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Kicking off at the same time as the match in Colorado, the Utah Warriors will line up across the NOLA Gold at Zions Bank Stadium with only slightly better conditions on the forecast. Cold and wet weather could put a damper on the Gold’s expansive attacking style. The problem for Utah is that they also prefer to let their outside backs do the talking.
The Warriors let what should have been a win slip away in the final quarter against Glendale last weekend. After good work from their offense, it was their defense that let them down as Chad Gough’s breakaway try went viral across the globe.
Despite the disappointment, Alf Daniels has backed his men to do the job against NOLA with only one enforced change to the run-on side. Gannon Moore is on Eagles duty so James Semple steps in at flyhalf with captain Tim O’Malley pushing out one spot to inside center. Kenny Scott replaces Maikeli Naromaitoga on the bench in the only other change in the 23.
NOLA are absent a number of front line players due to both international commitments and injury. Kevin Sullivan gets his first Major League Rugby start in place of Hubert Buydens at loosehead prop, and the new second row pairing is Billy Stewart and Will Waguespack. Kane Thompson moves to No8 with no sign of Tony Lamborn this week.
The backs have a more familiar feel to them with Nick Feakes filling in for Joeli Tikoisuva on the left wing. On the bench there is a new name in All-American flanker Kevin O’Connor, while Moni Tonga’uiha returns to the fold from Life West and Bobby Johns makes his first appearance of the season.
As with the Glendale match, this one comes down to who adapts to the conditions best. Semple and O’Malley give Utah a good kicking combination though the Gold have Scott Gale and JP Eloff to counter. The edge goes to New Orleans based on their strong form this season but the weather, as ever, is the great equalizer.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local, 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. A local stream will be available on KMYU with nationwide coverage on ESPN+. Those located outside of the USA can watch a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Logan Daniels, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Saia Uhila, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Ara Elkington, 8 John Cullen, 9 Sione Ika, 10 James Semple, 11 Fetu’u Vainikolo, 12 Tim O’Malley (capt.), 13 Jeremy Misailegalu, 14 Tonata Lauti, 15 Josh Whippy
Replacements: 16 Blake Burdette, 17 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, 18 Jackson Kaka, 19 Kenny Scott, 20 Alex Tucci, 21 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 22 Josh Anderson, 23 Ian Luciano
NOLA GOLD
1 Kevin Sullivan, 2 Eric Howard (capt.), 3 Ben Tarr, 4 William Waguespack, 5 Billy Stewart, 6 John Sullivan, 7 Zack Stryffeler, 8 Kane Thompson, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Scott Gale, 11 Nick Feakes, 12 Con Foley, 13 Taylor Howden, 14 Tristan Blewett, 15 JP Eloff
Replacements: 16 Matt Harmon, 17 Cam Falcon, 18 Mason Briant, 19 Moni Tonga’uiha, 20 Kevin O’Connor, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Bobby Johns, 23 Shawn Riley
Date: Saturday, March 2
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 19:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Facebook, KMYU
