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Matt Giteau's Giltinis the latest team disqualified by the MLR
By Liam Heagney
MLR has been rocked by a second disqualification inside a week, the LA Giltinis joining Austin Gilgronis in getting thrown out of the 2022 competition as it reaches the business end of the season. It was Thursday when MLR tweeted that the Gilgronis has been turfed out ahead of the playoffs and that same fate has now happened to the Giltinis, whose star-studded roster is headed by Matt Giteau.
An MLR tweet read: “League Update - Due to a violation of league rules, the LA Giltinis have been disqualified from the 2022 Major League Rugby competition.
“The Houston SaberCats will now host the Western Conference final and play the winner of the Western Conference eliminator between the Seattle Seawolves and San Diego Legion at Starfire Stadium.”
The Giltinis, who were crowned first-time champions in the 2021 MLR final last August, were scheduled to host the Western Conference final on June 19 at the Coliseum in LA against the winner of the SaberCats versus Seawolves eliminator in Houston, but the Legion have instead been handed a knockout lifeline with this latest disqualification.
No reason for the sudden expulsion of the Giltinis was provided by the MLR in its social media announcement. It was the same last Thursday when it announced that the Gilgronis had been disqualified, tournament officials not providing an explanation at the time regarding what rules had been violated.
That statement last week read: “Due to a violation of league rules, the Austin Gilgronis have been disqualified from 2022 post-season play. Championship series fixtures will be announced as they are determined.”
The Gilgronis had appeared to have secured a home semi-final the previous weekend after defeating the Legion 44-28, but that win was in vain.
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Latest Comments
Hopefully Joe stays where he is. That would mean Les, McKellar, larkham and Cron should as well. It’s the stability we need in the state programs. But, if Joe goes, RA with its current financial situation will be forced into promoting from within. And this will likely destabilise other areas.
To better understand some of the entrenched bitterness of those outside of NZ and NSW (as an example 😂), Nic, there is probably a comparison to the old hard heads of welsh rugby who are still stuck in the 1970s. Before the days where clubs merged, professionalism started, and the many sharp knives were put into the backs of those who loved the game more than everyone else. I’m sure you know a few... But given your comparison of rugby in both wales and Australia, there are a few north of the tweed that will never trust a kiwi or NSWelshman because of historical events and issues over the history of the game. It is what it is. For some, time does not heal all wounds. And it is still festering away in some people. Happy holidays to you. All the best in 2025.
Go to commentsNot surprised to see Barretts rating. He has always been a solid defender for the ABs but not particularly effective in attack situations.
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