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It’s been nearly two years since West Conference originals San Diego and Utah squared off in Major League Rugby. The wait will finally be over on Saturday as the Legion host the Warriors in Carson, California, at their temporary home base of Dignity Health Sports Park.
All three of their prior meetings have been won by San Diego. In fact the Legion were Utah’s first ever MLR opponent. That match in April 2018 was the closest of the three, but even then a late try boosted the scoreline for the Warriors in what was an otherwise dominant win for their hosts.
Both teams tasted defeat last weekend. San Diego improved from their comprehensive Week 3 defeat in Atlanta but still came up just short at Houston. It was their third loss of the campaign, already equaling their season-long total of 2019.
The loss of Chris Robshaw to a shoulder injury stings and sees a reshuffle in the pack. Keni Nasoqeqe moves from second to back row with Psalm Wooching switching from blindside to openside flanker. Siaosi Mahoni comes in at lock. Rotation in the front row sees Peter Malcolm and Chris Baumann in at hooker and tighthead prop respectively.
There is a boost to the backline with the return of Santiago González Iglesias at inside center Dylan Audsley bumps out to the wing, with Save Totovosau dropped from the match day roster entirely.
EDIT: A late change to the lineup sees Joe Pietersen missing out. González Iglesias moves to flyhalf and Audsley back to inside center. Ryan Matyas starts on the wing. Cole Zarcone added to the bench.
It’s a 6-2 split on the bench with three loose forwards including Canadian age-grade international Michael Smith, who is set to make his pro debut. Also notable is the return of talismanic scrumhalf Nate Augspurger though he settles for a replacement role in his return from injury.
After two wins to start the campaign the Warriors have now dropped back-to-back results. They nearly conjured a last-gasp recovery against Seattle but their set piece execution let them down. Utah’s task will to be to eliminate the unforced errors and get back on the winning side of narrow results.
It’s same again in the pack but there are three personnel changes in the backline. Michael Baska returns from injury to jump straight back into the No9 shirt, and Tyler Fisher starts at inside center. Fraser Hurst and Calvin Whiting drop to the bench. Mike Te’o moves to fullback in Cliven Loubser’s absence with Joseph Mano promoted to the run-on side.
Two veteran forwards will make their first appearances of the season in the bench. Warriors stalwart Saia Uhila covers lock, and Eagles tighthead prop Paul Mullen is set make his Utah debut against his former team. Derek Ellingson could make his pro debut after being an unused replacement last weekend.
The forecast suggests perfect conditions for running rugby on Saturday which will appeal to the Legion’s star-studded backs division. San Diego also features more powerful ball carriers up front, an aspect that Seattle exploited at Zions Bank Stadium. Despite two losses it’s also the home side that looked sharper on the weekend. Take San Diego to win in their California return.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 5pm Mountain, 7pm Eastern. CBS Sports Network will broadcast live in the USA and Canada, with The Rugby Network streaming abroad.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Siaosi Mahoni, 6 Keni Nasoqeqe, 7 Psalm Wooching, 8 Tevita Tameilau (capt.), 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Santiago González Iglesias, 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Dylan Audsley, 13 Cameron Clark, 14 Ryan Matyas, 15 Cecil Afrika
Replacements: 16 Dean Muir, 17 Cronan Gleeson, 18 Aaron Mitchell, 19 Travis Larsen, 20 Jasa Veremalua, 21 Michael Smith, 22 Nate Augspurger, 23 Cole Zarcone
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 5 Aston Fortuin, 6 Thomas Tu’avao, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Lance Williams, 9 Michael Baska, 10 Hagen Schulte, 11 Josh Whippy, 12 Tyler Fisher, 13 Mika Kruse, 14 Joseph Mano, 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 Chad Gough, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Paul Mullen, 19 Mike Gieselman, 20 Saia Uhila, 21 Fraser Hurst, 22 Calvin Whiting, 23 Derek Ellingson
Date: Saturday, April 17
Venue: Dignity Health Sports Park, Carson
Kickoff: 16:00 local (17:00 Mountain, 19:00 Eastern)
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Austin Reed (USA) & Jacob Gonzalez (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2019-05-18 – Utah Warriors 21, San Diego Legion 31 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2019-02-17 – San Diego Legion 21, Utah Warriors 10 (Torero Stadium)
2018-04-29 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 24 (Torero Stadium)
