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A clash between two Western Conference playoff contenders ends the 13th week of the Major League Rugby season. The Gilgronis host the Seawolves at Bold Stadium on Sunday and the stakes are high for both. If Austin lose they open the door for LA to challenge for top spot. Seattle needs every point they can get with four teams within five points of each other heading into the weekend.
Historically the series is now tied with Austin winning all three meetings since their rebranding. The AG’s were convincing winners at Starfire Stadium in February, though their hosts salvaged a losing bonus point on the stroke of full-time.
That was the result that seemed to throw Seattle off course though they have rebounded with back-to-back wins over San Diego and Utah. Allen Clarke has made four personnel changes to the lineup that picked up that vital road win over the Warriors.
Both alterations up front come on the flank, and they are notable. Andrew Durutalo and Ben Landry have not made the trip to Texas, with Samu Manoa and Setefano Funaki joining Riekert Hattingh in a heavyweight back row. There is no Tim Metcher this week as Taniela Tupou is instead asked to provide backup for tighthead prop Sam Matenga.
AJ Alatimu returns to start at flyhalf with JP Smith moving back to his preferred scrumhalf role. Martin Iosefo missed the game in Utah but will start on the left wing this week, with Lauina Futi switching to the right. Ross Neal drops to the bench to make room.
Austin are on a roll again with four straight wins. They entered the weekend with a 10-point buffer over LA but their Gil-cousins had a game at hand. With a head-to-head clash on deck next weekend, the AG’s can’t afford to lose any momentum.
Jake Turnbull gets the start at loosehead prop after moonlighting as a replacement flanker against NOLA. Sebastian de Chaves partners Isaac Ross in the second row, and Maclean Jones returns at openside flanker with Locky McCaffrey switching to the blindside. Luke Beauchamp makes a notable return on the bench having missed the last six games.
First choice halfback duo Ryan Louwrens and Mack Mason are back with Pele Cowley and Will Magie named on the bench. Marcel Brache has recovered from injury to start at fullback, and Conner Mooneyham wears the No11 shirt in the absence of Julián Domínguez.
The forecast predicts a warm evening in Texas which will favor the team with the stronger bench. Seattle will hope the monster pack selected by Clarke can turn it into a battle of attrition, but the worry is that Austin will turn up the heat on attack to burn out the big men early. The home side look better equipped to go the distance and should be considered strong favorites.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 4pm Pacific, 7pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on KBVO in Austin and Root Sports in Seattle, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 Isaac Ross, 6 Locky McCaffrey, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Conner Mooneyham, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Robbie Coetzee, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 LaRome White, 19 Christian Ostberg, 20 Luke Beauchamp, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Will Magie, 23 Chris Mattina
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Brad Tucker, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Samu Manoa, 7 Setefano Funaki, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Duncan Matthews
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Tommy Clark, 20 Travis Larsen, 21 Reid Watkins, 22 Cole Zarcone, 23 Ross Neal
Date: Sunday, May 1
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 18:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 19:00 Eastern)
Referee: Marcus Playle (New Zealand)
Assistants: Scott Green (USA) & Joey Swatzell (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
Broadcasts: KBVO, Root Sports, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-02-26 – Seattle Seawolves 18, Austin Gilgronis 25 (Starfire Stadium)
2021-06-20 – Seattle Seawolves 31, Austin Gilgronis 36 (Starfire Stadium)
2021-04-25 – Austin Gilgronis 42, Seattle Seawolves 15 (Bold Stadium)
2019-06-02 – Seattle Seawolves 38, Austin Elite 26 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-03-16 – Austin Elite 17, Seattle Seawolves 29 (Dell Diamond)
2018-06-08 – Austin Elite 19, Seattle Seawolves 20 (Round Rock Multipurpose Complex)
