USA Eagles captain retires after ten years

NEWS: Concluding 10 years with the USA Men’s Eagles this fall, captain Greg Peterson announced his official retirement from professional rugby.

Peterson competed across 51 international caps and two World Cups since first debuting in 2014, contributing steady veteran leadership with the USA squad over a remarkable tenure and special era for the program.

“It was an incredibly hard decision to make, to step away from the game I’ve known and loved for 28 years of my life, 15 years as a career, and 10 years with the USA Eagles, I believe it is the right time.

“I’ve had plenty of highs and lows with the Eagles, all of them have been critical to my success as a player and a person. I want to thank all the coaches, medical staff, administrative staff, and teammates for your support, guidance, and help throughout my playing career.

“I want to thank my parents, Carl and Diane, for giving me the drive, support, and encouragement and most importantly my wife Tess, without her, all that I achieved wouldn’t have been possible.”

Peterson has been playing rugby since he was five years old, raised in Sydney, and playing high school rugby at The Scots College. Following grade school, Peterson jumped straight into the professional game with the Waratahs and first hit the international radar with the Australian Under-20s during the 2010 & 2011 Junior World Championship.

He continued a promising club career with his first leadership role as captain of the North Harbour Rays during the 2014 Australia National Championship, leading to new opportunities overseas with Leicester Tigers, Glasgow Warriors, Union Bordeaux Bégles, and Newcastle Falcons of the world’s top professional leagues. Peterson closed out his noteworthy club career in the United States as a veteran lock for the San Diego Legion of Major League Rugby in 2024.

Alongside his club progression, 2014 was a benchmark year for Peterson who made his senior national team debut with the USA Eagles against Romania that November. Shortly after debut, he also earned selection to his first of two Rugby World Cup rosters in 2015. Four years later, Greg was also named to the 2019 World Cup roster in Japan.

During his decade-long tenure with the USA Men’s Eagles, Peterson earned 51 test match appearances with 13 of those serving as captain; including his final match, a win over Spain this fall. Since the USA Men’s National Team first debuted in the 1920s, he has finished his playing career as one of only 12 Men’s Eagles to surpass the 50-cap mark, commemorating a valued commitment to the USA Eagles program and players.

As a veteran within the young squad in 2024, Peterson’s captaincy was instrumental in the program’s upward trajectory that will see the USA head into Rugby World Cup qualification next year.

“The next step is daunting, yet exciting and I believe my career as a player has given me some incredible skills and experiences to prepare for it. The growth and interest in rugby within the US is incredibly exciting. With the people USA Rugby has in charge, the men’s and women’s 15s and Sevens will have incredible opportunities. Bigger games on bigger stages inspire the nation’s untapped love for this game and its next generation of players. It has been a privilege to play a small role in something beautiful to come.”