Legion sign Australian rugby legend Matt Giteau, announce 2024 schedule – The San Diego Union-Tribune
The San Diego Legion have added an international rugby superstar to their roster for the 2024 season.
Matt Giteau, a six-time champion in Australia, Europe and the United States, signed with the club on Wednesday. The signing marks his second foray into Major League Rugby; Giteau played for the LA Giltinis in 2021.
Giteau announced in February that he would be retiring before changing his mind.
“This is definitely, definitely my last season,” Giteau posted Wednesday on X (formerly Twitter). “Wife made me promise.”
The 41-year-old Giteau is perhaps best known for his contribution to Australia’s national team. He played in three Rugby World Cups with the Wallabies, earning 103 career caps and scoring a total of 698 points.
Legion coach Danny Lee said he is “over the moon” to sign Giteau. The team has also recently added Greg Peterson, Connor Tupai, Lincoln McCutchie, Chris Mickleson, Ethan Grayson and Nick Boyer.
“To have a highly experienced international player of Matt’s caliber join the Legion is something very exciting,” Lee said. “He is a world-class player who will bring an incredible wealth of knowledge, a competitive attitude, and a drive to succeed with him that will no doubt spread throughout the squad. We can’t wait to get the former MLR winner on board.”
The Legion won the MLR’s Western Conference last season, their first at Snapdragon Stadium, before falling to the New England Free Jacks in the MLR Final, held in a Chicago suburb. San Diego will open the 2024 season March 2 at the Seattle Seawolves, then host their home opener March 16 against Los Angeles.
The Legion and Free Jacks will square off April 14 in a rematch of last year’s MLR Final.
