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Rumors swept through the internet over the past week that the Austin Gilgronis are up for sale. The twitter post that reached the masses was from veteran rugby writer Pat Clifton, who also suggested that the team will be renamed and relocated.
Rich new owner names 2 teams after himself, buys title year 1 for his fav. The team he didn’t really want bought it’s way to year 2 dominance. Now owner has sold or is selling the current dominant team named after him, which is entirely likely to be renamed and relocated.
— apatclifton (@ThePatClifton) April 4, 2022
So, is it true? ARN has confirmed that Adam Gilchrist has indeed put the team up for sale. It should be noted that he is also the owner of the LA Giltinis, who were meant to be his only entry. Gilchrist effectively saved the Austin franchise ahead of the 2020 season by agreeing to purchase the team though it was always assumed he would sell at some point down the line.
Since the team is named after Gilchrist himself, one can assume the team will be renamed when a sale is finalised. That doesn’t necessarily mean an end to AG Rugby, however. A potential buyer in Austin reportedly visited the team last week. While the ‘Gilgronis’ are likely on their last legs, could we see the Austin Gorillas? Austin Gladiators? Austin Gunslingers? Or does the team adopt the name and logo of the academy side – the Austin Outlaws? One thing is certain – change is coming.
Meanwhile the AG’s have traded two players to the injury-stricken Dallas Jackals in exchange for a highly-prized international player slot. It gives the Gilgronis greater selection options at the back end of the season and the inevitable playoff run. Second row Campbell Robinson and flanker Asa Carter are the players heading north. The latter was a second-round pick in the 2021 Collegiate Draft while the former joined just ahead of the season. Dallas have also acquired flanker Aaron Cummings on loan from the USA Sevens program. He has been part of the Houston SaberCats academy side, known as Rugby HTX, when not training with the Eagles.
Speaking of the SaberCats, they have called up Alec McDonnell and Trace Bolstad from the HTX roster. McDonnell made his MLR debut with New York in 2020 and covers both loosehead and tighthead prop. Bolstad plays scrumhalf or flyhalf and has previously been on the books for NOLA, but has yet to play in a regular season game. The most notable addition this week is the arrival of Argentina XV veteran Axel Zapata, who gives the team three strong choices at hooker along with Dean Muir and Diego Fortuny. Like his countryman Fortuny, Zapata can also play prop. He captained Olímpia Lions in SLAR last season.
The Arrows have moved to sort out their scrumhalf crisis with the signings of Gordon McRorie and Riley DiNardo. McRorie is approaching his 34th birthday and spent the last two years in Italy. He is a 45-test veteran who played in two World Cups for Canada. DiNardo returns to the Arrows having played 13 games across the 2019 and 2020 seasons. Toronto were already without Ross Braude, Andrew Ferguson, and Cole Brown when Chris Bell was injured last weekend.
New England have confirmed another Canadian signing. As expected Isaac Olson follows Ethan Fryer from the Pacific Pride on a development contract. Olson is just 21 and comes highly rated with the size and athleticism to play either center or wing. He made his test debut against Portugal in November.
Hencus van Wyk might be one-and-done for the San Diego Legion. The South African prop has signed on with the Free State Cheetahs, effective July 1. While they are not part of the United Rugby Championship, they compete in both the Challenge Cup and the Currie Cup which could preclude van Wyk from returning to Major League Rugby in 2023.
Sam Windsor made history this past weekend, becoming the first player to hit 50 starts in MLR. He had already become the 3rd player to hit 50 caps. Incredibly Windsor’s first 49 starts were consecutive and his replacement appearance against NOLA was the first time he had come off the bench in an MLR game.
