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The Austin Gilgronis and Rugby ATL will collide for the first time on Saturday evening. On offer is another first – a chance for Austin to win three games in a row for the first time in franchise history.
Last weekend’s victory at the death against NOLA was just the second time Austin have claimed back-to-back wins since the inaugural 2018 Major League Rugby campaign. After two narrow losses to start the campaign, it’s a sign things are heading in the right direction for the embattled Texans.
Injuries have reduced second row stocks to a minimum but there is the timely arrival of Isaac Ross to celebrate. He steps in for Sebastian de Chaves, with Michael de Waal moving up to lock and Dominic Akina recalled at No8. It’s all change in the front row with a first appearance for Robbie Coetzee and starts for beefy bookends Jamie Mackintosh and Mason Pedersen.
The backs are unchanged but there are another four changes on the bench. LaRome White steps in as backup tighthead, with Cam Dodson fit enough to cover lock. Moe Abdelmonem returns from injury to act as flanker reserve and Ned Hodson replaces Lui Sitama as midfield cover.
It was not a particularly enjoyable week for ATL, who were soundly beaten by New York at The Snake Pit. In response Scott Lawrence has run the changes with eight personnel changes and a major reshuffle in the backline.
New signing Wikus Groenewald slots straight in at tighthead prop with Chance Wenglewski recalled at loosehead. Conor Keys replaces Johan Momsen at lock, and it’s all change in the back row with captain Matt Heaton rested and Vili Helu, Connor Cook, and Ross Deacon all starting.
Adriaan Carelse debuted off the bench against New York and made an immediate impact. He is rewarded with the No15 shirt, with Rory van Vugt shifting to the left wing and Mark O’Keeffe moving into the midfield. Jeremy Misailegalu is a straight sway for Zander van Schalkwyk on the right wing.
ATL has the more dynamic backline in terms of pure attacking ability, but Austin are the more settled of the two. Up front there are significant changes to both sides. Ross will help the AG’s lineout while Groenewald squares off against Mackintosh in the scrum.
It’s a wash in goal-kicking with Mack Mason and Robbie Petzer among the league’s best, though tactically Austin might have a slight edge. The Ratlers have a bigger pack overall with the Gilgronis loose forwards quicker across the ground.
This is an evenly matched contest with mild conditions on the weather forecast. Home turf and momentum are both with Austin. That’s just enough to give the Gilgronis the favorites tag.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on KBVO in Austin, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Isaac Ross, 5 Michael de Waal, 6 Dom Bailey, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Dominic Akina, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Conner Mooneyham, 12 Kurt Morath, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Rodrick Waters, 15 Will Magie
Replacements: 16 Mason Koch, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 LaRome White, 19 Cam Dodson, 20 Moe Abdelmonem, 21 Marcelo Torrealba, 22 Ned Hodson, 23 Cole Davis
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 Wikus Groenewald, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Connor Cook, 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Rory van Vugt, 12 Robbie Petzer, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Adriaan Carelse
Replacements: 16 Alex Maughan, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Jason Damm, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 23 Martini Talapusi
Date: Saturday, April 17
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Moe Chaudhry (Canada)
Assistants: Joey Swatzell (USA) & Butch Neuenschwander (USA)
Broadcasts: KBVO, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
n/a
