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Round 3 of the Major League Rugby campaign begins in Texas on Friday night. The Dallas Jackals return home to Choctaw Stadium and roll out the red carpet for the Seattle Seawolves. It’s the third meeting between the two, with both previous results going to the Seawolves – the second by a record score.
Last year’s Western Conference champions have started the season in fine form with two wins from two. This will be their first road game, and mindful of the challenges ahead Allen Clarke has taken the opportunity to rotate six of last week’s starters against ATL to the bench.
It’s all change in the front row where Jake Turnbull, James Malcolm, and Mason Pedersen trade in teens for single digit jerseys. Ben Landry moves into the second row, with Nakai Penny slotting in at openside flanker and Charles Elton swapping to the blindside.
AJ Alatimu gets his first opportunity to put pressure on red-hot newcomer Jordan Chait for the flyhalf shirt. The latter has impressed with his kicking boot and forced last season’s MLR scoring champ to a reserve role. Lauina Futi comes in for Martin Iosefo on the left wing.
Dallas are still in search of their first league victory and with 18 consecutive defeats are now just two shy of Austin’s unsightly record. They did take a step forward last week against the Warriors, going try-for-try with their hosts. Goal kicking cost them dearly, however, and the lone change to the backline could be a reflection of that situation.
Juan Pablo Aguirre has been ruled out after coming off at halftime in Utah. Conrado Roura took over the captaincy and should lead from the start on Friday. Alejandro Torres replaces Aguirre in the midfield, with his left boot an option to kick for points.
Lucas Bur and Maikeli Naromaitoga are both out, so Roura has been asked to fill in out of position at lock. Jalen Tatum fills the gap on the flank in his second MLR start and first as a forward – having previously lined up on the wing. Nicolás Revol tags in for Liam Murray at loosehead prop.
Three players will make their first appearances of the season off the bench. Herman Agenbag covers tighthead, with Charlie Hola the nominated lock replacement. Lui Sitama has re-joined the Jackals and the powerful midfielder will be looking to press his case when called upon.
Mild conditions are expected at kickoff with almost no wind on the forecast. The Jackals continue to show improvement but they face an impressive Seawolves side that is displaying their depth. Dallas look lightweight in the midfield and especially with Roura forced to pack down in the engine room. Look for the visitors to outmuscle their hosts en route to their third win on a row.
Kickoff is set for 7:05pm local time, 5:05pm Pacific, 8:05pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Fox 13+ in Seattle and KTXA in Dallas, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Nicolás Revol, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Conrado Roura (capt.), 6 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 7 Jalen Tatum, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 Pedro Imhoff, 10 Martín Elías, 11 James Vaifale, 12 Alejandro Torres, 13 Tomás Malanos, 14 Eric Naposki, 15 Adriaan Carelse
Replacements: 16 Liam Murray, 17 Connor Robinson, 18 Herman Agenbag, 19 Charlie Hola, 20 Carson Shoemaker, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Lui Sitama, 23 Patrick Medina
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Ben Landry, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Charles Elton, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Lauina Futi, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Duncan Matthews
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Mzamo Majola, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Taylor Krumrei, 20 Ben Mitchell, 21 Karl Keane, 22 Jordan Chait, 23 Martin Iosefo
Date: Friday, March 3
Venue: Choctaw Stadium, Arlington
Kickoff: 19:05 local (17:05 Pacific, 20:05 Eastern)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Andrew Low (USA) & Cole Jones (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox 13+, KTXA, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-05-08 – Seattle Seawolves 74, Dallas Jackals 7 (Starfire Stadium)
2022-03-19 – Dallas Jackals 12, Seattle Seawolves 34 (Choctaw Stadium)
