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MLR side LA Giltinis set to make rugby history at the world's most expensive stadium
The LA Giltinis are set to make history at SoFi Stadium when they host the first-ever rugby match to be held at the newly-built stadium in Inglewood.
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The Venice-based Major League Rugby [MLR] franchise will play the Utah Warriors at the $5.5 billion venue, making it the world’s most expensive stadium, on Saturday [local time].
Construction of the 70,240-capacity stadium – which can be expanded to up to 100,000 for major events, like Super Bowl LVI, which it will host next year – was only completed last September.
Since then, the roofed arena has been the home ground for Los Angeles Rams and the Los Angeles Chargers, both of whom can boast the largest stadium in the NFL (3.1 million square ft) and the league’s first indoor/outdoor stadium.
One of the venue’s marquee features is the Oculus, an ovular, double-sided 4K HDR video board, the first of its kind that is suspended from the roof over the field.
SoFi Stadium is yet to host a rugby match, but that will change this weekend, something of which Giltinis general manager Adam Freier is excited about.
“We are thrilled to be part of history by providing fans of all sports with the opportunity to experience SoFi Stadium for one of the first times,” the former Wallabies hooker said.
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“It’s a wonderful opportunity to showcase to the people of Los Angeles why rugby is the third biggest sporting event in the world, and we have already seen huge interest here in Los Angeles, which many refer to as the sporting capital of the world.”
SoFi Stadium and Hollywood Park managing director Jason Gannon was equally as thrilled to host the Giltinis for the first time in the venue’s brief history.
“We look forward to welcoming guests to SoFi Stadium for our inaugural series of events,” he said.
“SoFi Stadium is slated to host a variety of world-class sporting events in the coming years, and we will continue to add dynamic events like Major League Rugby [MLR] to our list.”
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A limited number of tickets are available for the historic clash, which is scheduled to be held on Saturday at 5pm PT.
The LA Giltinis, headlined by Wallabies centurions Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley-Cooper, currently lead the MLR Western Conference with six wins from sevens matches.
The Utah Warriors, meanwhile, trail the Californian club by seven points in second place on the conference standings.
Comments on RugbyPass
Good decision, very good player but not international quality. But so was Jamison Gibson Park …..
3 Go to commentsLoose forwards always look good going forward and winning. It’s the same loose forwards for the Crusaders and the Canes this year as last year. Too much of the shiny new things getting noticed here while older consistent ones getting bagged. It’s early days. Calm the farm.
5 Go to commentsThanks Nick, and on the money. We tend to be apathetic until something REALLY BAD happens, then we aren't! At least this applies to the Reb players and coach, if not the spectators. They seem to be getting very quick ball at times. Have they altered something, or is it just all of the skills coming together at the right time? It seems almost the opposite of the Reds, who started the season with quick ball, but haven't been showing that in the last 3 losing games. Is it attitude (McDermott hasn't looked “right” to me for 3 weeks), or something else?
29 Go to commentsGood summary. As said, Sevu Reece has been electrifying for the Crusaders. Great try and he has been everywhere. Amazing he is now equal with Caleb Ralph , club record of 52 tries for the Crusaders. That record beckons. Good to see Dallas McLeod getting regular starts at last. A big few weeks are ahead.
5 Go to commentsGood article/interview.As was said Christian Lio-Willie was barnstorming when he came on for the Crusaders. What happened at the end, self-explanatory.Captain fantastic Scott Barrett is due back soon as well, once they are back from Aussie. Great to see Ethan Blackadder back last week.
1 Go to commentsYou must have been watching one team, Andrew - and even then you missed the brightest star in the Chiefs pack - Naitoa Ah Kuoi, 2 turnovers, genuine line-out presence and grunt around the field, and the soft hands of a back.
5 Go to commentsHaha what a crock of sh!t these headlines are. Moorby’s best year was that first. Still doesn’t seem to have the same game about him as when he was fresh but has bounced back well this season to be playing consistent tight accurate footy
3 Go to commentsIt’s even dumber than Bernard Foley not kicking the penalty to touch in the Melbourne Bledisloe in 2022.
3 Go to commentsYes, they are traveling well but it’s early days. The Chiefs were in front with 20 to go while they snatched a last minute win v the Reds. Keep calm.
1 Go to commentsThe failure of the Irish system / rugby playing style to produce their own backs has them looking elsewhere for innovation and flair - not that Jordie has much flair. He’s a converted fullback. The Canes have plenty of other younger options.
9 Go to comments1.Watch Wallace Sititi be the wild card AB. A genuine full time no 8 2. Luke J like Sotutu has not delivered. 3. Chiefs have all the right cattle but badly miss the leadership of Webber. LJ is about as unconvincing as Sam Cane when under the pump. They had the winning of that game in the second half then fell apart.
5 Go to commentsYes the Rebels are showing signs of life because they are literally playing for their live -lihoods and thanks to their Australian attack coach. However they are still playing an essentially dull boring south african style for the rest of the time. And Geoff Parling must be the most useless lineout coach ever. Worse than Steve Hansen even. Interestingly we are starting to see more cheap shots and attempts to get away with cheating by Australian players, now they are being influenced by Joe Schmidt. It was exactly the same when Rennie started out as Wallaby coach and thru his tenure. Trying to teach Australians to play like kiwis doesn’t work, as the last 20 years has conclusively demonstrated. Especially when we are not as good at it as kiwis. Which of course is the whole idea …..
29 Go to commentsGreat signing, not sure where he’ll fit in though. As for him ‘playing alongside RG Snyman, that’s highly debatable given the likelyhood that the latter will spend most of the season on sick leave.
9 Go to commentsWowee!
9 Go to commentsEvery team that has played a game in Africa this Champions Cup season is already out of the competition - including the SA teams. Could be a concidence.
30 Go to commentsthat should offer some experiences for Jordie.
9 Go to commentsJust remember: He is not a winger. Took Ian Foster 2 years to figure that out.
9 Go to commentsExcellent article, Nick. We (your RP colleague Brett McKay and my 8/9 Combo cohost), are going to have LSL on our podcast later this month. He has shown consistent excellence as a leader and lock. I’ll chat with you offline about a line of questioning if you have time. H
29 Go to commentsSo no Irish fan or journalist suggested JGP was as good as DuPont. Then even the guy who supposedly did is from Wales and said JGP would be the best around if it was t for DuPont. Right, so what is this story about again
19 Go to commentsGreat news for the URC. Leinster will always attract top talent. Another huge name added to their stable
9 Go to comments