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A last-gasp try from Kalolo Tuiloma pulled the Utah Warriors from the jaws of defeat at Bold Stadium on Saturday. The 20-20 draw denied Austin a first victory since their debut season but did put a halt to a 20-game losing streak that dated back to June 1 of 2018.
Marcelo Torrealba’s penalty in the 7th minute opened the scoring after Utah were pinged for illegal entry at the breakdown. It was Austin, however, who felt the wrath of the referee after a series of penalties resulted in a yellow card to Jamie Mackintosh just 15 minutes into his Major League Rugby debut.
Austin were forced to bring on Juan Echeverría to hold the scrum and though the referee was reluctant to award a penalty try, eventually the Warriors would not be denied. Jurie van Vuuren took a quick tap and charged ahead, with captain Dwayne Polataivao finding a gap and falling over the line for the score.
The two sides found little purchase with the stalemate holding until the stroke of halftime. A high tackle penalty gave Hagen Schulte a chance for three and he made no mistake to leave the score 10-3 in favor of Utah at the intermission.
Frank Halai entered the game at halftime and the former All Blacks winger made an immediate impact with a 40 meter run on his first touch. The initial thrust was stopped short but Utah could not clear their lines and after several phases Tiaan Erasmus squeezed over with Torrealba’s extras leveling the scores.
Halai would not have to wait long for his first try in Austin colors. Zinzan Elan-Puttick cleaned up sloppy possession near midfield and offloaded to Lino Saunitoga. The Fijian put Corey Jones in to space and after a right foot step sucked in the final defender, Halai taking the offload in for seven points.
For half an hour the defense held, with only a single penalty goal from Schulte conceded. Rodrick Waters chased down a Torrealba high ball and pinned Utah in their end with only a minute to play. Puna Vuli’s offload to Jurie van Vuuren put the Warriors in behind the Austin defense and then poor discipline cost them 40 meters and an attacking lineout.
Veremalua Vugakoto hit John Cullen and the drive would not be stopped. From a meter out Tuiloma broke away and bashed over the line for the try. Schulte nailed the conversion from a tricky angle and the final whistle blew to signal all square.
The Gilgronis will have another chance to win in Texas, albeit their adopted second home San Antonio on Saturday against Old Glory DC. Utah take their shortest road trip of the year to their Colorado neighbors, playing the Raptors at Infinity Park in the match immediately following.
SCORING
AUSTIN 20
Tries – T. Erasmus (44′), F. Halai (51′)
Cons – M. Torrealba 2/2 (45′, 52′)
Pens – M. Torrealba 2/2 (7′, 65′)
Yellow cards – J. Mackintosh (15′)
UTAH 20
Tries – D. Polataivao (20′), K. Tuiloma (80′)
Cons – H. Schulte 2/2 (21′, 80′)
Pens – H. Schulte 2/3 (40′, 60′)
TEAMS
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Tiaan Erasmus (16 Brendan Rams 45′), 3 Mason Pedersen (18 Juan Echeverría 59′), 4 Maikeli Naromaitoga (19 Luca Tani 70′), 5 Potu Leavasa, 6 Dominic Akina, 7 Moe Abdelmonem, 8 Lino Saunitoga (18 Juan Echeverría 17′-25′), 9 Marcelo Torrealba, 10 Zinzan Elan-Puttick (capt.), 11 Rodrick Waters, 12 Gabe Farley, 13 Peni Tagive (23 Frank Halai HT), 14 Corey Jones, 15 Rodrigo Silva
Not used: 17 LaRome White, 20 Stewart Morris, 21 Colby Stevens, 22 Sione Fangaiuiha
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg (17 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa 61′), 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Angus MacLellan (18 Kalolo Tuiloma 50′), 4 John Cullen, 5 Matt Jensen (19 Puna Vuli 62′), 6 Bailey Wilson, 7 Thomas Tu’avao (20 Saia Uhila 42′), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Dwayne Polataivao (capt.) (21 Michael Baska 56′), 10 Hagen Schulte, 11 James Vaifale, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher (23 Dom Toluono 67′), 14 Gannon Moore, 15 Robbie Povey
Not used: 16 Ricky Tu’ihalangingie, 22 Jared Whippy
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Mike O’Brien (USA)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Butch Neuenschwander (USA)
