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Sunday’s schedule will see two matches kicking off at near identical times. The first will be played in Austin, where the AG’s host fellow founding members San Diego at Bold Stadium.
It’s the fifth time the Legion have faced off against Austin, but the first since the Gilgronis rebrand. None of the four previous matches have been close, though one might be surprised to learn their first meeting went overwhelmingly in favor of the then-Elite in what was San Diego’s worst ever team performance.
Since then it’s been all-San Diego though the two teams did not meet in 2020. This meeting promises to be the closest of the three with the Legion reeling from an opening round defeat to New York and Austin a much-improved side despite the disappointing result against Utah.
San Diego looked their usual selves in spurts against New York but did have the legs to last 80 minutes. Also below par was their set piece, with the scrum especially suffering. Austin may not be among the league best in that department but they have the ability to challenge the Legion front row.
The AG’s have run into some early season injury problems with a number of locks and loose forwards receiving extra treatment from the medical staff this week. Their guests look to be in better shape in that regard though hooker Dean Muir came off early in the game against New York.
In fact Austin will be without both Robbie Coetzee and Hugh Roach this weekend leaving Mason Koch as the only fit hooker. He is handed a first start in only his second professional match, while Michael de Waal fills in at lock despite the addition of Canadian international Reegan O’Gorman and new signing Kyle Breytenbach on the bench.
Other changes see Maclean Jones moving to No8 with Dom Bailey coming in on the flank. Will Magie moves to fullback, Mack Mason to flyhalf, and Ned Hodson makes his first MLR appearance since 2018.
The Legion have have wholesale changes following the opening round loss. Most notable is the return of captain Joe Pietersen, who joins Carlo de Nysschen in a new-look halfback pairing. Santiago González Iglesias and Bjorn Basson come into the backline at the expense of Ryan Matyas and Cecil Afrika.
Up front there is an all-new front row with Nathan Sylvia, Peter Malcolm, and Chris Baumann starting. Jasa Veremalua replaces Tevita Tameilau in the back row with Keni Nasoqeqe shifting to the back of the scrum. New signing Chris Schade is among the reserves along with debutante halfback Patrick Madden.
Both teams will be let down by their opening week results and one will remain frustrated come Monday. Under different circumstances this might be too close to call, but Austin’s injuries combined with the San Diego star power suggests the Legion will have the advantage even on the road.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Antenna TV and Fox 5 San Diego, KXAN in Austin, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Mason Koch, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 Michael de Waal, 6 Dom Bailey, 7 Moe Abdelmonem, 8 Maclean Jones, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Conner Mooneyham, 12 Ned Hodson, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Cole Davis, 15 Will Magie
Replacements: 16 LaRome White, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Reegan O’Gorman, 20 Kyle Breytenbach, 21 Marcelo Torrealba, 22 Rodrick Waters, 23 Frank Halai
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Siaosi Mahoni, 6 Jasa Veremalua, 7 Psalm Wooching, 8 Keni Nasoqeqe, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Joe Pietersen (capt.), 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Santiago González Iglesias, 13 Cameron Clark, 14 Save Totovosau, 15 Dylan Audsley
Replacements: 16 Chris Schade, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 Aaron Mitchell, 19 Tevita Tameilau, 20 Travis Larsen, 21 Patrick Madden, 22 Ryan Matyas, 23 Cecil Afrika
Date: Sunday, March 28
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Broadcast: Antenna TV, Fox 5 San Diego, KXAN, The Rugby Network
Historical Results:
2019-04-07 – San Diego Legion 45, Austin Elite 15 (Torero Stadium)
2019-02-22 – Austin Elite 17, San Diego Legion 45 (Dell Diamond)
2018-06-17 – San Diego Legion 31, Austin Elite 17 (Torero Stadium)
2018-05-25 – Austin Elite 31, San Diego Legion 5 (Round Rock Multipurpose Complex)
