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Two storied metropolitan sporting rivals will clash for the first time on Saturday when the Toronto Arrows face the Chicago Hounds at SeatGeek Stadium. The two cities have squared off in hockey since 1926, followed by baseball, basketball, and soccer. Now it’s rugby’s turn.
Chicago were formally welcomed by over 4,400 fans in their home opener last weekend. The result didn’t quite go their way on the field but it was a promising start for a team that was only formally confirmed in mid-November. With most of their firsts out of the way, it’s a first win that the Hounds are now chasing.
To do so on Saturday they’ll have to perform without three starters. Hugh Roach and Julián Domínguez were injured against Utah last weekend, while Luke White will sit out one more week with his hamstring complaint. Lindsey Stevens starts at hooker with Mike Matarazzo continuing at lock.
There is better news in the backs with the arrival of Billy Meakes, MLR’s Back of the Year in each of the past two seasons. He starts in the midfield alongside captain Bryce Campbell, with Mark O’Keeffe shifting out to the wing. JP Eloff takes the place of Domínguez as Caleb Strum settles for a spot on the bench.
The Arrows are coming off their worst ever outing as a franchise, a one-sided drubbing at the hands of New York. A significant factor was the inability to field a recognized flyhalf, with Mitch Richardson forced to fill in after injuries to Sam Malcolm, Noel Reid, and Shane O’Leary.
During the week since Malcolm and Reid have recovered and will line up at numbers 10 and 12 respectively, with the latter making his first regular season appearance. Richardson sides out to the wing. On the other side Avery Oitomen runs out for the first time since the 2019 campaign, with Will Grant set to debut as a replacement scrumhalf.
It’s all change in the front row with Lolani Faleiva, Ramón Ayarza, and Tyler Rowland the nominated trio. Adrian Wadden takes the place of injured Micaiah Torrance-Read at lock, and new cap Owain Ruttan joins James O’Neill as one of two flankers on a bench that shows a 6/2 split.
The two sides might want to bring their skates given the frosty conditions on the forecast. Both feature key signings in Meakes and Reid, while Malcolm’s return is a big boost to the Arrows tactically and psychologically. Chicago have shown better form but the Arrows are rested and feature a stronger group of replacements that should make a difference in the final quarter.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific. Canadian viewers can watch on TSN’s digital services, with Fox Sports 2 broadcasting across the USA. Those located elsewhere can access a live stream on The Rugby Network.
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 George Thornton, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Mike Matarazzo, 5 Duke Krishnan, 6 Luke Beauchamp, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Michael Baska, 10 Luke Carty, 11 JP Eloff, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Mark O’Keeffe, 15 Chris Mattina
Replacements: 16 Mason Koch, 17 LaRome White, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Sam Peri, 20 Dacoda Worth, 21 Sean Yacoubian, 22 Caleb Strum, 23 Kevin Morgan
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Lolani Faleiva, 2 Ramón Ayarza, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Mason Flesch, 5 Adrian Wadden, 6 Travis Larsen, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Mitch Eadie, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Sam Malcolm, 11 Mitch Richardson, 12 Noel Reid, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Avery Oitomen, 15 Ciaran Breen
Replacements: 16 Gene Syminton, 17 Nik Hildebrand, 18 Conan O’Donnell, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Owain Ruttan, 21 Kobe Faust, 22 Will Grant, 23 James O’Neill
Date: Saturday, March 11
Venue: SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Marquise Goodwin (USA)
Assistants: Andrew Futerman (USA) & Shawn Bastic (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network, TSN Digital
HISTORICAL RESULTS
n/a
