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One of the highlights of the weekend will be the fourth edition of the Gilly’s Cup. The LA Giltinis host the Austin Gilgronis in a clash that could well determine who finishes first in the Western Conference. LA are currently nine points back of Austin but have a game at hand and are looking ever more dangerous with each passing week.
It was Austin who proved the better side in March, the first time they have beaten the Giltinis. This looks likely to be the last time the Gilly’s Cup is contested with Austin in the process of being sold by owner Adam Gilchrist, and the franchise certain to be renamed next season.
The Gilgronis have been able to put aside the off-field distraction and focus on results. Since dropping back-to-back matches in mid-March they have won five straight including a convincing performance against the Seawolves in Austin last weekend.
ED. NOTE: At the time of writing the AG’s have not provided a match day roster. The AG lineup has now been added below.
While Austin’s winning streak is impressive, LA have gone one better with six wins on the trot since their upset loss to Utah on March 13. Against ATL last week they dominated the opening half and held on for the victory despite playing half the game with only 14 men. A red card to Hanco Germishuys has cost the back row star three weeks on the sidelines.
Corey Thomas comes in at No8 to fill the gap, with Langilangi Haupeakui making his first appearance of the season on the bench having recovered from a long-term knee injury. The match day roster is otherwise unchanged with Tas Smith and Harrison Goddard retaining their starting roles after impressing against the Ratlers in surprise circumstances.
This promises to be a titanic clash if their March meeting is anything to go on. The form guide is practically even with both at the top of their game. Germishuys is a big loss for LA, but Haupeakui’s return is timely. Austin’s advantage could come at the lineout where they will look to disrupt and take away front foot ball. This is a coin-toss decision that should come down to the final whistle.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 5pm Central, 6pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on Bally Sports SoCal, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
LA GILTINIS
1 Andrew Tuala, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 4 Luke White, 5 Dave Dennis (capt.), 6 Nathan Den Hoedt, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Corey Thomas, 9 Tas Smith, 10 Harrison Goddard, 11 Tom Mitchell, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Stevens, 17 Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 18 Charlie Abel, 19 Langilangi Haupeakui, 20 Cyrille Cama, 21 Luke Burton, 22 Cristian Rodriguez, 23 Will Chambers
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Cam Dodson, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Locky McCaffrey, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 10 Will Magie, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Mason Koch, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 LaRome White, 19 Isaac Ross, 20 Christian Ostberg, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Luke Beauchamp, 23 Chris Mattina
Date: Sunday, May 8
Venue: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Kickoff: 15:00 local (17:00 Central, 18:00 Eastern)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Jack Gohl (Australia) & Tim Lew (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports SoCal, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-03-05 – Austin Gilgronis 22, LA Giltinis 9 (Bold Stadium)
2021-07-10 – LA Giltinis 31, Austin Gilgronis 17 (Memorial Coliseum)
2021-05-19 – Austin Gilgronis 3, LA Giltinis 17 (Bold Stadium)
