Marcelo Torrealba Returning To AG’s

AUSTIN, TX (August 24th, 2020) Austin Gilgronis is delighted to announce the return of Chilean international scrumhalf Marcelo Torrealba. The 24-year-old enters his third season in Austin in 2021 and looks forward to the new challenges ahead.

“I’m happy to be back with the AG’s for another season, we’re starting to build something special here in Austin,” says Marcelo Torrealba. 

AG’s new head coach Sam Harris spoke highly of Torrealba’s game. “Marcelo provides excellent service from the base of the ruck, he’s a quality goal kicker and a tenacious defender,” says Harris.

Torrealba was the leading points scorer for the AG’s in the truncated 2020 season; accounting for 28 of the team’s 104 total points. Torrealba started the first four matches at scrumhalf for the AG’s totaling 314 minutes. The arrival of Samoan World Cup scrumhalf Pele Cowley saw Torrealba relegated to the #21 jersey for what would be the AG’s first win and final match of the season.

Torrealba tallied 106 meters on 19 carries while also racking up 28 tackles at a 75.6% made tackle percentage. Torrealba is quick to the breakdown, elusive in space, and displays a consistent and accurate pass from the base. Though Torrealba’s biggest impact seemed to come in the kicking game. He slotted 13/14 goal kicks and booted 17 kicks from hand for 426 meters.

Torrealba made his first international appearance with the Chile 7s squad at the USA and Canadian stops of the HSBC World Series. Torrealba had an awesome 2018, earning his first MLR contract at the World Rugby Combine in Glendale, CO, and his lone appearance for Chile’s National XVs team against Maori All Blacks.

Torrealba is still chasing his first cap and thought this summer’s Americas Rugby Championship would have been a great opportunity to crack the squad. Chile was scheduled to play the United States on August 22nd at Bold Stadium, the AG’s home pitch in Austin; though the competition was canceled due to COVID19.

After season cancellation, Torrealba stayed in Austin and competed to represent the AG’s in the MLR Virtual Championship. He continues to train tirelessly and has found a new home on the golf course. Torrealba helped the AG’s to a road victory on the golf course against the Houston Sabercats at the inaugural Texas Tee Off.