• Advertise
  • Donate
  • Write
  • Intern
  • Events
  • About
  • Contact

The Austinot

Discover Austin Texas! An Austin blog with hundreds of unique articles.

  • Things To Do
    • Things To Do This Weekend
    • Things To Do This Week
    • Things To Do This Weekend With Kids
  • Discoveries
    • Austinot Loves
    • Activities
    • Day Trips
    • Local Business
  • Food & Drink
    • Food
    • Drink
  • Entertainment
    • Events
    • Film
    • Music
    • Nightlife
    • Theatre
  • Culture
    • Arts
    • History
    • Museums
  • Et Cetera
    • Non-Profits
    • Podcast
    • Archives

Austin Gilgronis Rugby Brings Intense Action to Bold Stadium

April 15, 2021 by Bill Tucker Leave a Comment

As a life long East Coaster turned Austinite, rugby’s been a mystery. Outside of catching a match at a British pub at 11:00 AM or the rare highlight on TV, this punishing yet fascinating sport has been lost on me. And I think if I took an informal poll, most locals would feel the same way.

If so, y’all are missing out! Last week, my wife and I had the chance to check out Austin Gilgronis (AG) Rugby’s home opener at Bold Stadium. We found a sport well suited for our Longhorn loving city. Hard nosed, aggressive, and exciting, the lads of AG Rugby are bringing good times and great play to Circuit of the Americas.

What’s This…Rugby You Speak Of?

AG Rugby and the Utah Warriors in an intense scrum. (credit: Bill Tucker)

As a complete rugby newbie, my knowledge of the sport is limited. From my newfound experience, rugby is a combination of American football, soccer, and – wrestling? If you know college football, you know the basics. The goal is to get the ball into the opponent’s end zone but instead of a forward pass, the ball must be advanced either on foot or kicking it downfield. Any player with the ball can pass it to a teammate so long as they are behind them. The opposing team gets the ball through tackling, recovering wayward kicks, and general ass-kickerey.

And then there’s the famous scrum. This occurs when play is stopped due to a penalty and is the equivalent to a jump ball in basketball. Only instead of two guys leaping for a tip off, a gang of burly men engage in a battle of inches. The goal is to move the ball back to your teammates while pushing the opposing team forward. Pretty amazing.

From a sporting perspective, rugby has the push/pull energy of soccer with the pure visceral adrenaline of football. Game tactics are hidden behind a wall of pure athleticism, making matches fun to watch for complete newbs like me. Players wear zero protection, making open field hits sting. But to overemphasize rugby’s “violent” nature would underemphasize the skill required to play the game well. Player positioning, timing, and pure speed looks to be essential in winning a match. All that learned in two 40 minute halves of AG Rugby.

Austin Gilgronis Gametime Experience

The view from Bold Stadium’s central promenade. (credit: Bill Tucker)

My first AG Rugby game was also my first time at Bold Stadium. Constructed in the middle of COTA’s main promenade, the stadium bears the name of its first tenant, the Austin Bold FC soccer team. The pre-game scene was fun and lively, full of things to do and see. Armadillo races kept the kids entertained and chicken – erm – poop bingo drew a solid crowd.

Tables and chairs dot the outside area adjacent to the field and was a great place for pre-game eats and drinks. The food at COTA is surprisingly solid. While my wife and I only tried one dish, our order of bacon queso fries was tasty. It hit all the requirements – crispy fries, gooey, flavorful cheese, and sweet, salty bacon. Add to the experience giant screens, good music (much of it local), and great weather, our pre-game experience was top notch.

Read More: “How to Tailgate Like a Local in Austin“

Austin Gilgronis goes for a jump ball during a 3/20 MLR game versus the Utah Warriors. (credit: Bill Tucker)

In-game, AG Rugby’s presentation is loose and laid back, just like Austin sports should be. While some may consider it amateurish, I found it charming. In a town where we take our sports hyper seriously, it was nice to check out a game where it was fine to mess up intermission times or admit they didn’t master the rule book. AG Rugby takes their fans seriously and did everything they could to keep the fun times rolling.

And on the field, our hometown heroes battled back and forth with the Utah Warriors. AG spent most of the game trailing yet had a chance to win it in penalty time via a free kick. The try was on target but lacked distance, giving the Warriors the win. It’s clear Austin Gilgronis has got talent and athleticism so I’m looking forward to seeing how they grow throughout the season.

Fun Time For Any Fan

DJ Paul Oakenfold performing at an AG Rugby game at Bold Stadium. (credit: Bill Tucker)

After the final whistle blew, Grammy winning DJ and producer Paul Oakenfold performed an hour set of classic house and dance tunes to a barrage of lights and fireworks. While the home team lost a nail biter, we were more than happy to hang out and dance the evening away.

And that’s the whole point of an Austin Gilgronis experience. Good times for a reasonable price watching a sport I guarantee 98% of Austinites have never seen. It’s fun, frenetic, and I truly can’t wait to bring my 4 year old to another game this season and let him join in on the good times.

For tickets, schedule, and general information on AG Rugby, go to gilgronis.com.


@BillTuckerTSP wants to know:

Ever been to AG Rugby match? Tell us about your experience!

Filed Under: Activities, Discoveries, Entertainment

Best of The Austinot

We always have unique content on The Austinot and we love to give things away. You know, like concert tickets, gift cards, and other cool stuff. We only send out our “Best of the Austinot” newsletter twice a month. It’s where we give you a recap of our best articles and give stuff away. Interested? Subscribe to Best of The Austinot here!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Connect with Us

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Pinterest
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Things to do

Austin Christmas Lights 2023

Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Your Guide to Dazzling Holiday Displays in the City and Beyond!

Hear, hear, the sparkly season is near! From now through the end of the season, festive holiday light trails adorn the Texas Hill Country, and we’ve discovered the best and brightest dazzlers around. Everyone loves the Zilker Park lights, yet if you want to set forth on an illuminated adventure beyond these famous Austin holiday lights, read […]

11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of November 24, 2023 include Peppermint Parkway, Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and More!

11 Fun Things to do in Austin this weekend of November 24, 2023 include Peppermint Parkway, Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, and More!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Austin this Weekend of November 24 which include the Peppermint Parkway, Zilker Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony, The Annual Lighting of the Square, Black Friday Sip + Shop, and more! Whether you’re planning a date or having fun with friends, these events and things to do in Austin this weekend may […]

Thanksgiving 2023 Austin Events

Thanksgiving 2023 Austin Events – Enjoy These 10 Things to Do, Activities, & More!

Thanksgiving 2023 is just around the corner, and Austin, Texas, is gearing up for a season brimming with festivities, warmth, and community spirit. As we anticipate the joyous celebrations, let’s embrace the essence of Thanksgiving in Austin – a blend of traditional feasts, holiday cheer, and memorable moments with loved ones. Whether you’re a local […]

Veterans Day Events Austin 2023

Veterans Day Events Austin 2023 – Parades, Concerts, and Other Celebrations Near You!

This Veterans Day, honor the valiant hearts who served in the US Armed Forces with a grand salute! The city is set to showcase a spectacular lineup of Veterans Day events in 2023, making it the centerpiece of the city’s annual celebrations. Whether you’re searching for ‘Veterans Day events near me’ or ‘veteran events near […]

Winter Camp Austin 2023 - Your Guide to Find the Perfect Camps for Your Child This Holiday Season!

Winter Camp Austin 2023 – Find the Perfect Camps for Your Child This Holiday Season!

Editor’s Note: We are getting started with our process of compiling our comprehensive guide on Winter Camps in Austin for 2023! We will be making updates to this article on a regular basis. So please bookmark and check back in!  Winter Camps Austin – Explore, Learn, and Grow! Austin becomes a playground of wonder and […]

Recent Posts

  • Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Your Guide to Dazzling Holiday Displays in the City and Beyond!
  • Christmas tree lighting Austin 2023 Events & Ceremonies to Watch!
  • Planning Your Black Friday in Austin – When to Shop Where And Maximize Shopping Deals
  • Everything you need for Thanksgiving 2023 in Austin – Things to do, Where to Eat, Where to Shop & more!
  • Best Deals on Thanksgiving Meals in Austin 2023 – Where to Dine & Save This Holiday!

Welcome to The Austinot

We are all about Austin: the vibe, the people and the uniqueness of the city. We love to explore. Get to know us! We’ll respond if you comment. Heck, we’ll probably invite you to come and hang out with us!

Follow along to help support and learn more about local businesses, artists, and events.

-The Austinot Team

Privacy Policy

Trending Posts

  • Austin’s Speakeasy Secrets (Shhh): Floppy Disk Repair Co.
  • The Complete Guide to Austin’s Moonlight Towers
  • Winter Camp Austin 2023 – Find the Perfect Camps for Your Child This Holiday Season!
  • Austin Christmas Lights 2023 – Your Guide to Dazzling Holiday Displays in the City and Beyond!
  • Birthday Freebies Austin 2023 – List of Over 45 Best Restaurants, Food Places, & Stores with Birthday Month Deals Near You

Copyright © 2023 · Log in

x
x