AG Rugby Set for Saturday Night Clash with Defending League Champions LA Giltinis
February 28, 2022 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Austin Gilgronis News Release
AG Rugby is 4-0 on the season and returns home to face the defending MLR champions, the LA Giltinis, this Saturday night at Bold Stadium.
It's Pride Night at Bold Stadium and the AGs are expecting a franchise-record crowd on hand to rally around Central Texas' LGBTQIA+ community and the undefeated AGs in what should be a night full of fun and community unity. Gina Chavez is performing pre-match!
Get out to the match early to participate in all the pre-match activities!
Run of Show
5:30 Gates Open
Youth inflatables, Armadillo Racing, Food and Concessions in the Grand Plaza!
5:50 Youth Flag Rugby Kicks off by the pond!
6:00 - Live Music by Gina Chavez
7:00 - Kickoff!
Post-match fireworks!
AG Players To Watch Out For:
Julian Dominguez
Dominguez is this month's Ascension Seton Ascending Player and will certainly be a top candidate for MLR's Player of the Month. He's the leading try scorer in Major League Rugby with four tries through four matches. He was picked to MLR First XV of the Week in week 1 and then followed that up with two tries against Old Glory in Week 2. He added a fourth try to the tally last week, and every match he proves to be one of the most dangerous ball carries in the league.
Lachlan McCaffrey
In 2021, McCaffrey was a huge addition when he joined the team in April last season. He rejoined the team in Round 3 against Utah and yet again injected a high-level professionalism, leadership, and incredible on-field talent into the team. He's come off the bench so far through two matches but it's only a matter of time before he cracks into the starting lineup and has a Man of The Match performance like he did in 2021 against San Diego.
Dom Akina
Akina is another AG that's made his impact off the bench this season. But that impact has been massive. Against Utah, he scored a 60-meter try after being on the field for less than a minute. Then he followed that performance up, with another week of strong carrying against Seattle which wore down the Seawolves' defense and helped the AGs crack through for a second-half victory on the road. We've seen Akina sub in at both inside center and outside center on the season so far, which leaves the opposition guessing when they look to prepare for his pace.
Giltinis Players To Watch Out For:
Dave Dennis
Dave Dennis has been the talismanic leader for the LA Giltinis since their inception. While his leadership may have been overshadowed in 2021 by the big-name flash of Matt Giteau and Adam Ashley Cooper, Dennis has been very much front and center for this team in 2022. The Giltinis go as Dennis commands it, and he'll certainly be in the referee's ear all night long.
Billy Meakes
Meakes had an exceptional 2021 season with Giteau and Ashley Cooper on either side of him in 2021 and has evolved his game in 2022 as a shot caller in the LA attack. LA's attack features Meakes heavily yet again, but in new innovative ways that contract his direct style from a year ago. The AGs must get to Meakes early.
Angus Cottrell
This guy is a machine. He is a force on both attack and defense with an engine that never slows. Cottrell was a front-runner for league MVP all year long last season until an untimely suspension took him out for a couple of matches late in the season. Cottrell gave the AGs fits when he came to Austin last season with his classic pick and go move right over the ruck. Watch out for Cottrell to leave his mark on this match.
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Major League Rugby Stories from February 28, 2022
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- AG Rugby Set for Saturday Night Clash with Defending League Champions LA Giltinis - Austin Gilgronis
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