Major League Rugby: Gordon coach Darren Coleman’s LA Giltinis job
Gordon will enter the 2021 Shute Shield as the defending champions but without one of the people key to their turnaround from wooden spooners to winners after a job offer in the US.
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The architect of Gordon’s extraordinary resurgence from wooden spooners in 2018 to winners of the Shute Shield in 2020 is leaving the club - and Australia.
When Gordon run out onto the field in the next instalment of the premier club rugby competition coach Darren Coleman will be following from afar.
Coleman has signed on to coach a rugby franchise in the US in 2021.
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The growing Major League Rugby comp in the US was suspended this year due to coronavirus but Coleman has signed on with former Wallabies Adam Freir and Stephen Hoiles at the newest franchise in the US.
The LA Giltinis will operate out of Venice Beach with the club chasing 30 new signings for its first year of competition.
“I am moving on but Brian Melrose will take over from me,’’ Coleman said.
“I’m going to LA for a new professional challenge.’’
Melrose has previously worked as an assistant coach for the Waratahs and with Manly, Eastwood, West Harbour and Gordon in the Shute Shield.
Coleman said numerous Australian, New Zealanders and South Africans were already competing in the Major League Rugby.
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“We will have a significant Australian flavour to our roster,’’ Coleman confirmed.
Coleman helped Gordon completed a fairytale turnaround in 2020 after they beat Eastwood for the Shute Shield.
The win was after the club had finished last - and without a single win- in the 2018 competition.