Glendale Raptors Sign Dylan Takaito-Simpson

Glendale Raptors signed Dylan Takaito-Simpson for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. Dylan is 28-years-old, 5’9″, and 190 lbs. He was a member of the Australia Sevens training squad, and has played professionally in Australia, New Zealand, Romania, Scotland, and Italy.

Dylan lives in Auckland, New Zealand and has been employed as a recruitment consultant, while playing for the 2018 Waikato Development Squad and for Hautapu in the Waikato Premier Club competition.

Dylan attended Tauranga Boys College in Tauranga, New Zealand from 2003-2006. He then moved to Australia and attended Keebra park High School in Southport from 2006-2008. He also has a Certificate in Fitness, Health, and Physical Education from TAFE Queensland Brisbane (2009-10) and a Business Diploma from TAFE Queensland Gold Coast RTO in 2011.

Dylan is an accomplished rugby fullback, playing for the Australia Under-20s and the Mosquitoes in the 2010 Hottest Sevens, which led to his selection for the Aussie Sevens training squad. He played for the Australian Barbarians, Brumbies A, Melbourne Rebels A, for the Brothers, 2012 Queensland City Representative side, and for West Harbour in the 2013 and 2014 Shute Shield.

Dylan played with CSM Olimpia Bucharest in 2014 and with Sterling County of the Scottish BT Premiership in 2015-2016 season. In 2016 he was also selected to play for the Glasgow Warriors Sevens for the 125th Gala Sevens and for the Melrose Sevens.

Dylan then signed with Rugby Viadana for the 2016-2017 Italian Eccellenza season. Since then, he returned to Auckland, New Zealand and played with Hautapu and for the 2018 Waikato Development Squad.

Dylan brings international experience and leadership to the Glendale Raptors for the 2019 Major League Rugby season. He is an accomplished fullback, but can play wing or flyhalf.

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DJCoil Rugby articles by Doug Coil are also available on Facebook. Other Social Media sites to follow or subscribe include Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube for interviews.

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North American Rugby News With A USA Slant