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The Gold’s stunning upset of the Giltinis last weekend adds new intrigue to Saturday’s match at the Coliseum. What would have been a substantial buffer at the top of the Western Conference is now only five points and LA’s home field advantage for the playoffs is at risk.
On the other side of second-place Utah are the Gilgronis, currently sitting just five back of the Warriors. Following their win over San Diego they have enjoyed a week off to prepare for this second meeting between the two Adam Gilchrist-owned sides, the first a hard-fought battle won by LA.
With Ruben de Haas and Bryce Campbell away on test duty and Conner Mooneyham injured there are three changes to the backline. Pele Cowley takes over at scrumhalf, Ned Hodson steps in at inside center, and Zinzan Elan-Puttick fills the gap on the wing.
The Giltinis were caught short of what was required against the Gold. It was their first home defeat and they will be determined to make amends knowing a loss could make it the last time they play at the Coliseum this season. Darren Coleman has made six changes to the side in response.
First choice pairing JP Smith and Mahe Vailanu come back into the front row. Angus Cottrell is out this week so Nathan Den Hoedt moves to the blindside flank and Luke White returns from suspension to start at lock. Ireland u20 cap Sean O’Brien gets his first Major League Rugby start in the No7 shirt with Pago Haini on the bench.
Harrison Goddard is restored at scrumhalf with Cristian Rodriguez among the replacements. Out wide there is a notable return for DTH van der Merwe after a three-game absence with Adam Ashley-Cooper moving back into his preferred outside center spot. Luke Burton starts in place of Glenn Bryce at fullback.
There is no thought of LA coasting through this match with points very much required to secure first place in the West. Meanwhile Austin know that a defeat here would likely end any hopes of squeaking into the Semi Final. With sunshine on the forecast all the ingredients are there for a thrilling contest. With home field advantage and a stronger lineup, LA can be considered favorites.
Kickoff is set for 5:30pm local time, 8:30pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Bally Sports SoCal in Los Angeles and KBVO in Austin, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
LA GILTINIS
1 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Mahe Vailanu, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Luke White, 6 Nathan Den Hoedt, 7 Sean O’Brien, 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 Sean McNulty, 17 Sione Tu’ihalamaka, 18 Ma’ake Muti, 19 Pago Haini, 20 Ben Weischedel, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Serupepeli Vularika, 23 Adam Channel
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Cam Dodson, 5 Sebastian de Chaves (capt.), 6 Dominic Akina, 7 Michael de Waal, 8 Locky McCaffrey, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 Kurt Morath, 11 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 12 Ned Hodson, 13 Frank Halai, 14 Nick Johnson, 15 Mack Mason
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Christian Ostberg, 20 Kyle Breytenbach, 21 Sidney Shoop, 22 Rodrick Waters, 23 David Still
Date: Saturday, July 10
Venue: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Kickoff: 17:30 local (20:30 Eastern)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Jack Gohl (Australia)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports SoCal, KBVO, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-05-19 – Austin Gilgronis 3, LA Giltinis 17 (Bold Stadium)
