Major League Rugby Final: Can Rugby ATL spoil the Giltinis' Party?
As the Lions series dominates the rugby union world, far from South Africa, another match will take place.
In the grand scheme of things, it is much less significant than a Lions test. But for many of those involved, it will be the biggest match that they have played in.
Major League Rugby’s (MLR) future looked in doubt not long ago. Thanks to Covid-19, their 2020 season was abandoned after just five games. The Glendale Raptors (since renamed Colorado Raptors), finalists in the inaugural season, withdrew from the league in May. Plans to introduce a Hawaii based team, backed by Jerome Kaino, were halted. Accounts showed little revenue was being generated, and with the pandemic strengthening, MLR’s 2021 schedule, and possibly their survival, seemed in doubt.
We fast forward to the present day and MLR is brimming with hope. This weekend their season will culminate when the LA Giltinis and Rugby ATL face off in the MLR final.
The young and burgeoning league has gone from strength to strength, attracting more eyes from across the rugby globe than ever before. Whereas in previous seasons they have had one or two superstar names, like Tendai Mtaiwara or Ma’a Nonu, now MLR has their first superstar team.
Brand Appeal
The LA Giltinis, who use a martini glass as their logo, are named after a soon to be released cocktail based on the martini. The team are rather cosmopolitan in their makeup. In their squad you will find experienced players from South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, New Zealand, a collective of Australians including Adam ‘Swoop’ Ashley-Cooper and Matt Giteau, and even some homegrown American talent.
In keeping with their superstar demeanour, the side play their home games at the prestigious LA Coliseum. An appearance at beautifully new Sofi Stadium in May signals the intention of the Giltinis and the MLR, and the allure that the sleek branding of the team creates.
Such a cultured squad has ran rampant in Major League Rugby this year, dominating the Western division with a 12-4 record, and this past weekend, secured their place in MLR’s grand final in their inaugural season.
The Giltinis play with immense pace. Their star power trio of Giteau, Ashley-Cooper, and DTH van der Merwe have imbued the side with incredible creativity. All three are individual playmakers. Give them the smallest of windows and the tightest of gaps, and they will produce boundless opportunities.
Even at 38-years-old, Giteau remains as cunning as ever. With poise and guile, he can lead his side to the title this weekend, and finish his glittering career on a high.
Also in the backs with him is former Melbourne Rebels and London Irish centre Billy Meakes, as well as young Australian scrum-half Harrison Goddard.
Goddard, 23, was previously at the Melbourne Rebels, and even represented Australia at U20s level. He recalls being a six-year-old and watching Giteau and Swoop for the first time, and he even posted a picture of his 11-year-old self and Giteau after a Brumbies match. He is clearly thriving on playing alongside his heroes. His eight tries ranks joint third in the competition, and the most for a scrum-half
The swiftness of their play begins at the ruck, where Goddard moves the ball away from rapidly each phase. He keeps the opposition defence under pressure and his play demands that they maintain a consistent defensive structure.
Have even a momentary lapse in concentration, and Goddard will take advantage of it, splitting you apart and bringing his teammates into the fray. He is a sprightly and intelligent player. With quick feet and a quick mind to complement them, he is a key cog in the LA system.
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Outside of their Aussie collective, homegrown talents such as Ryan James, 21, have shined in limited time. James stepped off the bench in the semi-final against Utah, showing his pace, strength and illusive movement, scoring twice to secure his side’s place in the final. Livewire utility back Christian Rodriguez, 24, has also impressed for LA.
Under head-coach Darren Coleman, and being exposed to the class and experience of Giteau, Ashley-Cooper et al, LA’s young homegrown players are receiving a priceless rugby education.
The Giltinis are more than a team, they are a brand. Look past the strange name and there is a sleek, modern outfit who can spearhead the MLR into global recognition. They are already equipped with their own loyal fan club, big name players and personalities, with different kits and merchandising opportunities galore. A win for the LA Giltinis, could be a win for the MLR.
Enter ATL
First, LA will have to get past Rugby ATL. The Atlanta based side topped the Eastern division with an 11-5 record.
Unlike the Giltinis, ATL lack the allure of star players. In their semi-final win over Rugby United New York (RUNY), their attack seemed rather ineffectual. Their only try did not come until the 75th minute, when waves of hammering the RUNY line resulted in prop Alex Maughan scoring, and Kurt Coleman adding the decisive two points.
The Giltinis are no slouch in defence, and ATL will need to muster up more speed and creativity if they wish to put points on the board against LA. Or, they can hope that their style of play forces LA to cough up a significant amount of penalties. Thankfully, what ATL lack in offensive output they more than make up for their physicality.
Stats-wise, LA have a ‘better’ defence, conceding less points over the season, but many believe ATL’s defence to be better. Their line speed is exceptional, with dominant tackles resulting in a high number of turnovers and penalties. Crucially, they consistently maintain their defensive shape after each phase, which in a league as young as the MLR, is a commendable trait. Their organisation allows them to absorb the aggression, and apply sustained pressure on an oppositions attack.
Knockout rugby usually favours the team with a greater defensive performance. High pressure games like finals are, more often than not, won by mistakes. So, the team who can force the most errors is in an enviable position.
This is exactly what they did against RUNY, piling on the pressure and being rewarded with a steady wave of penalties.
You may also expect ATL to triumph at the set piece. LA’s Dave Dennis is an incredible lineout operator who expertly disrupts the opposition throw. Against Utah however, they lost several of their own lineouts, something which LA will look to target.
In the scrum, LA have the second worst scrum win percentage in the league with 87%, compared to ATL’s 94%. As previously mentioned, whoever forces the errors has the advantage, and if ATL can disorganise the LA scrum, their route to the trophy becomes significantly easier.
ATL will be fired up. They, and the rest of the league, no doubt look at the Giltinis with envy. The flash of LA, garnering worldwide recognition. The darlings of the league, with immense brand appeal and superstar players.
Should ATL win, they will not only have the joy of lifting their first MLR title, but denying LA the championship in their first season will be something they will take extreme pride in.
“I think one of the great things about our team and our culture is that we are not a superstar team. You look through the roster, and we have players who have made the team of the week, but I wouldn’t say any one of us falls into that ‘superstar’ category.” - ATL back-rower Jason Damm1
When these two teams last faced, it was ATL who came out on top 17-12. With LA now having home advantage in the final, ATL’s task is remarkably harder, but if anyone can tame LA’s supremo backline and outmuscle them, its Rugby ATL.