Old Glory DC re-signed Dylan Taikato-Simpson for the remainder of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The 31-year-old fullback is 5’10” and 190 lbs.
In 2020 he joined Old Glory DC and played 400 minutes in 5 matches as a starter. Following the conclusion of the season, he played wing for Easts Tigers in Australia, who won the 2020 championship of the Premier Rugby competition hosted by Queensland Rugby Union.
In 2019 he started in 15 of the 16 games for the Glendale Raptors and was a key player for the team. “He was selected to multiple 2020 MLR 1st XV teams. He had 527 kicking meters between 14 kicks and 276 running meters. On offense, he managed five offloads, three line breaks, and seven tackle-breaks.
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
Old Glory DC knows supporters will be thrilled to welcome Dylan Taikato-Simpson back to the squad for the remainder of the 2021 Major League Rugby season. The electrifying Taikato-Simpson, nicknamed “DTS,” became a favorite with MLR and Old Glory fans during the 2020 season as the team’s fullback and “last line of defense.”
“Dylan coming back to Old Glory will add experience and excitement to our squad,” said Head Coach Andrew Douglas. “He is excited about returning and completing the job he started last season. Dylan’s ability to beat defenders and create space for others will give OG’s attack another dimension.”
On coming back to Old Glory, Dylan Taikato-Simpson is overjoyed to be returning to Old Glory after a short hiatus. On his arrival, he said, “After the disappointment of last season being cut short, I’m excited at the opportunity to return to Old Glory DC to finish what we started in 2020.”
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