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Major League Rugby‘s fourth week continues on Saturday when the New Orleans Gold play their home opener against the Seattle Seawolves. After a promising start against the SaberCats, the Gold stumbled against Austin Elite last weekend and will be keen to get back on track but face a formidable Seawolves side set to spoil the occasion.
Seattle will be without Canadian duo Ray Barkwill and Brock Staller while Jérémy Lenaerts and Riekert Hattingh are also absent from the pack. Mike Shepherd comes in at hooker with Cam Polson moving into the second row. Canada u20 graduate Nakai Penny makes his first MLR appearance on the flank with newcomer Cole van Harn named on the bench.
Australian flyhalf Peter Smith is named for the first time as Mat Turner switches to the wing and Will Holder moves to fullback. Jeremy Misailegalu returns from injury on the right wing, and Canadian international Mozac Samson is ready to debut as a replacement.
New Orleans have been hammered by injuries with Sebastián Kalm, JP Eloff, and Tim Maupin all missing from their lineup. The first choice front row of Hubert Buydens, Eric Howard, and Ben Tarr is restored but Moni Tonga’uiha is pressed into emergency flank duty once again and will start in the back row.
The restructured backline sees Peceli Rinakama named at flyhalf with captain Taylor Howden filling Eloff’s spot at inside center. Only two backs are named on the bench in scrumhalf Vita Makasini and winger Melvin DeSouza, with Tonga’uiha an alternative if needed. New Orleans RFC back row Billy Stewart is called up as cover to the bench.
While home field advantage will be welcome for the Gold, losing their three most prominent names is a virtual death blow. The Seawolves are known for their fearsome pack and having to fill in with a midfielder is not a recipe for success. Look for Seattle to make a statement in their first road assignment as they push towards securing a Semi Final spot.
NEW ORLEANS GOLD
1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Ben Tarr, 4 Nikola Bursic, 5 Matt Wirken, 6 Moni Tonga’uiha, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 John Sullivan, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Peceli Rinakama, 11 Joeli Tikoisuva, 12 Taylor Howden (capt.), 13 Zack Stryffeler, 14 Bobby Johns, 15 Michael Baska
Replacements: 16 Amro Gouda, 17 Cam Falcon, 18 Derrek van Klein, 19 Billy Stewart, 20 Todd Dupre, 21 Myles McQuone, 22 Vita Makasini, 23 Melvin DeSouza
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Mike Shepherd, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Cam Polson, 5 Taylor Krumrei, 6 Vili Toluta’u, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Aladdin Schirmer, 9 Phil Mack, 10 Peter Smith, 11 Mat Turner, 12 Shalom Suniula (capt.), 13 William Rasileka, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Will Holder
Replacements: 16 Kellen Gordon, 17 LaRome White, 18 John Hayden, 19 Eric Duechle, 20 Cole van Harn, 21 Peter Tiberio, 22 George Barton, 23 Mozac Samson
Date: Saturday, May 12
Venue: Archbishop Shaw Field, New Orleans
Kickoff: 12:00 local (10:00 Pacific, 13:00 Eastern)
Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (USAR)
Assistants: Josh Houston (USAR) & Jim Rogers (USAR)
Broadcasts: AT&T Sportsnet, ESPN+, Facebook
