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Wrapping up Saturday’s trio of clashes is arguably the most intriguing. The second-place Utah Warriors host the surging San Diego Legion in a match that will either propel the hosts one step closer to their Semi Final goal or vault the visitors back into the contenders list.
It was San Diego who took bragging rights in their first meeting this year, a narrow victory played on a side pitch at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson. Notably it maintained the Legion’s perfect record against the Warriors. That goose egg is one Utah will be desperate to crack within the familiar confines of Zions Bank Stadium.
A last-gasp try from Olive Kilifi saved the Warriors from what could have been a crippling loss to the Seawolves last weekend. There were enough positives from the performance for Shawn Pittman to retain the majority of the side with only one enforced change and one tactical.
Lance Williams is out but Thomas Tu’avao is fit to fill in on the blindside flank, the only alteration to the forward pack. In the backs there is a recall for Hagen Schulte at flyhalf. Calvin Whiting moves back to the midfield at the expense of Derek Ellingson. Namibia international Cliven Loubser returns from injury to take up a spot on the bench.
The Legion welcomed new names in Māori internationals Tom Franklin and Dan Pryor in last week’s win over the Arrows. Also lauded was the return of former England captain Chris Robshaw from a shoulder injury. It was their third straight victory, a run that features an average offensive output of 41 points.
Robshaw is handed the No7 shirt in the only change up front with Canada select Michael Smith settling for a spot on the bench this week. Carlo de Nysschan swaps in for Ethan McVeigh at scrumhalf, and Cecil Afrika is back to take a spot among the replacements.
EDIT: A late change sees Dan Pryor dropping out to the lineup with Tevita Tameilau starting at No8. Jasa Veremalua fills the vacancy on the bench.
Conditions should be almost perfect at Salt Lake which sets the stage for a mighty confrontation. The Warriors hold a seven-point buffer in the standings and have home field advantage, but San Diego are a side brimming with confidence and are one of the form teams in MLR. Given their historical success against Utah, San Diego can justifiably be considered small favorites despite being on the road.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 6pm Pacific, 9pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Antenna TV in San Diego and the KSL Sports App in Utah, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Aston Fortuin, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Thomas Tu’avao, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Michael Baska, 10 Hagen Schulte, 11 Josh Whippy, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 Chad Gough, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Saia Uhila, 20 Mike Gieselman, 21 Fraser Hurst, 22 Cliven Loubser, 23 James Vaifale
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Dean Muir, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Joshua Furno, 5 Tom Franklin, 6 Psalm Wooching, 7 Chris Robshaw, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Joe Pietersen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Cameron Clark (capt.), 15 Santiago González Iglesias
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Nathan Sylvia, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Jasa Veremalua, 20 Keni Nasoqeqe, 21 Michael Smith, 22 Ethan McVeigh, 23 Cecil Afrika
Date: Saturday, June 12
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 19:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Niku Kruger (USA)
Broadcasts: Antenna TV, KSL Sports App, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-04-17 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 29 (Dignity Health Track Field)
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)
