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The firsts continue on Sunday when two Major League Rugby franchises take their first steps in preseason action. Austin Elite and the San Diego Legion may sound like a rock band but they are in fact a pair of rugby teams set to do battle at Round Rock Multipurpose Complex, some 25 miles to the north of Austin’s home base at Nixon Lane.
It’s not an entirely new beginning for Austin, more of a rebirth. The Elite program is a graduation of the progress started by the Austin Huns. In making the move upwards to MLR they have re-branded and opened their doors to new players, some of whom come from Huns rivals Austin Blacks.
New faces to Austin rugby include hooker Chris Schade, who arrives from Ohio where he was part of the Aviators squad in PRO Rugby. Second row Ben Mitchell arrives from Ireland having represented Irish Universities. Fjiian flanker Junior Naruma spent the last couple seasons playing for Metropolis.
In the backs there is a start for Chicago import Andrew Suniula, of US Eagles fame, and a trio of Collegiate All-Americans form the back three in Reece Czarnecki, Vetekina Malafu, and Sione Fangaiuiha. Two more are on the bench – former ASU flyhalf Pat Sullivan and Kutztown winger Alex Faison-Donahoe.
Named as captain for the match is Mason Pedersen. The 21-year-old has already represented his country at international ‘A’ level and starts at tighthead prop in the absence of Eagles regular Paddy Ryan. Also missing is hooker Peter Malcolm, but Americas Rugby Championship standout Hanco Germishuys is present on the flank.
As expected San Diego will field a star-studded lineup with six Eagles in the run-on side and another on the bench. Pat Blair continues his conversion to the front row with High School All-American Josh Zamudio to his right. Cam Dolan slots in at lock having played No8 exclusively for the Eagles in the ARC, and a pair of San Diego Breakers in Chris Turori and Derrick Broussard pack down on the flanks. Waikato export Mungo Mason starts at the back of the scrum and is named vice-captain.
Wearing the skipper’s armband is Nate Augspurger, no surprise given his leadership with the Eagles in two ARC title-winning campaigns. Ben Cima gets a run at inside center with Tadhg Leader handed the No10 shirt. Taku Ngwenya is named on the right wing and new USA cap Dylan Audsley starts at fullback.
Eagles loosehead Tony Purpura is named in the reserves with three newcomers to the squad. Old Aztecs tighthead Tasi Toilolo joins up along with clubmate Ryan Walls and Collegiate All-American captain Cody Melphy arrives fresh off Eagles Sevens duty. Two more promising youngsters are on the bench, ‘Next Olympic Hopefuls’ winner Devin Short and Life West product Faitala Talapusi.
The weather forecast suggests cloudy but warm weather so that should ensure an entertaining afternoon of rugby. Kickoff is set for 3pm local time (4pm Eastern) and admission is free to the public. No broadcast is scheduled.
AUSTIN ELITE
1 Tim Fitzgerald, 2 Chris Schade, 3 Mason Pedersen (capt.), 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Kyle Breytenbach, 6 Junior Naruma, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Deon Minnaar, 9 Michael Reid, 10 Timothée Guillimin, 11 Reece Czarnecki, 12 Andrew Suniula, 13 Sani Taylor, 14 Vetekina Malafu, 15 Sione Fangaihuia
Replacements: 16 David LeMasters, 17 Siaosi Finau, 18 Robert Drummond, 19 Dylan Goulding, 20 Knute O’Donnell, 21 Pat Sullivan, 22 Joedee Reyes, 23 Alex Faison-Donahoe
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Gil Covey, 2 Pat Blair, 3 Josh Zamudio, 4 Jay Harmon, 5 Cam Dolan, 6 Chris Turori, 7 Derrick Broussard, 8 Mungo Mason, 9 Nate Augspurger (capt.), 10 Tadhg Leader, 11 Nick Evans, 12 Ben Cima, 13 Anthony Salaber, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 15 Dylan Audsley
Replacements: 16 Tony Purpura, 17 Tasi Toilolo, 18 Ryan Walls, 19 Devin Short, 20 Sione Tu’ihalamaka, 21 Nick Boyer, 22 Cody Melphy, 23 Faitala Talapusi
Date: Sunday, March 25
Venue: Multipurpose Complex, Round Rock
Kickoff: 15:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 16:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: n/a
