanana-Schultz was born and raised in Ipswich, Queensland, and later pursued university studies at the University of Queensland and the University of Sydney. His career has required him to live across Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and the United States as a professional rugby player.
2025 Season Performance
Faʻanana-Schultz is expected to continue his role as a regular starter for Old Glory DC during the 2025 Major League Rugby season, providing experience and physicality in the back row. His established place in the starting lineup gives the team a reliable forward cornerstone heading into the new campaign.
As a capped USA international with senior appearances since 2019, he remains part of the broader USA Eagles player pool. His continued form at MLR level will influence both Old Glory DC’s playoff prospects and his standing within the United States national team setup.
With the 2025 season underway, Faʻanana-Schultz will be looking to build on his consistent starting record and contribute to a deeper run for Old Glory DC. His combination of size, breakdown work, and ball-carrying ability will remain central to the team’s forward strategy.