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The two current conference leaders will go head-to-head in Atlanta on Saturday to start the sixth week of the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Rugby ATL represent the East, with the unbeaten Austin Gilgronis heading up both the West and the overall standings.
In their only previous encounter it was the AG’s who came out on top in Texas, with Mack Mason’s penalty goal on full-time securing the win. Mason will be front and center once again this time as he returns to the starting lineup after missing last week’s win over the LA Giltinis.
Isaac Ross sits out this week as Christian Ostberg starts in the second row. Sebastian de Chaves returns to take his place in the match day squad for the first time this season. Also making his first appearance this year is LaRome White, who tags in for Faka’osi Pifeleti as reserve loosehead prop.
Injuries have ruled out Kyle Breytenbach and Luke Beauchamp so Dom Akina is asked to fill in on the flank with Asa Carter providing backup. The return of Mason is the only change in the starting backline, with Will Magie settling for a spot on the bench.
Last week’s win over Houston was a bit of a mixed back for the Ratlers. After a poor start they exploded with four first half tries but then shifted back into cruise control in the second half. Stephen Brett has made seven personnel changes as he looks for inspiration from different names this week.
Will Burke is recalled at loosehead prop with Connor Cook returning on the blindside flank. Evan Mintern starts at his preferred No8 position for the first time in ATL colors and there are two back row forwards in reserve in Deamon Torres and Ross Deacon.
The most notable change sees Martini Talapusi wearing the No10 shirt for the first time in the absence of Kurt Coleman, Joaquín de la Vega Mendía, and Duncan van Schalkwyk. Ryan Nell comes back into the midfield, Austin White moves to fullback, and Harley Davidson is named on the wing. Midfielder Lui Sitama is set to make his club debut as a replacement.
If the game itself wasn’t enough, players will also have to contend with freezing cold temperatures on the forecast. ATL will be crossing their fingers that Talapusi comes through unscathed with no obvious backup at flyhalf. That’s far from ideal against a team of Austin’s class.
That said the conditions may play into ATL’s hands. With an extra forward on the bench they will be keen to turn this into an arm-wrestle, and new arrival John-Roy Jenkinson is set to test the mettle of Austin’s scrum. It’s a fascinating contest, though more likely one for purists rather than casual fans. Take the visitors to extend their winning streak by a narrow margin.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 2pm Central, noon Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on KBVO in Austin with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Will Burke, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Connor Cook, 7 Matt Heaton (co-capt.), 8 Evan Mintern, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Martini Talapusi, 11 Harley Davidson, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Ryan Nell (co-capt.), 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Austin White
Replacements: 16 Alex Maughan, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 John Sullivan, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Ross Deacon, 21 Daemon Torres, 22 Ryan Rees, 23 Lui Sitama
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Namatahi Waa, 4 Christian Ostberg, 5 Cam Dodson, 6 Dom Akina, 7 Michael de Waal, 8 Locky McCaffrey, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 LaRome White, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Sebastian de Chaves, 20 Asa Carter, 21 Sidney Shoop, 22 Will Magie, 23 Chris Mattina
Date: Saturday, March 12
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 14:00 Central)
Broadcasts: KBVO, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-04-17 – Austin Gilgronis 17, Rugby ATL 15 (Bold Stadium)
