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The last game of an already memorable opening weekend of Major League Rugby will feature a West Coast showdown between the Seattle Seawolves and the San Diego Legion at a sold-out Starfire Stadium. For fans across North American this contest is of particular interest with neither side playing any preseason matches viewable to those not in attendance, and Seattle not playing any at all open to the general public.
Seattle player-coach Phil Mack has included three recent additions in his starting backline with Eagles international Will Holder to partner him in the halfbacks. Fiji Sevens cap William Rasileka casts an intimidating shadow at outside center and on the left wing is their secret weapon, namely Jeremy ‘The Missile’ Misailegalu. The uber-versatile Shalom Suniula is selected at inside center adding an extra playmaker to the mix.
Up front it’s largely as expected with Kellen Gordon getting the nod at loosehead prop and Eagles regular Olive Kilifi among the reserves. Canadian lock Cam Polson starts on the blindside flank, part of a muscular second and back row selection led by captain Riekert Hattingh.
The Legion on the other hand have several unexpected nominations. Eagles loosehead Tony Purpura is left on the bench and Sione Tu’ihalamaka will make his front row debut having previously been used as a powerhouse No8. There is no sign of Dolph Botha so American football returnee Aaron Mitchell runs out at tighthead. Conspicuously absent is Kiwi flanker Mungo Mason and two youngsters will start in South African second row Lance Lamprecht and flanker Devin Short.
Cam Dolan will act as pack leader and in the absence of regular captain Nate Augspurger it’s Mike Te’o who takes the armband. There is no sign of Tadhg Leader, Ryan Matyas, or Dylan Audsley but there is a new name in the midfield with Super Rugby veteran JP du Plessis lacing up at inside center. Nick Evans starts on the left wing and San Diego State flyhalf Austin Switzer is called up to join the replacements.
Preseason injuries appear to have exacted a heavy toll on San Diego and up against a hungry Seawolves pack the timing is unfortunate. Neither side have had much time together on the pitch so experience is likely to play a big role in the outcome.
In that respect Seattle have a clear advantage. This is a tough match for the Legion coming out of the gate and with a capacity crowd expected there are too many factors not in their favor. Look for Seattle to celebrate the arrival of professional rugby in the North West with a debut victory.
A live broadcast will be available to USA viewers on AT&T SportNet and also ESPN+. Those in the San Diego area can watch on YurView. Canadians and other international viewers can watch live via Facebook.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Kellen Gordon, 2 Ray Barkwill, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Jérémy Lenaerts, 5 Taylor Krumrei, 6 Cam Polson, 7 Aladdin Schirmer, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 Phil Mack, 10 Will Holder, 11 Jeremy Misailegalu, 12 Shalom Suniula, 13 William Rasileka, 14 Brock Staller, 15 Mat Turner
Replacements: 16 Mike Shepherd, 17 Vili Toluta’u, 18 John Hayden, 19 Olive Kilifi, 20 Eric Duechle, 21 Peter Tiberio, 22 Mike Garrity, 23 Dion Crowder
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Sione Tu’ihalamaka, 2 Gil Covey, 3 Aaron Mitchell, 4 Lance Lamprecht, 5 Jay Harmon, 6 Chris Turori, 7 Devin Short, 8 Cam Dolan, 9 Nick Boyer, 10 Ben Cima, 11 Nick Evans, 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Anthony Salaber, 14 Taku Ngwenya, 15 Mike Te’o (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Pat Blair, 17 Tony Purpura, 18 Tasi Toilolo, 19 Derrick Broussard, 20 Drew Gaffney, 21 Sione Letoi, 22 Naima Fuala’au, 23 Austin Switzer
Date: Sunday, April 22
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Seattle
Kickoff: 17:00 local (20:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+, YurView, Facebook
