Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A new team enters the fray at Bold Stadium on Saturday as the AG’s roll out the orange carpet for their new neighbors and the only expansion team in Major League Rugby this season, the Dallas Jackals. The match also serves as the first in the 2022 Texas Cup series that is now contested by three teams including the Houston SaberCats.
It’s been a long time coming for Dallas fans, who have been waiting patiently after the team opted to postpone their entry to MLR by a year just ahead of last season. Bad news arrived again during the preseason as visa problems caused by the pandemic forced the team to part ways with intended Head Coach Michael Hodge. There’s also no indication when key signings Rory O’Connor and Charlie McKill might arrive.
The good news is that all four of their English Premiership additions are ready to go, with one-time England fullback Chris Pennell captaining the side. Outside center Henry Trinder and front row pair Ryan Bower and Todd Gleave are the others who will be leaned on heavily to provide leadership.
Bower notably has switched to his preferred loosehead side in the absence of O’Connor, with former Utah Warrior Alex Tucci named at tighthead. Moe Abdelmonem starts against his former team at openside flanker with Argentine import Conrado Roura making his league debut at No8. There is precious little backup for the pack with none of the five reserves having any previous appearances in MLR.
Halfback pair Carlo de Nysschen and Adriaan Carelse arrive from San Diego and Atlanta respectively, but none Campbell Johnstone, Aaron Gray, or Eric Naposki were in MLR last season. Naposki was the first overall pick in the Collegiate Draft. Former Eagles center Chad London is left among the reserves.
Dallas could hardly have been given a more difficult challenge on Day One. The Gilgronis have a fully loaded squad at their disposal and with title aspirations will be keen to put on a show for the Austin faithful. In recent weeks fans were given a behind-the-scenes look at their 2021 campaign in the documentary series “Inside The Scrum.”
There are two newcomers in the starting pack. Namatahi Waa arrives from New Zealand to take the No3 shirt, and former Houston captain Luke Beauchamp makes his AG debut on the flank. Eagles prop Faka’osi Pifeleti will make his regular season club bow as a replacement along with former NFL trialist Casey McDermott Vai, who should line up at the back of the scrum.
All four high-profile backline additions are ready to go from the start. Super Rugby veteran Ryan Louwrens is the new scrumhalf, with outside center Mark O’Keeffe acquired from Rugby ATL. Left wing Julián Domínguez was previously with NOLA, and Eagles regular Marcel Brache is at fullback. Dom Akina notably has made a switch from the back row to the midfield and is named on the bench.
It’s a big day for Dallas but the celebrations are likely to be muted once the whistle blows. Austin are genuine contenders to lift the MLR Shield and field a far more experienced squad. Expect a tough opening week for the Jackals and a busy day for AG goal kickers.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 4pm Pacific, 7pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on KBVO in Austin, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 3 Namatahi Waa, 4 Cam Dodson, 5 Isaac Ross, 6 Kyle Breytenbach, 7 Luke Beauchamp, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Mason Koch, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Christian Ostberg, 20 Casey McDermott Vai, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Will Magie, 23 Dom Akina
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Ryan Bower, 2 Todd Gleave, 3 Alex Tucci, 4 Mike Matarazzo, 5 Jérémy Lenaerts, 6 Bronson Teles, 7 Moe Abdelmonem, 8 Conrado Roura, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Aaron Gray, 12 Campbell Johnstone, 13 Henry Trinder, 14 Eric Naposki, 15 Chris Pennell (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Matt Frings, 17 Timmy Ohlwein, 18 Tommy Madaras, 19 Sam Phillips, 20 Romain Gadeaux, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Chad London, 23 Dylan James
Date: Saturday, February 5
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 18:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 19:00 Eastern)
Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Broadcasts: KBVO, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
n/a
