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It’s a feeling of unfinished business for both teams as the Seattle Seawolves host the Chicago Hounds at Starfire Stadium on Saturday night. Lightning put a premature stop to their only previous meeting, and while the game was likely out of reach for the Hounds they got no opportunity to redeem the underwhelming opening 40 minutes.
Chicago came painfully close to upsetting New York on Sunday with Luke Carty’s potential match-winning kick rejected by the uprights. Sam Harris has retained the majority of the starting lineup with a few bumps and bruises affecting selection.
Mark O’Keeffe is the most notable absentee, the star attacker pulling up with what looked like a strained groin or hip flexor early in the second half against the Ironworkers. Bryce Campbell returns to the starting midfield in his place. Taking up the vacancy on the bench is versatile back Nick Taylor, who is set for his club bow two years after his only previous MLR appearance which was coincidentally for the Seawolves.
Among the forwards there is no Paddy Ryan or John Cullen this week. Charlie Abel runs out at tighthead prop with Mike Matarazzo getting the nod at lock. Former Lindenwood eightman Tinashe Muchena, originally drafted by Houston, should make his pro debut as a replacement having spent recent weeks playing with the USA Hawks in Charlotte.
The Seawolves have won three in a row thanks to a scorching second half against the SaberCats last Saturday, which made up for their poor start. With their postseason spot still not quite assured, Allen Clarke is taking few chances with another strong lineup.
James Malcolm rotates in at hooker with Mason Pedersen getting the start at tighthead. Sam Matenga has shaken off a minor knock that forced him off before halftime to take up a spot on the bench, with Samu Manoa similarly fit to continue at lock. Taylor Krumrei will pack down beside Manoa as Rhyno Herbst swaps to the bench.
The only personnel change in the backline sees Tavite Lopeti making his first start since Round 6. Dan Kriel slides in one spot to inside center and AJ Alatimu is the flyhalf this week, with Jordan Chait sitting out entirely. David Busby offers utility coverage among the reserves.
Dry skies and warm weather are on the forecast, which should make for a full house in Tukwila. The Seawolves were clearly the better side in March but Chicago have shown steady improvement in recent weeks. O’Keeffe will be missed by the Hounds and having two newcomers on the bench adds uncertainty to their ability to cause an upset. Take the home side to secure a bonus point win in what should be an entertaining evening full of running rugby.
Kickoff is set for 7:30pm local time, 9:30pm Central, 10:30pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Marquee Sports in Chicago and Root Sports in Seattle, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Taylor Krumrei, 6 Ben Landry (co-capt.), 7 Charles Elton (co-capt.), 8 Ronan Foley, 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Dan Kriel, 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Adriaan Carelse
Replacements: 16 Peter Malcolm, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Rhyno Herbst, 20 Andrew Durutalo, 21 Nakai Penny, 22 Karl Keane, 23 David Busby
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 LaRome White, 2 Mason Koch, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Mike Matarazzo, 5 Cam Dodson, 6 Michael de Waal, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Luke White, 9 Sidney Shoop, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Matai Leuta, 15 Chris Mattina
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Stevens, 17 George Thornton, 18 Mika Felix, 19 Justice Nkombua, 20 Tinashe Muchena, 21 Michael Baska, 22 Nick Taylor, 23 JP Eloff
Date: Saturday, May 20
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
Kickoff: 19:30 local (21:30 Central, 22:30 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Marquee Sports, Root Sports, The Rugby Network
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak (Canada)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Saro Turner (Canada)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-03-26 – Chicago Hounds 5, Seattle Seawolves 27 (SeatGeek Stadium)
