LA Giltinis

The LA Giltinis are a Major League Rugby team based in Los Angeles, California, United States. The team was announced in 2020 and entered the league in the 2021 season as an expansion franchise. The Giltinis, named for a yet-to-be-released cocktail, are owned by Adam Gilchrist and Loyals Rugby.[1] It is based in El Segundo, California and currently plays at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Darren Coleman was announced as the head coach.[2]

LA Giltinis
FoundedMay 28, 2020
Ground(s)Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum/SoFi Stadium (Capacity: 77,500/70,240)
CEOAdam Gilchrist
Coach(es)Stephen Hoiles
Captain(s)Dave Dennis
League(s)Major League Rugby
2021Champions
1st (Western Conference)
Official website
giltinis.com

History

A potential Los Angeles expansion bid for MLR, led by LA Coast Rugby, was announced in 2018 with plans for the team to enter the league in 2019.[3] The team's bid was later replaced by a new proposal from Loyals Rugby, who were announced as the winners of the expansion team in 2020.[1][2] The team, named for a cocktail like the Austin Gilgronis, began play in 2021.[1] In its first season, the Giltinis posted a 12–4 record, hosted, and defeated Rugby ATL in the MLR final, winning the shield.

Stadium

The Giltinis play at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, a multi-use stadium in Exposition Park, Los Angeles.[4]

Sponsorship
Season Kit manufacturer Shirt sponsor
2021–present Paladin Sports None

Roster
For player movements before and during the 2022 season, see List of 2021–22 Major League Rugby transfers § LA Giltinis.

The LA Giltinis squad for the 2022 Major League Rugby season is:[5]

Note: Flags indicate national union as has been defined under WR eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-WR nationality.

Player Position Union
Lindsey Stevens Hooker Canada
Joe Taufeteʻe Hooker United States
Andrew Tuala Hooker Australia
Charlie Abel Prop Australia
Fred Apulu Prop Samoa
Marco Fepulea'i Prop Samoa
Leslie Leuluaʻialiʻi-Makin Prop Australia
Djustice Sears-Duru Prop Canada
Nathan Den Hoedt Lock Australia
Dave Dennis (c) Lock Australia
Sam Peri Lock United States
Corey Thomas Lock Canada
Luke White* Lock Australia
Adam Ashe Back row Scotland
Zach Bonte Back row United States
Cyrille Cama Back row United States
Angus Cottrell Back row Australia
Hanco Germishuys Back row United States
Langilangi Haupeakui Back row United States
Christian Poidevin Back row Australia
Player Position Union
Harrison Goddard Scrum-half Australia
Cristian Rodriguez Scrum-half United States
Tas Smith Scrum-half United States
Orene Ai'i Fly-half New Zealand
Luke Carty Fly-half United States
Matt Giteau Fly-half Australia
Luke Burton Centre Australia
Will Chambers Centre Australia
Ben LeSage Centre Canada
Bill Meakes Centre Australia
Adam Channel Wing United States
Brooklyn Hardaker Wing Australia
Ryan James Wing United States
Kahanu Koi Wing United States
D'Montae Noble Wing United States
John Ryberg Wing United States
D. T. H. van der Merwe Wing Canada
Tom Mitchell Fullback England
Jordan Trainor Fullback New Zealand
  • Senior 15s internationally capped players are listed in bold.
  • * denotes players qualified to play for the United States on dual nationality or residency grounds.
  • MLR teams are allowed to field up to ten overseas players per match.

Head coaches

Assistant coaches

Captains

Records

LA Giltinis won the Major League Rugby Championship Shield in their inaugural season (2021).

Honors

2021 season

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
March 20New England Free JacksHomeWon, 42–27
March 28Seattle SeawolvesHomeWon, 57–26
April 10Toronto ArrowsAwayWon, 43–16
April 17Houston SaberCatsAwayWon, 48-33
April 24San Diego LegionHomeWon, 45-17
May 1Old Glory DCHomeWon, 47-17
May 8Rugby United New YorkAwayLost, 16-18
May 15Utah WarriorsHomeWon, 38-27
May 19Austin GilgronisAwayWon, 17-3
May 29Rugby ATLAwayLost, 12-17
June 13Houston SaberCatsHomeWon, 52-5
June 20San Diego LegionAwayWon, 19-13
June 27Seattle SeawolvesAwayWon, 29-14
July 4New Orleans GoldHomeLost, 20-21
July 10Austin GilgronisHomeWon, 31-17
July 17Utah WarriorsAwayLost, 29-34

Post season
DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
July 25Utah WarriorsHomeWon, 17-13
July 31Rugby ATLHomeWon, 31-17

2022 season

Regular season
DateOpponentHome/AwayResult
February 5Houston SaberCatsAwayLost, 11-21
February 11Toronto ArrowsAwayWon, 31-16
February 27New England Free JacksHomeWon, 19-15
March 5Austin GilgronisHomeLost, 9-22
March 13Utah WarriorsHomeLost, 19-28
March 19San Diego LegionHomeWon, 26-13
March 26Seattle SeawolvesAwayWon, 31-12
April 3Dallas JackalsAwayWon, 47-7
April 10Rugby United New YorkAwayWon, 43-0
April 16Houston SaberCatsAwayWon, 17-12
April 30Rugby ATLHomeWon 31-19
May 8Austin GilgronisAway
May 15San Diego LegionHome
May 21Dallas JackalsHome
May 28Utah WarriorsHome
June 5Seattle SeawolvesAway

References
  1. Pengelly, Martin (June 1, 2020). "Major League Rugby announces LA Giltinis, second team named for a drink". The Guardian. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  2. "Major League Rugby Officially Welcomes the LA Giltinis" (Press release). Major League Rugby. May 28, 2020. Retrieved May 28, 2020.
  3. Carroll, Rory (July 11, 2018). "Los Angeles to get professional rugby team in 2019". Reuters. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  4. "Meet The Giltinis: LA's New Rugby Team to Open Play At Coliseum March 20". CBS Los Angeles. February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
  5. "LA Giltinis". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  6. "MLR Champion Adam Ashley-Cooper Swoops into Coaching Role".
  7. https://giltinis.com/news/team-news/giltinis-unveil-new-look-rugby-and-commercial-department-for-2022


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