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Austin celebrated their new life as the Gilgronis on Friday evening in winning fashion. The newly-renamed franchise closed out the books on the Major League Rugby preseason with a 69-0 result over the Austin Blacks. It was a debut double as the MLR side played at Bold Stadium for the first time.
The Gilgronis took a 21-nil halftime lead before piling on another 48 unanswered points in the second. Alex Faison-Donahoe, Zinzan Elan-Puttick, and Corey Jones were among those that touched down in the 11-try performance. Austin Huns flanker JP Novak and former Baylor captain and center Stewart Morris were given opportunities off the bench.
With Rugby United New York holding a scrimmage against the New York Barbarians at Wagner College tonight, all 12 MLR teams have completed their warm-up fixtures. The regular season kicks off next Saturday, February 8, with the Houston SaberCats hosting the Colorado Raptors in the Year 3 opener.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 LaRome White, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 3 Juan Echeverria, 4 Rikus Zwart, 5 Maikeli Naromaitoga, 6 Potu Leavasa, 7 Dominic Akina, 8 Lino Saunitoga, 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 10 Zinzan Elan-Puttick (capt.), 11 Alex Faison-Donahoe, 12 Sione Fangaiuiha, 13 Peni Tagive, 14 Rodrick Waters, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Replacements: 16 Chris Schade, 17 Phil Hanson, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 JP Novak, 20 Colby Stevens, 21 Gabe Farley, 22 Stewart Morris, 23 Corey Jones
