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The Austin MLR team have rebranded and fans can't get over the absurd new name
By Tom Vinicombe
Throughout the history of professional sports there have been a host of unusual, surprising and downright absurd names.
The Austin Major League Rugby team - known as the Elite from 2017 to 2018 and then as the Herd last year - may have now taken the cake for the strangest name ever conceived.
As announced earlier today, last year's cellar-dwelling MLR side will henceforth be known as the Austin Gilgronis.
Most people won't recognise the nickname, primarily because it's a word that doesn't actually exist as yet.
Continue reading below...
According to the MLR website, the Gilgronis are named after a "new Texas-sized cocktail, to be released soon".
Fans have understandably taken to Twitter to divulge their opinions on the new moniker - and the consensus seems to be swaying towards the negative at present.
Here's what's been said:
American sports teams, in particular, have a history of running with somewhat peculiar nicknames. The Gilgronis will now join the long list of somewhat ill-thought names such as the Cleveland Browns, Green Bay Packers, San Francisco 49ers, Philadelphia 76ers and San Antonio Spurs.
Terrible name aside, the Gilrgonis also announced a number of excellent initiatives to help grow rugby in Austin, including:
- Paying for every youth players’ annual fees;
- Capping ticket sales at $5 per person for families;
- Sponsoring the U16, U18, and U20 teams to travel nationally as they strive to win their respective national championships;
- Providing all uniforms, boots, and training kits to youth at a wholesale price to make the sport more affordable. No jersey will cost more than $25.
Loyals LLC, who have taken over the franchise, have brought in former All Blacks skills coach Mick Byrneas as the teams' head of rugby and will be aiming to improve the Gilgronis' standing in the league.
The full press release can be read here.
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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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