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It’s another titanic clash for the Giltinis on Saturday as they head across the country to face Eastern Conference leaders Rugby ATL at The Snake Pit. LA’s last trip to the opposite coast did not end well. Can the Ratlers repeat New York’s heroics?
Since that memorable match in New Jersey the Giltinis have gone back to the winning business, though both Utah and Austin proved worthy opponents. With a 14-point lead at the top of the Western Conference their place in the Semi Final is a certainty but there are still battles to be won along the way.
Sean McNulty tags in for Lindsey Stevens at hooker as Mahe Vailanu remains sidelined with a broken thumb. Nathan Den Hoedt is ruled out with a knee strain so it’s Luke White who gets the call for just his second start of the season at lock. Langilangi Haupeakui is added to a bench that shows a 6-2 split.
Speaking of success, ATL have now rattled off four wins in a row following their narrow defeat to Austin last month. They made quick work of Seattle on the road last weekend and will be brimming with confidence despite LA’s intimidating record.
There are two personnel changes up front and one positional switch. Conor Keys and Ross Deacon drop to the bench, with Vili Helu coming in on the blindside flank and Jason Damm restored at the back of the scrum. Marno Redelinghuys shifts to lock with flanker Connor Cook returning from injury to take up a spot among the reserves.
Rory van Vugt is a straight swap for Austin White on the left wing in the only change out wide. As with LA it’s a 6-2 split among the replacements with Ryan Rees returning as scrumhalf cover in place of Duncan van Schalkwyk. Robbie Petzer is the only other backs reserve.
With no significant weather events on the forecast this promises to be a fascinating confrontation that could be a preview of the Final. ATL’s rush defense has been touted as the league’s best and New York showed that LA are fallible under pressure. That said the Giltinis are well rested and will not come unprepared. The visitors remain favorites but will be wary of being bitten.
Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 5pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on Bally Sports SoCal in Los Angeles and 11 Alive in Atlanta, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 Wikus Groenewald, 4 Johan Momsen, 5 Marno Redelinghuys, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Jason Damm, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Rory van Vugt, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Te Rangatira Waitokia
Replacements: 16 Neethling Gericke, 17 Alex Maughan, 18 Will Burke, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Ross Deacon, 21 Connor Cook, 22 Ryan Rees, 23 Robbie Petzer
LA GILTINIS
1 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Sean McNulty, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Luke White, 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Adam Ashe, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Matt Giteau, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Bill Meakes, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Luke Burton
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Stevens, 17 Blake Rogers, 18 Frikkie de Beer, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Langilangi Haupeakui, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Ryan James
Date: Saturday, May 29
Venue: Lupo Family Field, Marietta
Kickoff: 20:00 local (17:00 Pacific)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Mike Lash (New Zealand) & Henrique Platais (Brazil)
Broadcasts: 11 Alive, Bally Sports SoCal, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
n/a
