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Austin’s credentials as title contenders will be put to the test on Saturday evening when the Gilgronis host the Utah Warriors at Bold Stadium. The two sides are old foes, having faced each other on seven previous occasions since Major League Rugby’s inception in 2018.
For the AG’s it’s not just about maintaining momentum after two 50-plus point efforts. There is also a matter of redemption. Utah beat them on both occasions last season, the second a viscerally painful experience. Austin has not bettered the Warriors since 2018 when the team was still the ‘Elite’.
Continuity is the name of the game for Sam Harris thus far and he has stuck with the same starting lineup that trounced Old Glory, with one exception. A late change to the lineup sees Marcel Brache ruled out and Chris Mattina called up to make his regular season Giltinis debut at fullback.
Among the forward reserves Cam Dodson returns from a short spell on the sidelines to cover lock, and the team welcomes back Locky McCaffrey for the first time this season. The Australian made a big impact upon arrival last season and should quickly find himself back in running for the No8 position.
Utah have suffered consecutive defeats to start their season but in both matches showed mental toughness to at least salvage losing bonus points. It’s fair to call them the best 0-2 team in the league, though that’s scant consolation for a team that played in the Western Conference Final last season.
Rotation at tighthead prop continues with Paul Mullen swapping shirts with Angus MacLellan this week. Jamie Lane returns to bolster the lineout at lock with Saia Uhila drawing reserve duty. Injury to Olive Kilifi means that Canada u20 prop Emerson Prior could make his MLR debut as a replacement.
In the backs there is a notable change at flyhalf where Caleb Makene steps in for the absent Cliven Loubser. Mika Kruse has recovered from a short injury break to take up a spot on the right wing, with Mikey Te’o dropping back to fullback where he was so dangerous last season.
Judging by recent results this seems an easy game to pick, with the AG’s firing on all cylinders and the Warriors not quite there. Utah are a clear step up in opposition, however, and with a bye week on the horizon they will be desperate to pick up a win to raise their spirits. That said momentum, home field advantage, and experience on the bench tips the scales in Austin’s direction. Take the Texans in an entertaining contest.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on KBVO in Austin, and both KMYU and KSL Sports online in Utah. The Rugby Network will stream to others across North America and abroad.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Robbie Coetzee, 3 Namatahi Waa, 4 Christian Ostberg, 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 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Chris Mattina
Replacements: 16 Hugh Roach, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Cam Dodson, 20 Locky McCaffrey, 21 Sidney Shoop, 22 Will Magie, 23 Dom Akina
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Puna Vuli, 5 Jamie Lane, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Niall Saunders, 10 Caleb Makene, 11 James Vaifale, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 Chad Gough, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Saia Uhila, 20 Thomas Tu’avao, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Tomasi Tonga, 23 Connor Burns
Date: Saturday, February 19
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Joey Swatzell (USA) & Andrew Low (USA)
TMO: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Broadcasts: KBVO, KMYU, KSL Sports, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-05-29 – Utah Warriors 45, Austin Gilgronis 24 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2021-03-20 – Austin Gilgronis 28, Utah Warriors 30 (Bold Stadium)
2020-02-22 – Austin Gilgronis 20, Utah Warriors 20 (Bold Stadium)
2019-04-27 – Utah Warriors 35, Austin Elite 19 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2019-02-01 – Austin Elite 9, Utah Warriors 17 (Dell Diamond)
2018-06-01 – Austin Elite 41, Utah Warriors 33 (Round Rock Multipurpose Complex)
2018-05-11 – Utah Warriors 41, Austin Elite 22 (Zions Bank Stadium)
