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San Diego’s hopes for a miracle playoff spot are now dashed, but they can still make their mark if they can turnover the Gilgronis in Austin on Saturday evening. For the home side it’s an opportunity to potentially restore their place at the top of the Western Conference table though they trail the Giltinis by one point heading into the weekend.
The AG’s have now dropped two games on the trot and did not look anywhere close to their best against the Warriors in Utah last weekend. With their conference lead now evaporated, they need every point they can squeeze out of their last to games of the regular season.
It’s all chance in the tight five this week as Jake Turnbull, Hugh Roach, and Namatahi Waa start in the front row. Sebastian de Chaves partners Isaac Ross in the second row. Maclean Jones settles for a spot among the reserves this week with Locky McCaffrey taking his place on the side of the scrum.
There is a notable return of Mack Mason at flyhalf this week. He will be partnered by Ryan Louwrens as the first choice halfback combination is restored. Mark O’Keeffe moves back to outside center, Marcel Brache shifts to fullback, and the wingers this week are Zinzan Elan-Puttick and Conner Mooneyham.
This is now the season finale for the Legion, who worst case scenario will finish with an even record. Danny Lee’s star-studded roster has misfired at times this season and they will be keen to go out on a high note, though they’ll be without two key backs this week.
Will Hooley and Matías Freyre are ruled out after suffering injuries against NOLA. There is good news, however, with the return of inspirational scrumhalf Nate Augspurger ahead of schedule. Scottish age grade international Josh Henderson will make his Major League Rugby debut at flyhalf in place of Hooley. with Augspurger taking Freyre’s spot on the bench.
Hencus van Wyk moves to loosehead prop this week with Paddy Ryan handed the No3 shirt. Ben Grant partners Jale Railala at lock, as Ben Mitchell sits on the bench for the first time this season. Peter Malcolm is fit to take up a spot as backup to starting hooker James Hilterbrand.
The Legion have a score to settle after dropping their home game to Austin in April. They’ll have to front up in the searing Texas heat with both sides certain to reach for their bench early. Austin have too much on the line to let this game slip, with San Diego certainly have the goods to cause an upset. Take the home side but not by any kind of comfortable margin.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on YurView in San Diego with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Namatahi Waa, 4 Sebastian de Chaves, 5 Isaac Ross, 6 Locky McCaffrey, 7 Luke Beauchamp, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ryan Louwrens, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Zinzan Elan-Puttick, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Mason Koch, 17 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 18 LaRome White, 19 Christian Ostberg, 20 Maclean Jones, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Will Magie, 23 Chris Mattina
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Hencus van Wyk, 2 James Hilterbrand, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Ben Grant, 5 Jale Railala, 6 Dan Pryor, 7 Michael Smith, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Josh Henderson, 11 Tomas Aoake, 12 Ma’a Nonu (capt.), 13 Tiaan Loots, 14 Bjorn Basson, 15 Joe Pietersen
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Nathan Sylvia, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Ben Mitchell, 20 Chris Robshaw, 21 Nate Augspurger, 22 Josh Thiel, 23 Ryan Matyas
Date: Saturday, May 28
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Scott Green (USA) & Cole Jones (USA)
TMO: Luke Rogan (USA)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network, YurView
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-10 – San Diego Legion 21, Austin Gilgronis 35 (SDSU Sports Deck)
2021-06-26 – San Diego Legion 14, Austin Gilgronis 33 (Torero Stadium)
2021-03-28 – Austin Gilgronis 11, San Diego Legion 14 (Bold Stadium)
2019-04-07 – San Diego Legion 45, Austin Elite 15 (Torero Stadium)
2019-02-22 – Austin Elite 17, San Diego Legion 45 (Dell Diamond)
2018-06-17 – San Diego Legion 31, Austin Elite 17 (Torero Stadium)
2018-05-25 – Austin Elite 31, San Diego Legion 5 (Round Rock Multipurpose Complex)
