AG’S RE-SIGN FLANKER DOMINIC AKINA

AUSTIN, TX (July 15, 2020) Austin Gilgronis is excited to announce the re-signing of flanker Dominic ‘Domination’ Akina. The 25-year-old flanker had a breakout season with the AG’s in 2020 and looks forward to chasing the MLR shield in 2021.

“This team gave me a chance to live out a dream,” says Akina. “The itch to get back onto the field again is definitely real, I’m loving seeing all the boys re-signing.”

Akina is one of the great stories of Major League Rugby to date and will add just another chapter to his story in 2021.

Akina was born and raised in Hauula, Hawaii, and later moved to Oregon for high school and college. The 6’2” 220lbs flanker was a two-sport star at Western Oregon University. Akina was the three-time rugby club MVP and a cornerback, safety, and linebacker on the football team. Akina played in 24 football games in three seasons at Western Oregon; tallying 88 tackles, four interceptions, and two touchdowns.

Akina flew in from Oregon for the 2019 Austin MLR combine and blew away the coaches, players, and fans in attendance. He jumped 38 inches in the vertical test to the awe of the spectators. He followed up his jump with a 4.38 forty yard dash and a solid display of skills and fitness; earning himself a professional contract that would keep him in Austin for the 2020 season.

2020 MLR Season

Akina played 80 minutes in every match for the AG’s. He carried the ball 28 times for 228 meters and scored his first MLR try in Las Vegas against RUNY in week two.

On defense, Akina tallied 48 tackles with a made tackle percentage of 99.2% on the season. Akina was the primary lineout option for the AG’s with 19 takes and four steals.

Akina earned a spot on the MLR’s First XV of the Week after an impressive showing against Utah in week three.

After season cancellation, Akina represented the AG’s in the MLR Virtual Championship match victory over Seattle in Round 1. The AG’s earned the first overall season in the Virtual Championship playoffs and brought home the trophy in April.

Welcome back to the AG’s, Domination!