MAUI LANI — Even heavy rains and flooding could not damper the unprecedented growth of Maui Rugby on Saturday as more than 100 men and 35 women competed in a rugby sevens tournament at Maui Lani Regional Park.

The tournament featured five All-Americans and professional players from Maui, along with players from Kona and Oahu. Players Kina Malafu, E-Jay Fehoko and Solo Anitema helped lead Team Maui to a 19-0 win over Team Marist of Oahu in the final match.

“This is the biggest tournament for sevens we’ve had ever,” Maui Rugby founder Jack Breen said. “It’s also the first time we’ve had a lot of those graduates back playing together.”

While rugby is recognized as one of the fastest growing sports in America, appeal appears to have skyrocketed on the Valley Isle.

Beginning with 10 members in 2007, Maui Rugby has expanded to over 200 members with five regional teams. Eighteen players from the program have reached an age-grade national team, which is a level below the senior men’s and college game.

“That’s a huge number for a little place like this,” Breen said. “Nobody has matched us in terms of the size of our community to the number of people we’ve had make those teams.”

No player has exemplified that growth more than Vili Toluta’u.

The 2012 Baldwin High School graduate signed an extension this week to continue playing for the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby. Earlier this year, Toluta’u was named the Most Valuable Player of the MLR championship series after leading his team to a title in the league’s inaugural season.

He also was the first Mauian to make the national team and aims to play in next year’s World Cup in Japan.

“It all started here,” Toluta’u said. “Back then we didn’t have as much support as we do now. I was blessed enough to play and whatever opportunity I had, I took it. It took me all over the world and opened new doors to college scholarships and got me to where I am now.”

Toluta’u, who leaves for Seattle next week to begin training for his first match in January, could not play Saturday due to his new contract. He has kept busy, though, working as a project engineer for Goodfellow Bros.

Toluta’u graduated from Central Washington University earlier this year with a bachelor’s degree in construction management. He was the first player to receive a rugby scholarship in the school’s history.

“He’s a great, great young man,” Breen said. “We’ve got lots of success stories, but he’s the penultimate.”

While Toluta’u continues his rugby career, others are at a crossroads.

Malafu, who is signed with Austin Elite Rugby, has until January to decide if he wants to continue playing for the club or pursue a career elsewhere. The 24-year-old graduated with a business management degree after a two-time All-American rugby career at Kutztown (Pa.) University.

“It’s hard and I don’t want to bring up money, but the money is not too good when you’re just starting,” he said. “Maybe when my kids or grandkids will have a better chance to make a living. I’m kind of stuck between choosing the sport I love and setting yourself up for your future. It’s a hard balance.”

Pila Taufa, an All-American and USA 7s Eagle member, also has limited time left to make a run for the national team. The 28-year-old played for Saturday’s Lahaina team and figures he has one more shot to play in the World Cup.

Taufa said the Olympic team does not pay players much, but does take care of meals and transportation. He said many players, including himself, send highlight films and tape of their matches to scouts for professional teams around the world.

“Ever since I got this guy it’s been hard,” he said, pointing to his son sitting on his lap. “But I’m still shooting for that goal.”

Taufa said he is in contact with one scout on the national team and will be sending tape from Saturday’s match and a couple others to be considered for a spot.

“This is sort of my last ride,” he said of making the team. “If I make it I’ll just play as much as I can and when I come home I’ll just try to make the game grow here.”

* Chris Sugidono is at csugidono@mauinews.com