Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
Major League Rugby reaches its midpoint at the conclusion of this weekend. Kicking off Round 9 is a Western Conference clash between the Utah Warriors and the San Diego Legion. Zions Bank Stadium provides the backdrop for the third time in what will be the seventh meeting of the two founding members since the inaugural 2018 campaign.
San Diego have won five of the six head-to-heads to date, including their opening week match at the Sports Deck in February. On that day the Legion were well on the way to a comprehensive victory but a late surge from the Warriors saw the visitors earning two bonus points in defeat.
As things stand those points count for little. Utah are languishing in second-to-last spot in the West with a 2-5 record. They’ve dropped back-to-back home games against Toronto and Houston, and are desperate to turn their form around against the Legion.
With Jamie Lane now sidelined after being hurt against the SaberCats, it’s back to the second row for Thomas Tu’avao. Warriors Selects call-up James Mocke provides cover on the bench. Lance Williams is restored to the starting lineup on the blindside flank.
It’s the backs that see the most dramatic change. Paul Lasike and Tyler Fisher are the new midfield combination with the former making his first start since returning from England and the latter back from suspension. Injury to Mika Kruse sees Connor Burns handed a spot on the wing. Calvin Whiting settles for a reserve role along with Coleson Warner, who is set to make just his second MLR appearance.
The Legion aren’t miles ahead with a 4-3 record but their 21 points are good enough for second place behind Austin. They suffered a disappointing loss to the Giltinis two weeks ago, but have had a week off to rest bodies and address some work-ons.
Hencus van Wyk switches to his preferred tighthead prop role, with Nathan Sylvia coming in at loosehead. Peter Malcolm is a straight swap for Matt Moulds at hooker, and Michael Smith comes in at openside flanker with Dan Pryor on the bench and no sign of Chris Robshaw.
There is a new arrival this week in New Zealander Tomas Aoake, who starts on the left wing. Bjorn Basson is recalled on the right, with Matías Freyre lining up at fullback. Joe Pietersen has moved up to flyhalf this week as Will Hooley occupies a replacements jersey.
While it’s admirable that Utah have the ability to stay in the game late, if they want to start winning games they need to get on the front foot early and show more composure in scoring position. Securing first phase possession may be a challenge without Lane, their best lineout jumper, particularly against San Diego’s twin towers Ben Mitchell and Ben Grant. If the Legion can mitigate Lasike’s impact at the gainline it could be a long day for their hosts. Give the favorites tag to the visitors.
Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 7pm Pacific, 10pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Fox 5 San Diego and YurView in California, and KMYU and KSL Sports online in Utah. Viewers elsewhere in the USA and abroad can watch a live stream on The Rugby Network.
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Thomas Tu’avao, 5 Puna Vuli, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Niall Saunders, 10 Caleb Makene, 11 Connor Burns, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Mike Te’o, 15 Cliven Loubser
Replacements: 16 Joey Backe, 17 Franco van den Berg, 18 Paul Mullen, 19 James Mocke, 20 Mike Gieselman, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Calvin Whiting, 23 Coleson Warner
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Hencus van Wyk, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Ben Grant, 6 Rohan O’Regan, 7 Michael Smith, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Nate Augspurger (capt.), 10 Joe Pietersen, 11 Tomas Aoake, 12 Tiaan Loots, 13 Thomas Morani, 14 Bjorn Basson, 15 Matías Freyre
Replacements: 16 Matt Moulds, 17 Joe Walsh, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Chris Turori, 20 Dan Pryor, 21 Jason Higgins, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Ryan Matyas
Date: Friday, April 1
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 20:00 local (19:00 Pacific, 22:00 Eastern)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Kage Green (USA)
TMO: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Broadcasts: Fox 5 San Diego, KMYU, KSL Sports, The Rugby Network, YurView California
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-02-06 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 29 (SDSU Sports Deck)
2021-06-12 – Utah Warriors 45, San Diego Legion 41 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2021-04-17 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 29 (Dignity Health Track Field)
2019-05-18 – Utah Warriors 21, San Diego Legion 31 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2019-02-17 – San Diego Legion 21, Utah Warriors 10 (Torero Stadium)
2018-04-29 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 24 (Torero Stadium)
