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Two teams in desperate search of a victory square off at Choctaw Stadium on Saturday evening. The Dallas Jackals of course are looking for their first ever Major League Rugby win, while the Seattle Seawolves are attempting to shake off a three-game losing streak.
All three of Seattle’s defeats have come by seven points or less, but when the come in succession it can quickly become a habit. Allen Clarke has made five changes and one positional switch in an effort to get his charges back on the winning track.
Samu Manoa gets his first start of the campaign at lock with Brad Tucker sitting out. Ben Landry is also absent, with Setefano Funaki taking his place on the blindside flank. Tommy Clark is the loose forward cover in just his second match day appearance of the season.
In the backs there is a Mat Turner sighting at fullback, with Lauina Futi tagging in for Ross Neal on the right wing. AJ Alatimu also drops to the reserves with Kieran Joyce making his first start of the season at flyhalf. The midfielders switch jerseys with Dan Kriel taking his preferred inside center spot and Tavite Lopeti pushing to outside center.
Dallas bounced back from their abysmal display in Utah with a respectable showing against the Gold. They were within three points with under 10 minutes to play but couldn’t quite squeeze out what would have been a famous victory.
Injuries have deprived the team of Conrado Roura and captain Chris Pennell this week, and with the cupboard already bare up front there is slim pickings to fill the gaps. Matt Frings moves to openside flanker with Brendan Rams handed the start at hooker. Jérémy Lenaerts leads the side for the first time in place of Pennell.
New acquisition Herman Agenbag will make his debut as a replacement, one of three props on the bench along with Alex Tucci and Timmy Ohlwein. Romain Gadeaux is the only conventional back row cover with no sign of Shawn Clark or Sam Phillips.
Softening the loss of Pennell somewhat is the return of Henry Trinder at outside center. Alejandro Torres starts at fullback, his third different position this season, and Chad London is back in the side as an extra midfielder among the replacements.
The Texas sky should be calm and clear on Saturday which should allow for an entertaining game. Dallas looks a bit ragged up front but their backs are dangerous and hold all hopes for an upset. Seattle simply can’t accept defeat here if they are to make the postseason. Look for the Seawolves to break out of their slump on the road.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on Root Sports Plus in Seattle, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Ryan Bower, 2 Brendan Rams, 3 Tommy Madaras, 4 Bronson Teles, 5 Jérémy Lenaerts (capt.), 6 Mike Matarazzo, 7 Matt Frings, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 Tom Brusati, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Cael Hodgson, 12 Ned Hodson, 13 Henry Trinder, 14 Eric Naposki, 15 Alejandro Torres
Replacements: 16 Luke Rizzo, 17 Alex Tucci, 18 Herman Agenbag, 19 Romain Gadeaux, 20 Timmy Ohlwein, 21 Dylan James, 22 Chad London, 23 Campbell Johnstone
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Setefano Funaki, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 Kieran Joyce, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Dan Kriel, 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Mat Turner
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Victor Comptat, 20 Tommy Clark, 21 Reid Watkins, 22 AJ Alatimu, 23 Ross Neal
Date: Saturday, March 19
Venue: Choctaw Stadium, Arlington
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Cole Jones (USA) & Brian Dusablon (USA)
TMO: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Broadcasts: Root Sports Plus, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
n/a
