Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Saturday afternoon will feature two significant firsts for Major League Rugby. The expansion LA Giltinis will open their regular season account, with the game taking place at the iconic Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Queueing up to spoil the party are the New England Free Jacks.
The Giltinis are attracting attention and not least due to some of the internationally-recognized stars in the side. Matt Giteau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, and DTH van der Merwe adorn the backline while Dave Dennis will lead the side out as captain. Adam Ashe and Glenn Bryce add Scottish accents to the Australia-American mix.
Only one of the Smith twins – JP – is named in the front row with Charlie Abel stepping in at tighthead prop in Ruan’s absence. Otherwise this is close to LA’s strongest possible match day squad though there are notables missing. Ex-Raptors trio Luke White, Nick Boyer, and Mika Kruse miss out on selection.
In an odd twist of fate LA will play their first home game before New England. The Free Jacks are technically in their sophomore campaign though their freshman year feels more like a tease, as the season ended before a single match was played at Union Point Stadium.
Canadian World Cup lock Josh Larsen heads up a visiting pack that features five newcomers in the starting side. The front row of Sef Fa’agase, Pieter Jansen, and Erich de Jager wear the collared shirts for the first time with Joe Johnston and Justin Johnson set to confuse commentators in the back row. Evan Geist makes his run-on debut on the blindside flank.
Baby Blacks trialist Harrison Boyle takes over the No10 shirt from the departed Tadhg Leader with Mitre 10 Cup teammate Aleki Morris-Lome a familiar face at inside center. Former Scotland winger Dougie Fife lines up on the right side with vice-captain Beaudein Waaka at fullback.
The bench features a 6-2 split as Namibia back row Wian Conradie joins lock pair Ronan McCusker and Matt Wirken. One-time Eagles cap Vili Toluta’u is ready to make a splash as backup hooker with England age-grade center Harry Barlow also settling for a spot among the reserves.
Despite being newcomers the Giltinis enter as favorites given home field advantage and the array of talent at their disposal. The Free Jacks arrive with no preseason games played and absent a handful of late arrivals. They have been written off in season openers before, as New York can attest, and LA are best advised not to take their guests lightly.
Kickoff is set for 3:30pm local time, 6:30pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on Bally Sports West in Southern California, NESN in New England, and The Rugby Network to viewers worldwide.
LA GILTINIS
1 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Mahe Vailanu, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Adam Ashe, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Matt Giteau, 11 John Ryberg, 12 Bill Meakes, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 DTH van der Merwe, 15 Glenn Bryce
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Blake Rogers, 18 Frikkie de Beer, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Ryan James
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Sef Fa’agase, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Evan Geist, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Justin Johnson, 9 John Poland, 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Mitch Wilson, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Dougie Fife, 15 Beaudein Waaka
Replacements: 16 Vili Toluta’u, 17 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Ronan McCusker, 20 Matt Wirken, 21 Ollie Engelhart, 22 Wian Conradie, 23 Harry Barlow
Date: Saturday, March 20
Venue: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Kickoff: 15:30 local (18:30 Eastern)
Broadcast: Bally Sports West, NESN, The Rugby Network
