Concluding 10 years with the USA Men’s Eagles this fall, Captain Greg Peterson today announced his official retirement from professional rugby.
Peterson competed across 51 international caps and two Rugby 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 wife Tess, without her, all that I achieved wouldn’t have been possible.”
Peterson has been playing rugby since he was 5 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 New South Wales Waratahs of Super Rugby and first hit the international radar with the Australian U20s during the 2010 & 2011 Junior World Championship. Greg continued a promising club career with his first leadership role as Captain of the North Harbour Rays during the 2014 Australia National Rugby 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, also earned selection to his first of two Rugby World Cup rosters in 2015. Four years later, Greg was also named to the 2019 Rugby 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, Greg finishes 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 rugby player has given me some incredible skills and experiences to prepare for it. The growth and interest of rugby within the US is incredibly exciting. With the people USA Rugby have in charge, the men’s and women’s 15s and sevens will have incredible opportunities. Bigger games on bigger stages to 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.”
