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The ‘Rocky Mountain Rumble’ takes place at Infinity Park on Saturday afternoon as the Colorado Raptors welcome the neighboring Utah Warriors. It’s been a difficult season with three losses on the trot for the Raptors, while the Warriors narrowly escaped Austin with a draw last weekend.
Colorado welcome back two key players to the backline this week as Rene Ranger has recovered from a hamstring tweak to take his spot at outside center, while Mason Emerson returns from New Zealand and jumps straight back in at fullback. There is a new halfback combination in Carlo de Nysschen and Ata Malifa with uncapped Sean Yacoubian named on the bench.
Up front there are two changes, both in the back row. Michael Curry and Connor Cook are named on the flank with Brendan Daly on reserve duty and Mike Stewart missing out altogether. Former Eagles flanker Aladdin Schirmer is set for his first appearance in 2020 as a replacement.
Utah have made two changes to their starting pack. Puna Vuli gets his first MLR start at lock with no sign of John Cullen. Thomas Tu’avao drops injured and new arrival Sama Malolo, usually a hooker, is named on the flank. Veteran openside Ara Elkington is on the bench and could see his first action of the season.
The musical chairs in the midfield continues as Dom Toluono gets a start at inside center with Calvin Whiting bumping out one spot. Tyler Fisher moves to the reserves with the backs otherwise unchanged.
Despite Colorado’s struggles this looks a competitive match-up. The returns of Ranger and Emerson add punch to the backline though it’s the forward pack that haven’t quite been up to par. Utah had a difficult time with Austin and will miss Cullen’s presence at lock. Take the Warriors as favorites but the Raptors have it in them to get the win at home.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 3pm Pacific, 6pm Eastern. Digital broadcasts will be available on For The Fans (FTF) and their parent company Eleven Sports. Those in Utah can watch on KMYU, with a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page available to all viewers outside the USA.
COLORADO RAPTORS
1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Chad Gough, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 4 Kody O’Neil, 5 Luke White (capt.), 6 Michael Curry, 7 Connor Cook, 8 Sam Slade, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Ata Malifa, 11 John Ryberg, 12 Robbie Petzer, 13 Rene Ranger, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Mason Emerson
Replacements: 16 Jay Finau, 17 Xendy Tatibouët, 18 Kelepi Fifita, 19 Brendan Daly, 20 Aladdin Schirmer, 21 Sean Yacoubian, 22 Chad London, 23 Nick Boyer
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Puna Vuli, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Sama Malolo, 7 Bailey Wilson, 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Dwayne Polataivao (capt.), 10 Hagen Schulte, 11 James Vaifale, 12 Dom Toluono, 13 Calvin Whiting, 14 Gannon Moore, 15 Robbie Povey
Replacements: 16 Ricky Tu’ihalangingie, 17 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Ara Elkington, 20 Saia Uhila, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Jared Whippy, 23 Tyler Fisher
Date: Saturday, February 29
Venue: Infinity Park, Glendale
Kickoff: 16:00 local (15:00 Pacific, 18:00 Eastern)
Referee: Jamie Nutbrown (New Zealand)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Mike Lawrenson (USA)
Broadcasts: Eleven Sports, Facebook, For The Fans, KMYU
