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Report: Giteau to MLR in retirement u-turn

By Ian Cameron
Matt Giteau playing for the Wallabies. (Photo by Mark Nolan/Getty Images)

Storied former Wallaby flyhalf Matt Giteau, who had said 2020 was to be his last year, looks like he might be going to reach for one more season – in the MLR.

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The Sydney Morning Herald report that Giteau is set to join fellow former Wallaby legend Adam Ashley-Cooper, as the pair look to bookend their careers in Los Angeles with new MLR franchise, the LA Giltinis.

Should Giteau make the switch to the new MLR franhise, he will also be working with Stephen Hoiles, who’s been named as an assistant coach at the Giltinis. Hoiles won 16 Wallaby caps and forged a career as rugby commentator with Fox Sports in recent years. Former Top League and experienced Shute Shield coach Darren Coleman has been appointed as head coach.

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Git’s story about Eddie Jones in 2003

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Git’s story about Eddie Jones in 2003

Giteau would follow in the footsteps of a growing number of big names taking the plunge in the new competition, which has already attracted the likes of Chris Robshaw, Matthieu Bastareaud, Tendai Mtawarira and Ben Foden.

It’s would be a turnaround for Giteau, who told RugbyPass in April: “It was always decided that it was going to be my last year.”

The Giltinis would be a good fit for the globe-trotting halfback. Now 37-year-old, he has spent the last three season with Suntory in the Japanese Top League.  “Even though I’m paid to play sport, it’s always been about the fun and enjoying it,” Giteau told RugbyPass. 

The LA Giltinis made headlines in May with their playful name.  The side, which is the 13th team in the league and the second to be based in California is named after a premium cocktail based on the Martini.

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Based on Venice Beach, the club are in discussions to home fixtures at the 77,000-capacity Los Angeles Coliseum, the host stadium of the 2028 Olympics and the temporary home ground of the NFL’s Los Angeles Rams between 2016 and 2019.

They are owned by Loyals Rugby, who owns the Austin Gilgronis, which re-branded from the Austin Herd earlier this year to be named after “a new Texas-sized cocktail”.

The Giltinis will enter the competition in place of foundation club the Colorado Raptors, who announced its withdrawal from the MLR last month amid the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

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Trevor 1 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

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B
Bull Shark 5 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
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