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The San Diego Legion renew their West Coast rivalry with the Seattle Seawolves at the Sports Deck on Sunday. Both teams arrive at the match with 2-0 records, a positive start to the campaign after what was a frustrating 2021 season for each.
It’s a rivalry that stretches back to the start of Major League Rugby, and most notably saw the Seawolves edging the Legion in the epic 2019 Championship Final. As it stands the two teams have split their eight previous meetings, with the Legion winning the most recent battle in Chula Vista last July.
San Diego overcame an early deficit against the expansion Dallas Jackals last weekend but it came at a cost. Five players have been ruled out with injury and with several off-season signings still to arrive the club is reaching into their depth chart to fill their roster.
Matt Moulds gets his first MLR start replacing Peter Malcolm at hooker, with Chris Schade called up to the bench as cover. Both Chris Robshaw and Dan Pryor are out so there are new flankers in Chris Turori and Michael Smith. The back row reserve this week is Derrick Broussard.
An early injury to Will Hooley in the Dallas game saw Patrick Madden step in at flyhalf, but Joe Pietersen is fit for duty this week so the former captain wears the No10 jersey. Thomas Morani retains his spot in the midfield following the injury to Tiaan Loots in the warm-up before the Dallas game.
Seattle impressed early against Utah and fought fatigue to hold on for a narrow victory at Starfire Stadium. They look a far more composed side this year but this is their first road test. Allen Clarke has made three changes to his lineup, two enforced.
Dewald Donald was injured against the Warriors so it’s Kellen Gordon who starts at loosehead prop with Matt Duncan added to the bench. Tongan international Setefano Funaki is a new signing who jumps straight into the second row, with Victor Comptat playing a reserve role this week.
In the backs it’s Dan Kriel who is out injured with Martin Iosefo sliding into the midfield to partner Tavite Lopeti. Taking up the spot on the wing is Lauina Futi. It’s the first appearance of the year for the American Samoan speedster who made a big impact after signing half-way through last season.
Bright and sunny conditions as ever are expected in San Diego. The Legion may hold some advantage at home but the Seawolves are unlikely to be intimidated by the Sports Deck having won at Torero Stadium in the past. On form it’s Seattle who look the better side, with San Diego’s scorelines slightly flattering.
The most significant factor are injuries and there’s no question the home side has been impacted to a greater degree. Take the visitors to inch ahead in the head-to-head historical results.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 5pm Eastern. A local broadcast is available on Root Sports in Seattle with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Matt Moulds, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Ben Grant, 6 Chris Turori, 7 Michael Smith, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Nate Augspurger, 10 Joe Pietersen, 11 Bjorn Basson, 12 Ma’a Nonu (capt.), 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Ryan Matyas, 15 Matías Freyre
Replacements: 16 Chris Schade, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Jonah Dietenberger, 20 Derrick Broussard, 21 Nico Gilli, 22 Patrick Madden, 23 Dom Iacovino
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Kellen Gordon, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Setefano Funaki, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Lauina Futi, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Martin Iosefo, 14 Ross Neal, 15 Duncan Matthews
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Matt Duncan, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Victor Comptat, 20 Travis Larsen, 21 Reid Watkins, 22 Kieran Joyce, 23 David Busby
Date: Sunday, February 20
Venue: SDSU Sports Deck, San Diego
Kickoff: 14:00 local (17:00 Eastern)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Jacob Gonzalez (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: Root Sports, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-07-03 – San Diego Legion 34, Seattle Seawolves 21 (Elite Athlete Training Center)
2021-05-09 – Seattle Seawolves 21, San Diego Legion 15 (Starfire Stadium)
2020-02-09 – San Diego Legion 33, Seattle Seawolves 24 (Torero Stadium)
2019-06-16 – San Diego Legion 23, Seattle Seawolves 26 (Torero Stadium)
2019-03-31 – Seattle Seawolves 22, San Diego Legion 28 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-02-02 – San Diego Legion 17, Seattle Seawolves 13 (Torero Stadium)
2018-06-30 – Seattle Seawolves 38, San Diego Legion 24 (Infinity Park)
2018-04-22 – Seattle Seawolves 39, San Diego Legion 23 (Starfire Stadium)
