Frank Halai Returns to the AG’s For 2021

AUSTIN, TX (August 27, 2020) The AG’s are excited to welcome back 6’5” 230lbs center Frank Halai. Frank ‘The Tank’ joined the AG’s in week three of 2020, making an immediate splash with several highlight plays.

“[Last season] was fun, I got excited before games and the jitters again,” says Frank Halai. “I was having a lot of fun with the boys, and felt like we were really improving from that first match I played (Week 3 vs draw to Utah) to the final match (Week 5 Texas Cup victory).”

Halai took on a leadership role in the team upon arrival and helped steady the team in key moments throughout the truncated 2020 season.

“Frank is a true team man who revels in being the glue that binds the team together,” says AG’s head coach Sam Harris.

Halai debuted for the AG’s off the bench in week three against Utah and with his first touch took the ball 50 meters to the try line to set up a try. Just ten minutes later, he finished a highlight try which would go on to be the #1 try of the “AG’s Top 5 Tries” of the season. That try gave the AG’s their first lead of the season and sent the home crowd into a frenzy.

Halai went on to start and play all 80 minutes in the final two matches of the truncated 2020 season.

AG’s assistant coach Mark Gerrard liked what he saw from Halai in reviewing the team’s 2020 tape. “Frank was a handful in attack, teams constantly needed to commit two to three defenders every time he carried. I could see the connection he had between defenders inside and out, which delivered confidence to the edge defenders.”

In week four, Halai carried the ball 15 times for 148 meters; breaking the gain line on 67% of his carries. He broke two tackles on two line breaks and added two offloads to the stat line.

In the comeback effort, Halai scored another “AG’s Top 5” try with a magical juggle and dash to the line.

In the inaugural Texas Cup against state-rival Houston, it was Halai’s defense and leadership which helped the AG’s into the win column in an MLR Team of the Week performance.

In three matches, Halai totaled 200 minutes, carrying the ball 26 times for 255 meters. On defense, Halai tallied 18 tackles at an 81% made tackle percentage.

“Frank is an out and out finisher, a dominant ball carrier, defensive leader, and an infectious personality,” says AG’s head coach Sam Harris.

Welcome back to the AG’s, Frank ‘The Tank’ Halai!