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There’s just one game left on the Major League Rugby preseason docket for Austin Elite and their repeat opponents New Orleans Gold. The match last weekend did not go according to plan for Austin, who will look for a dramatic turnaround at Round Rock on Saturday to put them in a better mood with the regular season just around the corner.
To make up the gap Austin have pulled a major surprise by naming former Springbok forward Pedrie Wannenburg at No8. It’s been nearly two years since he ran out with the Denver Stampede in PRO Rugby and the 37-year-old is looking to pick up where he left off against the gold. Deon Minnaar moves to the flank to accommodate in the only change to the forward pack.
There are two personnel changes in the backs. Michael Reid is restored at scrumhalf in place of Knute O’Donnell and Zac Mizell is named on the wing. Sione Fangaiuiha drops to the bench with Sani Taylor shifting back in to outside center.
The captaincy also changes hands with Eagles veteran Andrew Suniula taking the armband from Mason Pedersen. With Peter Malcolm still sidelined the leadership role appears unsettled though the presence of Wannenburg in a playing capacity could yet see another change of plans.
New Orleans enjoyed a complete reversal of fortunes last weekend and have not tinkered much with all three changes coming in the pack. Eric Howard and Sebastián Kalm are rested after taking knocks in the match last week. Cam Falcon moves back to his usual position of hooker and first choice props Hubert Buydens and Ben Tarr return after making a big impact as replacements a week ago.
With Kalm out it’s John Sullivan who moves to No8. That leaves a vacancy in the second row which is filled by Chile international Nikola Bursic. It’s the first time NOLA will have started a match with two regular locks, with Sullivan employed there in a makeshift capacity until now.
The added bulk in the tight five should boost the scrum but the absence of key players Howard and Kalm will be keenly felt around the pitch. Wannenburg’s surprise appearance will be a psychological boost to Austin as will the return to Texas. Look for this match to be considerably closer than last week’s rout.
Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 9pm Eastern. There is no live broadcast scheduled at this time.
AUSTIN ELITE
1 Tim Fitzgerald, 2 Chris Schade, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Kyle Breytenbach, 6 Deon Minnaar, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Pedrie Wannenburg, 9 Michael Reid, 10 Timothée Guillimin, 11 Reece Czarnecki, 12 Andrew Suniula (capt.), 13 Sani Taylor, 14 Zac Mizell, 15 Zinzan Elan-Puttick
Replacements: 16 David LeMasters, 17 Siaosi Finau, 18 Robert Drummond, 19 Dylan Goulding, 20 Alex Faison-Donahoe, 21 Knute O’Donnell, 22 Vetekina Malafu, 23 Pat Sullivan, 24 Sione Fangaiuiha, 25 Junior Naruma
NEW ORLEANS GOLD
1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Cam Falcon, 3 Ben Tarr, 4 Matt Wirken, 5 Nikola Bursic, 6 Vince Jobo, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 John Sullivan, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Taylor Howden (capt.), 11 Peceli Rinakama, 12 JP Eloff, 13 Tim Maupin, 14 Bobby Johns, 15 Michael Baska
Replacements: 16 Derrek van Klein, 17 Amro Gouda, 18 Alec Janotka, 19 Myles McQuone, 20 John Stapleton, 21 Zack Stryffeler, 22 Moni Tonga’uiha, 23 Jojo Tikoisuva
Date: Saturday, April 7
Venue: Multipurpose Complex, Round Rock
Kickoff: 20:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: n/a
