Old Glory DC signed full-back Dylan Taikato-Simpson for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. In 2019 he started in 15 of the 16 games for the Glendale Raptors and was a key player for the team.
Dylan is 29-years-old, 5’10″, 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 the 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 Old Glory DC for the 2020 Major League Rugby season. He is an accomplished fullback but can play wing or flyhalf.
Old Glory DC Comments
“I’m really looking forward to joining Old Glory for the upcoming season,” Dylan Taikato-Simpson shares. “I’m excited for the challenges ahead – new city, new team but the same goal – to hold that shield at the end. Hopefully, we can bring some really entertaining rugby to Washington DC.”
Coach Andrew Douglas welcomes Dylan Taikato-Simpson to the squad, adding “Everyone at Old Glory is extremely excited to have Dylan in OG colors for the 2020 MLR season. He is one of the most exciting attacking players in the league with his speed and footwork.” Douglas also mentions that while Taikato-Simpson’s athleticism may have caught the eyes of Old Glory DC, his disposition made him stand out. Douglas continues, “… More importantly, I have been impressed with Dylan’s character – a humble, intelligent man on top of great athleticism. It will be great for him to play in front of his family members who are based here in DC as well.”
Coach Andrew Douglas and Dylan Taikato-Simpson share the Old Glory DC values of growing the game and strengthening our community. “I have been in constant contact with Andrew Douglas, and in the forefront of our conversation, has always been around building up a good club culture, not just our team but also with our community,” Dylan Taikato -Simpson said in a statement. “If we are able to set that foundation, it will bring us closer to achieving our ultimate goal.”
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