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News > Collegians > Rugby Rookie of the Year

Rugby Rookie of the Year

Campbell Robb (Hamilton 2016–2020) has been named the 2026 Major League Rugby Rookie of the Year.
16 Jul 2026
Collegians
Grant Lander (Headmaster 2010-2021) with Campbell Robb in Carolina
Grant Lander (Headmaster 2010-2021) with Campbell Robb in Carolina

Congratulations to Collegian Campbell Robb (Hamilton 2016–2020), who has been named the 2026 Major League Rugby Rookie of the Year after an impressive first season with Anthem Rugby in the United States.

Campbell was selected second overall in the Major League Rugby draft before joining the North Carolina-based professional side. During his rookie season, he scored six tries, earning recognition as one of the competition’s brightest young players.

His news comes after five years at Central Washington University, where he played Division 1 rugby while completing a double degree in entrepreneurship and digital marketing. 

Former St Paul’s Headmaster Grant Lander recently caught up with Campbell while visiting the United States and was impressed by what Campbell had achieved.

“I am so impressed by his drive, self-sufficiency and determination in the USA to do what he can to make the American Eagles side,” Grant says. “I’m very proud of him, both in graduating impressively in his university studies and in his outstanding professional rugby achievements.”

Campbell has since taken another step towards that goal, joining the USA Eagles national team camp ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup in Japan.

“My next goal is to make the 2027 World Cup squad and, from there, continue to play and make the 2031 World Cup in America,” Campbell says.

Six years after leaving St Paul’s, Campbell says rugby has already taken him across 27 US states and four countries. 

St Paul’s looks forward to an exciting future on the rugby stage for Campbell. 


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