The LA Giltinis signed Auckland-based Jordan Trainor as a goalkicking fullback for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 25-year-old fullback, who has played wing, (26 in January) is 6’1″ and 195 lbs.
Jordan is from Auckland, New Zealand, and attended St. Peter’s College where he played rugby. He also played for Auckland’s U18s. He then attended the University of Waikato, after receiving the Sir Edmund Hilary Scholarship. While there he played with Fraser Tech Rugby Club.
He is a former New Zealand Under-20s player that played one match in the 2016 World Rugby U20s Championship in England.
In 2015-2016 he made 11 appearances in the Ranfurly Shield and the Mitre 10 Cup with Waikato. In 2016 he was signed to the Blues wider training group ahead of the Super Rugby season, but an injury postponed his inclusion until the 2017-2018 season. Since 2017 he played with Auckland.
LA Giltinis Comments
Giltinis backs coach Orene Ai’i was pivotal in organizing the Trainor deal because of his connections with Auckland rugby.
The one-season deal in Major League Rugby will benefit Trainor, the Giltinis, and Auckland because he is contracted to return to New Zealand late next year.
Trainor is eager to get good rugby under his belt after being starved of it in 2021 when a resurgence of COVID-19 in NZ’s largest city meant Auckland played just two of their scheduled 10 games.
“I played no regular footy in Auckland this year with the lockdowns so I’m very keen to get back out on the field after training for six months,” Trainor said from Auckland.
“That’s one reason and, from the outside, I also see the Giltinis as a pretty classy team with a good culture.
“They’ve scored some very good tries. I like being involved in that attacking style of the game plan. “I’ll also get the chance to pick the brains of coaches likes Adam Ashley-Cooper, who has played the game at the highest level.”
Trainor shared in Auckland’s 2018 trophy win with Marco Fepulea’i, the prop who won a Championship for the Giltinis in 2021.
“He’s probably the only face I know so it will be good to connect with Marco,” Trainor said.
With Scotsman Glenn Bryce now retired, Trainor’s footwork and speed will be an excellent asset at fullback or as utility cover for the Giltinis backline.
Giltinis head coach Stephen Hoiles strongly believes a seasoned fullback like Trainor will be a major plus for the team in 2022.
“Jordan had this option to play between seasons with Auckland and he’s a really good pick-up for us,” Hoiles said.
“It’s good to have experience at No.15 and he’ll bring a dynamic game to the position. He’s got added versatility to help the team out in other positions too.”
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