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The Dallas Jackals continue their introduction to Major League Rugby in San Diego on Saturday afternoon. It was a difficult lesson learned in Austin last weekend and it doesn’t look any easier with the Legion naming their best available lineup including All Blacks legend Ma’a Nonu.
After a sluggish opening period, San Diego came to life in the second half against Utah. They looked sharp at times but faded in the final quarter to allow the Warriors back into the match. Nonu is handed not just the No12 shirt, but also the captaincy for the first time. Tiaan Loots shifts to outside center with Thomas Morani named among the reserves.
Nathan Sylvia, a late scratch last week, is fit to return at loosehead prop with Hencus van Wyk moving across to tighthead. The only other squad change comes on the bench where second row Jonah Dietenberger could make his professional debut, taking the spot of Chris Turori.
Injury will deprive the Jackals of Chris Pennell for the match, with Canadian flanker Moe Abdelmonem captaining the side in his stead. Campbell Johnstone moves to fullback with Chad London called into the midfield to partner Henry Trinder.
The only other change to the starting lineup sees Bronson Teles and Mike Matarazzo swapping jerseys in the pack, with Teles moving to lock and Matarazzo to the blindside flank. Former Austin front rower Brendan Rams is summoned to the bench as prop cover.
Sunny skies are on the forecast which will again allow for running rugby. Once the Legion shook out the cobwebs against Utah they looked potent on offense and the addition of Nonu is bad news for Dallas. Pennell’s loss is significant for the Jackals, who simply can’t afford to lose any experienced bodies. Expect San Diego to have their way with the newcomers.
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 3pm Central, 4pm Eastern. A live broadcast will be available on Fox 5 San Diego with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Ben Grant, 6 Chris Robshaw, 7 Dan Pryor, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Nate Augspurger, 10 Will Hooley, 11 Matías Freyre, 12 Ma’a Nonu (capt.), 13 Tiaan Loots, 14 Bjorn Basson, 15 Joe Pietersen
Replacements: 16 Paddy Ryan, 17 Matt Moulds, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Jonah Dietenberger, 20 Michael Smith, 21 Nico Gilli, 22 Thomas Morani, 23 Ryan Matyas
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Ryan Bower, 2 Todd Gleave, 3 Alex Tucci, 4 Bronson Teles, 5 Jérémy Lenaerts, 6 Mike Matarazzo, 7 Moe Abdelmonem (capt.), 8 Conrado Roura, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Aaron Gray, 12 Chad London, 13 Henry Trinder, 14 Eric Naposki, 15 Campbell Johnstone
Replacements: 16 Matt Frings, 17 Brendan Rams, 18 Tommy Madaras, 19 Sam Phillips, 20 Romain Gadeaux, 21 Dylan James, 22 Ned Hodson, 23 Tom Brusati
Date: Saturday, February 12
Venue: SDSU Sports Deck, San Diego
Kickoff: 13:00 local (15:00 Central, 16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Jack Gohl (Australia) & Marquise Goodwin (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox 5 San Diego, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
n/a
