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For the first – and only – time this season Major League Rugby fans will have to choose between two different games kicking off at the same time on Friday evening. One of those matches will take place at Infinity Park where the Glendale Raptors host the Houston SaberCats.
Barring a major surprise, Glendale are expected to clinch their spot in the Semi Finals needing only one bonus point to do so. Houston, on the other hand, are on a precipice. Despite sitting at the bottom of the table they are not mathematically eliminated from playoff contention, but they need to win both of their remaining matches to pull off the miracle.
Following a listless performance against Seattle last week two regular starters have faced the axe while there are three further changes. Connor Murphy and Conor Mills are dropped to the bench with two players set to make their first starts of the season – Chris Slater at scrumhalf and former NFL fullback Joey Iosefa at inside center.
In the front row Paul Mullen’s call-up to the Eagles sees Adam Macklin switched to tighthead prop with Jake Turnbull starting at loosehead. Diego Maquieira runs out at hooker in the absence of Lindsey Stevens and Lindenwood’s Gabe Romero is a new signing on the bench. Charlie Hewitt rotates back into the run-on side in place of Robert Meeson.
The undefeated Raptors have lost five starters but still are able to field a formidable side. Dylan Fawsitt has been released by the Eagles to play this weekend and he continues at hooker. Luke White is recalled at loosehead prop and there is a new-look second row in Casey Rock, back from injury, and Kody O’Neil. Zach Fenoglio and Connor Cook are named on the flanks.
There is a new halfback combination in Jake Christmann and Max de Achaval, with Ata Malifa stepping in at inside center. The outside backs remain the same as they did against New Orleans with Nick Johnson, yet to make his MLR debut, named on the bench alongside scrumhalf Kevin Lynch.
Given the way the season has gone for these two clubs it would seem foolhardy to pick against Glendale. They have a vastly superior record, home field advantage, and can still field four capped Eagles in their starting roster. Look for the Raptors to make the early off-season official for the struggling SaberCats.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local, 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. Viewers in the USA can watch on AT&T SportsNet or ESPN+. All those in other countries will have access to a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Luke White, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Kelepi Fifita, 4 Casey Rock, 5 Kody O’Neil, 6 Zach Fenoglio (capt.), 7 Connor Cook, 8 Sam Figg, 9 Jake Christmann, 10 Maximo de Achaval, 11 Mika Kruse, 12 Ata Malifa, 13 Chad London, 14 Harley Davidson, 15 Seth Halliman
Replacements: 16 Blake Rogers, 17 Nick Kwasniewski, 18 James Del Bozque, 19 Devin Vaughter, 20 Brian Wanless, 21 Kevin Lynch, 22 John Ryberg, 23 Nick Johnson
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Diego Maquieira, 3 Adam Macklin, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Matt Trouville, 6 Chris Coyle, 7 Cecil Garber, 8 Kyle Sumsion (capt.), 9 Chris Slater, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Josua Vici, 12 Joey Iosefa, 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Malacchi Esdale, 15 Zach Pangelinan
Replacements: 16 Gabe Romero, 17 Petey Hepburn, 18 Jack Riley, 19 Robert Meeson, 20 Chris Parker, 21 Connor Murphy, 22 Conor Mills, 23 Alex Elkins
Date: Friday, June 8
Venue: Infinity Park, Glendale
Kickoff: 19:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern)
Referee: Chris Assmus (RC)
Assistants: Adam Leal (RFU) & Steve Gore (USAR)
Broadcasts: AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+, Facebook
