Giltinis Fly High with Bonus Point Win in Seattle
March 26, 2022 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
LA Giltinis News Release
A stunning two-try effort from USA Eagle Joe Taufete'e steamrolled the LA Giltinis to their biggest win of the season on Saturday outside Seattle.
The 31-12 victory over the in-form Seattle Seawolves improved the Giltinis' record to 4-3, just outside the top three in the super-competitive Western Conference.
Hooker Taufete'e showed why he has become an instant cult hero for Major League Rugby in just his third game since a mid-season release from French club Lyon.
His giant rumbling 267lb (121kg) frame completed a lineout drive for his first Giltinis' try and a 12-0 lead at the 23-minute mark.
It was his second which settled the direction of the match at Starfire Stadium, at Tukwila just south of Seattle. He mauled the ball off teammate Will Chambers and went on an unstoppable 18m run to the tryline to open the second half.
"Big Joe" revealed post-match he had finally found his legs after the jetlag and family shift from France to Los Angeles earlier this month.
His strength in the improved Giltinis scrum and a key poach at the breakdown to save a tricky situation in defence were other shades to the 36-Test forward.
It was an impressive afternoon from the Giltinis. Winger Chambers had his best game for the club, No.8 Hanco Germishuys made powerhouse metres with his ball running and the Giltinis' defence kept the Seawolves tryless for the opening 62 minutes.
At flyhalf, Orene Ai'i clearly outpointed Seawolves opponent AJ Alatimu, the master of the aimless punt. "That was a really good win on the road and I'm most pleased some of our new guys had their best games for us," head coach Steve Hoiles said."We'd only heard what Big Joe could do until he arrived a few weeks ago. He was massive and Hanco was very impressive. Will Chambers did some great things too. He's played a lot of football over many years but this is a still a new team for him and he's now getting more familiar with his role."I still shake my head at what 'Rens' (Ai'i) is doing at 42. If anything, we are seeing improvements physically at that age so his body is able to do the things he always sees clearly on the field."
The Giltinis led 12-0 after a physical and competitive first half that was far closer that the scoreboard suggested.
The Seawolves crossed for two "tries" but both were overturned by the referee after closer examination by the TMO found a foot in touch and a knock-on.
The match was only two minutes old when the Giltinis had to dig deep to repel a spirited Seawolves attack. Flyhalf Ai'i made the trysaving tackle in cover defence to bowl two-time Olympic sevens representative Martin Iosefo over the sideline.
At the 12-minute mark, Germishuys showed his great strength and knack to stay on his feet when he smuggled a ball from the breakdown. He rumbled 20m through three players to score his fifth try of the season.
Midway through the first half, the Giltinis applied the pressure from a 5m lineout. From the mauling drive that followed, Taufete'e stayed patient until the right moment to crash over for the try.
Prop Djustice Sears-Duru enjoyed his first match against his former Seawolves teammates. He had a strong run midway through the first half and was rock solid in a superior scrum.
Inside centre Luke Burton was impressive in defence.
Ai'i's ageless class, at 42, nearly produced a try midway through the second half when an artful show-and-go, with the ball in two hands and a change of pace, put backrower Nathan Den Hoedt into a gap.
Fullback Jordan Trainor scored at the 67-minute mark when Chambers created an opportunity with a diagonal run across field and a deft flick pass.
At flyhalf, Orene Ai'i clearly outpointed Seawolves opponent AJ Alatimu, the master of the aimless punt.
The Giltinis led 12-0 after a physical and competitive first half that was far closer that the scoreboard suggested.
The Seawolves crossed for two "tries" but both were overturned by the referee after closer examination by the TMO found a foot in touch and a knock-on.
The match was only two minutes old when the Giltinis had to dig deep to repel a spirited Seawolves attack. Flyhalf Ai'i made the trysaving tackle in cover defence to bowl two-time Olympic sevens representative Martin Iosefo over the sideline.
At the 12-minute mark, Germishuys showed his great strength and knack to stay on his feet when he smuggled a ball from the breakdown. He rumbled 20m through three players to score his fifth try of the season.
Midway through the first half, the Giltinis applied the pressure from a 5m lineout. From the mauling drive that followed, Taufete'e stayed patient until the right moment to crash over for the try.
Prop Djustice Sears-Duru enjoyed his first match against his former Seawolves teammates. He had a strong run midway through the first half and was rock solid in a superior scrum.
Inside centre Luke Burton was impressive in defence.
Ai'i's ageless class, at 42, nearly produced a try midway through the second half when an artful show-and-go, with the ball in two hands and a change of pace, put backrower Nathan Den Hoedt into a gap.
Fullback Jordan Trainor scored at the 67-minute mark when Chambers created an opportunity with a diagonal run across field and a deft flick pass.
LA GILTINIS 31
Tries: Joe Taufete'e (23 min,44), Hanco Germishuys (12 min), Jordan Trainor (67), penalty try (75)
Conversions: Luke Burton (12, 67)
Defeated
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES 12
Tries: James Malcolm (62), Lauina Futi (76)
Conversions: Kieran Joyce (62)
HALF-TIME: 12-0 Giltinis
VENUE: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila, Washington
Major League Rugby Stories from March 26, 2022
- Seattle Fall to Los Angeles, Head into BYE Week for Round 9 - Seattle Seawolves
- Info Pack: LA Giltinis First Take on the Dallas Jackals - LA Giltinis
- Giltinis Fly High with Bonus Point Win in Seattle - LA Giltinis
- Sheridan, Du Toit in Line for Season Debuts as Arrows Travel to New York - Toronto Arrows
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