The LA Giltinis have landed one of Australia’s top young scrumhalves for the 2021 Major League Rugby season. Harrison Goddard follows fellow Shute Shield champion Mahe Vailanu to California where he will reunite with coach Darren Coleman at the expansion side.
At just 22 years old Goddard has already accomplished much in his career. He debuted in the Shute Shield at the age of 18 with Randwick, and a year later earned his first Super Rugby cap with the Rebels at just 19. That same year he was first choice for Australia’s entry in the World Rugby u20 Championship and one of the competition’s leading points scorers with 56 in just five games.
Goddard was called up to the Australia side for the 2018 Hong Kong Sevens while also playing for the Rebels. A third Super Rugby campaign followed in 2019, but he was a surprise omission from the squad in 2020 with the Rebels signing Fiji international Frank Lomani.
After a standout campaign with Gordon in the Shute Shield, many were tipping a return to Super Rugby in 2021 but Goddard has instead opted for a change of scenery. He joins US Eagles cap Nick Boyer as scrumhalf options confirmed by LA for their inaugural campaign.