Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Matt Giteau's Giltinis the latest team disqualified by the MLR

(Photo by Katelyn Mulcahy/Getty Images for LA Giltinis)

MLR has been rocked by a second disqualification inside a week, the LA Giltinis joining Austin Gilgronis in getting thrown out of the 2022 competition as it reaches the business end of the season. It was Thursday when MLR tweeted that the Gilgronis has been turfed out ahead of the playoffs and that same fate has now happened to the Giltinis, whose star-studded roster is headed by Matt Giteau.

ADVERTISEMENT

An MLR tweet read: “League Update – Due to a violation of league rules, the LA Giltinis have been disqualified from the 2022 Major League Rugby competition.

“The Houston SaberCats will now host the Western Conference final and play the winner of the Western Conference eliminator between the Seattle Seawolves and San Diego Legion at Starfire Stadium.”

Video Spacer

Win Tickets and Flights to the final of Major League Rugby

Video Player is loading.
Current Time 0:00
Duration 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Stream Type LIVE
Remaining Time 0:00
 
1x
    • Chapters
    • descriptions off, selected
    • captions off, selected
      Video Spacer

      Win Tickets and Flights to the final of Major League Rugby

      The Giltinis, who were crowned first-time champions in the 2021 MLR final last August, were scheduled to host the Western Conference final on June 19 at the Coliseum in LA against the winner of the SaberCats versus Seawolves eliminator in Houston, but the Legion have instead been handed a knockout lifeline with this latest disqualification.

      No reason for the sudden expulsion of the Giltinis was provided by the MLR in its social media announcement. It was the same last Thursday when it announced that the Gilgronis had been disqualified, tournament officials not providing an explanation at the time regarding what rules had been violated.

      That statement last week read: “Due to a violation of league rules, the Austin Gilgronis have been disqualified from 2022 post-season play. Championship series fixtures will be announced as they are determined.”

      The Gilgronis had appeared to have secured a home semi-final the previous weekend after defeating the Legion 44-28, but that win was in vain.

      ADVERTISEMENT
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Boks Office | Episode 32 | How To Win Europe

      Round 12 Highlights | PWR 2024/25

      Bristol Bears vs Gloucester-Hartpury | PWR 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo vs Kobelco Kobe Steelers | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match

      Edinburgh vs Brython | Celtic Challenge 2024/25 | Match Highlights

      Yokohama Canon Eagles vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Tokyo | Japan Rugby League One 2024/25 | Full Match Replay

      Global Schools Challenge | Day 2 Replay

      AUSTRALIA vs USA behind the scenes | HSBC SVNS Embedded | E04

      Trending on RugbyPass

      Comments

      3 Comments
      g
      gefitz 947 days ago

      You don't think an important part of this story was missed in this article? That the same owner oversees both teams is a detail that I'd say is...pretty relevant.

      M
      Maureen 947 days ago

      I am so conflicted! Worried for the league, happy for the San Diego Legion, sad for the players who won't be in the playoff, most likely because of something done by the front office. I am going to trust that the league officials have made a very difficult call to disqualify LA and Austin.

      Load More Comments

      Join free and tell us what you really think!

      Sign up for free
      ADVERTISEMENT

      Latest Features

      Comments on RugbyPass

      LONG READ
      LONG READ Money not everything in Toulouse ‘paradise’ as rivals try to rein in champions Money not everything in Toulouse ‘paradise’ as rivals try to rein in champions
      Search