Australian rugby legend Matt Giteau played in Major League Rugby between 2021-2022, and again in 2024. He represented the LA Giltinis (2021-2022) and the San Diego Legion (2024).

Giteau played Rugby League until the age of 12, before turning his attention to Union. He represented the Wallabies in the 2001/02 IRB World Sevens Series, and represented the U21s at the Junior World Championship in South Africa in 2002. He earned the first of his 100+ test caps for the Wallabies in November of that year against England. He represented Australia at 3 Rugby World Cups, in 2003, 2007, and 2015, finishing as a Runner-Up twice (2003, 2015).

At club level, Giteau played in Super Rugby between 2001-2011, earning over 100 appearances in the competition between the Brumbies (2001-2006 & 2010-2011) and the Western Force (2007-2009). He won two Super Rugby titles with the Brumbies (2001 & 2004, Super 12 at the time). In 2011 Giteau signed with Toulon in the French Top 14 whom he represented over 120 times through 2017. He won the 2013, 2014, and 2015 Heineken Cups with the French side, as well as the 2013/14 Top 14 season. In 2017, Giteau moved to Japan to represent the Suntory Sungoliath in the Japanese League One. He played with Sungoliath between 2017-2020, before moving stateside.

Giteau signed with the LA Giltinis ahead of their inaugural MLR season in 2021. He earned 13 appearances for the Giltinis (12 starts), scoring 1 try and 98pts as LA advanced to the 2021 Championship Final, defeating Rugby ATL 31-17 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum to lift the 2021 Shield. He was signed with the Giltinis for the 2022 season, but did not appear due to injury. Shortly before the 2022 Championship Series, the LA Giltinis, along with sister team the Austin Gilgronis, were disqualified from the 2022 season for alleged Salary Cap violations. Following this, Giteau announced the end of his professional rugby career.

His retirement wouldn’t last long however, as Giteau would announce on his podcast, Kickoffs and Kick-ons, on 19th December 2023 that the 41yo had signed with the San Diego Legion for the 2024 MLR season. He joined the Legion for their playoff push and

achievements

• MLR Champion: 2021 (LA Giltinis)
• 6th in MLR Scoring: 2021 (98pts)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2021 – Round 7