MLR 2022 Preview – Austin Gilgronis

Such was the rise in quality for the Austin Gilgronis in 2021 it’s almost hard to believe that they actually finished in the lower half of the overall table. It’s a reflection of how competitive the league was last season and how far they have yet to go. Their challenges have been documented on screen recently in the documentary series “Inside The Scrum.”

This is a new year and the team is determined to take the next step from playoff hopefuls to title contenders. With stability in the coaching staff and a strong group of returning players augmented by some impressive new arrivals, Austin looks to be headed into uncharted territory in 2022.

A detailed squad list can be seen here.

 

TEAM HISTORY

YEAR	SEASON	RANK	FINALS
2018	3-5	5 of 7	–
2019	0-16	9 of 9	–
2020	1-3-1	11 of 12	–
2021	9-7	7 of 12	–

Who can forget Austin’s humble beginnings? A founding member of Major League Rugby, the team played as the ‘Elite’ in the undersized Round Rock Multipurpose Complex in their first season and then moved to the cavernous Dell Diamond in the 2019. The latter was the first and only winless season in MLR to date.

The ‘Elite’ moniker was ditched after 2019 and the ‘Herd’ were set to play in 2020, but new ownership – namely Adam Gilchrist – took charge during the preseason and changed everything, including the name. AG Rugby was born and things have been on an upward trajectory ever since.

 

COACHING STAFF

Sam Harris continues as Head Coach in 2021 with Mark Gerrard his right-hand man. Jamie Mackintosh and Isaac Ross were each player-coaches last season. This year Mackintosh looks to be focused on coaching though Ross will keep his playing boots for another season.

 

FRONT ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Jamie Mackintosh Jake Turnbull LaRome White	LH Prop	Faka’osi Pifeleti Jake Turnbull LaRome White
Robbie Coetzee Mason Koch Hugh Roach	Hooker	Robbie Coetzee Mason Koch Hugh Roach
Mason Pedersen Brendan Rams Paddy Ryan	TH Prop	Mason Pedersen Jeffery Steele Namatahi Waa

With Mackintosh stepping away from the pitch the team has recruited new USA cap Faka’osi Pifeleti to fill the gap at loosehead prop. Jake Turnbull and LaRome White make it three experienced campaigners at the position, with USA Selects rep Alex Lopeti also training with the team during the preseason.

It’s the same trio at the hooker position though there are two new names in the academy program. Brandon Asbel was picked up the Collegiate Draft and former Dallas draft pick Levi van Lanen is now making the switch from center to the front row.

Mason Pedersen is the only returnee at the tighthead spot though White also made appearances there last season. Paddy Ryan has now moved to NOLA. Jeffery Steele arrives from the SaberCats and the newest addition is New Zealand Māori select Namatahi Waa, who joins from Hawke’s Bay and debuted in the preseason game against New York.

 

SECOND ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Sebastian de Chaves Cam Dodson Reegan O’Gorman Christian Ostberg Isaac Ross	Lock	Sebastian de Chaves Cam Dodson Christian Ostberg Isaac Ross

Reegan O’Gorman’s departure for New England is the only change here with Sebastian de Chaves returning from a short-term stint with Wasps in the off-season. He starts the year on the disabled list, however, with academy lock Campbell Robinson called up during the preseason as cover. Kyle Breytenbach is also equally comfortable in the second or back row.

 

BACK ROW

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Moe Abdelmonem Dominic Akina Dom Bailey Kyle Breytenbach Maclean Jones	Flanker	Luke Beauchamp Kyle Breytenbach Asa Carter Maclean Jones
Michael de Waal Locky McCaffrey	No8	Michael de Waal Casey McDermott Vai

The AG’s have gone for a bit more size in their back row this season with breakdown specialist Moe Abdelmonem moving to Dallas and tackling machine Dom Bailey off to DC. Dom Akina, meanwhile has returned to his college position of center to take advantage of his explosive pace.

Last year’s SaberCats skipper Luke Beauchamp and draft pick Asa Carter are the new arrivals. Both will be flanker specialists, with Casey McDermott Vai replacing Locky McCaffrey as a specialist No8. Originally from New Zealand, the 6’4″ (1.93m) athlete was a collegiate football player and trained with the Seattle Seahawks before returning to rugby last year with the American Raptors.

 

HALFBACKS

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Pele Cowley Ruben de Haas Sidney Shoop Marcelo Torrealba	Scrumhalf	Pele Cowley Ryan Louwrens Sidney Shoop
Mack Mason Kurt Morath	Flyhalf	Will Magie Mack Mason

Ruben de Haas made his pre-arranged move to Saracens in the English Premiership, while Marcelo Torrealba was released and looks likely to feature in the South American Súper Liga (SLAR) this season. Filling the gap at scrumhalf is Super Rugby veteran Ryan Louwrens, who was most recently playing for Kintetsu Liners in Japan.

There are no real changes at flyhalf though Will Magie looks to be focused mainly on the No10 shirt this season after playing fullback for much of last year. Kurt Morath remains in Texas playing club rugby and could still be an option if injuries arise. Others in the squad who have played flyhalf in MLR previously are Chris Mattina and Zinzan Elan-Puttick.

 

MIDFIELD

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Bryce Campbell Frank Halai Ned Hodson David Still	Center	Dominic Akina Bryce Campbell Chris Mattina Mark O’Keeffe

More punch was desired in the midfield and there are big changes here for Austin. Dom Akina switched to inside center with the Raptors during the off-season and the team brought in outside center Mark O’Keeffe from Rugby ATL. Chris Mattina joins from New York and can play across the backline, and is also a useful goal kicker.

Ned Hodson moved to Dallas while David Still is now playing for the Eagles Sevens side. Frank Halai is no longer with the team and does not appear to have signed elsewhere yet.

 

OUTSIDE BACKS

MLR 2021	POS	MLR 2022
Cole Davis Nick Johnson Conner Mooneyham Rodrick Waters	Wing	Cole Davis Julián Domínguez Conner Mooneyham Caleb Strum
Zinzan Elan-Puttick Will Magie	Fullback	Marcel Brache Zinzan Elan-Puttick

Julian Dominguez has been one of MLR’s top finishers in his two seasons with NOLA, and he will now occupy the left wing for Austin. Conner Mooneyham returns on the right, with Caleb Strum picked up in the Collegiate Draft. Nick Johnson and Rodrick Waters left the team in the off-season.

With Magie moving back to his favored flyhalf spot, it’s Marcel Brache who should line up at No15. He has played center, wing, and fullback for the Eagles and now looks to be settling on the latter. Zinzan Elan-Puttick is an original member of the team and former captain who prefers fullback but, like Mattina, also has the ability to play flyhalf, center, and wing.

 

2022 OUTLOOK

Simply put, this is the deepest roster Austin have ever put together. While the first choice side is reasonably predictable, an entirely second-string side would not suffer a precipitous drop in quality. This has not been the case in previous editions of the team.

It could be argued that McCaffrey’s departure leaves the side without a specialist eightman, though McDermott Vai could prove something of a secret weapon as he continues to develop. The backline is certainly more potent than in 2021 and the AG’s now looks well-rounded.

There will be learnings from last year’s failures to add to the upgrades in player personnel, and the team has gone through what looks like a very successful training camp. As such anything less than a playoff spot would be a gross disappointment. Austin are in to win in 2022, and there looks to be precious few teams who can stop them.