NEWS

Matt Giteau Joins the LA Giltinis and Puts MLR on the World Stage
The LA Giltinis are delighted to announce a signing coup with rugby superstar Matt Giteau bringing his trophy-winning ways to Los Angeles.
Today’s unveiling is the biggest recruitment news of the off-season for both the go-ahead Giltinis and Major League Rugby’s fourth season.
Wooing Australia’s three-time World Cup star on a one-season deal adds a huge marquee name to the Giltinis’ already-impressive roster of players from seven countries.
It took a fresh, bold rugby vision in LA to hook the Wallabies great.
He had all but decided to retire when his final season for Suntory Sungoliath ended suddenly in March once Japan’s 2020 Top League season was cancelled because of the COVID-19 outbreak.
Giteau’s polished skills at five-eighth and inside centre, as one of the most influential backs of the 21st century, have generated six elite trophies in Australia (Brumbies), France (Toulon) and Japan (Suntory).
One of the game’s all time great, Giteau is excited about his final frontier in rugby.
“Starting a franchise afresh, the history I have with certain players and staff at the Giltinis and the family feel to this adventure were all big things that persuaded me,” Giteau said.
“And I get to live in one of the coolest cities in the world and experience this with my kids at an age when they’ll remember it.
“To be honest, I felt a bit unfulfilled with the way things ended in Japan and it made me think that just retiring because of ‘age’ was selling myself a bit short.
“Like everyone, I felt that moment this year when sport was taken away (because of the pandemic) so I got excited with the LA offer and realised you are a long time retired.”
Giteau’s skilful sparkle earned him the first of his 103 Test caps for the Wallabies in 2002.
He would go on to score 30 tries and 698 points in Tests and live up to his early nickname as “Kid Dynamite” with his silky ball-playing, sharp footwork and smart organising skills.
So talented, the Australian Rugby Union changed their own rules by drafting the so-called “Giteau Law” to select players from outside Australia who had played 60 or more Tests.
He was playing in France when recalled for a stirring comeback at the 2015 World Cup after winning a hat-trick of European Rugby Champions Cups (2013-15) with Toulon.
“I still love to play and compete. What will give me just as much satisfaction is helping to create the identity of the Giltinis and developing the potential in some excellent American and international youngsters for the club’s future,” Giteau said.
“I’ve had a lot of opportunities to speak to (head coach) Darren Coleman about the values he holds dear and how important it is to nurture local American and Canadian players and get them into national teams.
“I feel I know what successful clubs look like…you need strong leaders and you need to establish what you stand for early on and off the field.
“If you stick to those standards it becomes habitual for those who follow in the seasons ahead.
“With good people, you create a family feel at a club and you do more than normal to protect that and not let the club down.
“I’m excited. I know how big sport is in the United States in general and I see Major League Rugby having a real crack to turn the USA into a dominant rugby nation.
“The Giltinis will be out in the LA rugby community to get our fans fully involved.”
Father-of-three Giteau’s close friendship with former Wallaby Adam Ashley-Cooper was a factor too when they both decided to jump into this adventure.
The pair share a business partnership in Backline Wines with retired Wallaby, Drew Mitchell.
As a sign of Giteau’s commitment, he bobbed up in Australian club rugby mid-season in Canberra with Gungahlin Eagles during the COVID-19 restrictions.
He helped guide the club to a first grand final in 13 years, defeated isolation by gelling with a new band of rugby friends and kept his rugby engine purring.
“The Giteau name is world famous and he brings multiple layers to the club in marketability, mentoring for our younger players and an amazing trophy record as a winner,” Coleman said.
“He’s renowned as always being fiercely competitive as a player and trainer and I’m really excited he’s coming to Los Angeles with a fire in his belly to help make the club successful.
“He’s going to be an excellent mentor for young No.10s like Luke Burton, Luke Carty and Jeff Peleseuma in our squad.”
The Giltinis will kick off their MLR campaign on the weekend of March 20, 2021, with tickets being available by the end of this year.
LA Media Contact: media@giltinis.com
Recent Posts

Catching Up with the Rookie of the Year: Dallas Jackals’ Sam Golla
Written by Joe Harvey First overall pick in the 2022 Major League

Gallagher Premiership Rugby Rights Acquired by Major League Rugby’s OTT Platform The Rugby Network
DALLAS (August 20, 2023) – Major League Rugby (MLR) today announced a

Inter Miami CF’s Florida Blue Training Center and the Miami Sharks Rugby Club Strike Landmark Deal
The Professional Rugby Team Secures the AutoNation Sports Field at the Florida

Rugby World Cup France 2023 | Watch Parties
For seven consecutive Fridays, NOLA Gold is making an event of every

Meet The 2023 MLR Draft’s First Overall Pick, Ricky Rose
Written by Joe Harvey | Photos Provided by Rick Rose Ricky Rose
Categories
- Chicago Hounds
- Dallas Jackals
- Expansion
- Games
- Headlines
- Highlights
- Houston SaberCats
- In the News
- League Announcements
- Miami Sharks
- MLR Collegiate Draft
- MLR News
- New England Free Jacks
- New York Ironworkers
- NOLA Gold
- Old Glory DC
- Press Releases
- Rugby ATL
- San Diego Legion
- Seattle Seawolves
- Team News
- Toronto Arrows
- Trades
- Utah Warriors
- Videos
Archives
- September 2023 (5)
- August 2023 (7)
- July 2023 (19)
- June 2023 (43)
- May 2023 (41)
- April 2023 (46)
- March 2023 (28)
- February 2023 (17)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (4)
- November 2022 (7)
- October 2022 (7)
- September 2022 (4)
- August 2022 (3)
- July 2022 (8)
- June 2022 (46)
- May 2022 (71)
- April 2022 (56)
- March 2022 (58)
- February 2022 (55)
- January 2022 (13)
- December 2021 (8)
- November 2021 (10)
- October 2021 (15)
- September 2021 (11)
- August 2021 (17)
- July 2021 (60)
- June 2021 (63)
- May 2021 (67)
- April 2021 (49)
- March 2021 (35)
- February 2021 (14)
- January 2021 (15)
- December 2020 (14)
- November 2020 (7)
- October 2020 (13)
- September 2020 (13)
- August 2020 (11)
- July 2020 (17)
- June 2020 (14)
- May 2020 (8)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (24)
- February 2020 (42)
- January 2020 (13)
- December 2019 (7)
- November 2019 (7)
- October 2019 (9)
- September 2019 (7)
- August 2019 (5)
- July 2019 (11)
- June 2019 (51)
- May 2019 (75)
- April 2019 (88)
- March 2019 (77)
- February 2019 (76)
- January 2019 (51)
- December 2018 (7)
- November 2018 (10)
- October 2018 (8)
- September 2018 (12)
- August 2018 (14)
- July 2018 (10)
- June 2018 (46)
- May 2018 (43)
- April 2018 (34)
- March 2018 (25)
- February 2018 (31)
- January 2018 (37)
- December 2017 (10)
- November 2017 (25)
- October 2017 (25)
- July 2017 (1)
- March 2017 (2)