LA Giltinis Hosts Rugby New York

LA Giltinis hosts Rugby New York on Sunday, April 10 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. The kickoff is at 4 pm ET with the Giltiinis Academy playing the American Raptors in a preliminary match. Tickets are available, and for those who can’t attend, the match will be streamed internationally on The Rugby Network and broadcast on Fox Sports 2 as well as on Bally Sports Socal.

Both teams are in third place in their respective conferences with the Los Angeles Giltinis having a 5-3 record and 24 points, which is 2 and 4 points behind San Diego Legion and Austin Gilgronis in the Western Conference. Rugby New York’s record is 6-2 with 30 points and trails Rugby ATL by point differential and the New England Free Jacks with a 7-1 record and 33 points entering the weekend.

LA Giltinis

The Giltinis won the MLR Shield last year, but their undefeated start in 2021 was halted when the team played at Cochrane Field in Jersey City. This year’s match takes place at home with the team having three consecutive wins.

The team utilizes ball movement to create overlaps, with support runners ready to take inside-ball. Their attack challenges even the best teams and the use of tactical kicking tires to gain an advantage in their opponents’ territory.

The LA Giltinis had three players selected to the Week 9 MLR First XV. They are loosehead prop Andrew Tuala, lock Luke White, and scrumhalf Tas Smith.

Head Coach Steven Hoiles has made six changes in the starters with Djustice Sears-Duru and Charlie Abel, the props, and Hanco Germishuys at No.8. Harrison Goddard is the scrumhalf, Adam Channel the left-wing, and Ben LeSage the outside center with Billy Meakes shifting to inside-center.

Reserve changes include Andrew Tuola shifting from Loosehead prop to Hooker, Les Leuluaialii-Makin at Loosehead, and Marco Fepulea’i at tighthead. Thomas is a lock and Tom Mitchell can cover wing or fullback.

Billy Meakes is first in the league in meters made with 868, and Hanco Germishuys is among the league try scorers with 5 tries.

Rugby New York

Rugby New York has had the best road record in the league and is 4-0 this year. While the travel between coasts can be grueling, expect New York to be up to the task of facing a quality Giltiinis team. Expect a fast-paced high scoring match with quick ball movement.

New York has two of the MLR try leaders in wings Ed Fidow and Andrew Coe, with 4 tries apiece. The team is also dangerous from short-range, often scoring from mauls. Both lineouts and scrums are strengths, as well as creating turnovers at the breakdown.

The team will need to minimize handling errors and penalties which have stopped scoring opportunities.

Head Coach Marty Veale has made four changes in the starters with Kaleb Geiger and Kalolo Tuisoma at hooker and tighthead prop, respectively. Kara Pryor returns at No.8 and Conor McManus is at scrumhalf. Jack Heighton also returns to the matchday squad in the reserves.

Last week, Jason Emery was selected for the Week 9 MLR First XV. Ed Fidow is third in the league in carrying meters with 709.