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The Seawolves return to Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday but this time everything is on the line. Awaiting Seattle’s arrival is their most familiar foe – the San Diego Legion – who are dead set to claiming the Western Conference title after a record-setting regular season.
It was just two weeks ago that the two sides clashed at the same venue, though the Seattle lineup that took part on that day bares no resemblance to the one that will take the field this time. A more accurate barometer of how the two sides match up is their April engagement, when the Legion battled to a three-point victory over the then-unbeaten Seawolves.
San Diego have remarkably won every game since, with their streak now at 13 straight. Danny Lee opted for a mix-and-match lineup in their last outing but it’s a reasonably predictable squad that takes the field on this occasion. They will, however, be without regular captain Blair Cowan who was suspended after being send off early in the second half two weeks ago.
Tupou Afungia comes in on the flank in Cowan’s place, with Michael Smith left on the bench. Tom Franklin gets the nod ahead of Isaac Ross at lock, and Sama Malolo retains his starting spot at hooker despite Shilo Klein’s strong late-season run of form. It’s a 6/2 split on the bench with Chris Turori the swing man who can cover lock or flanker.
The main question in the backline was flyhalf, where Lee had a trio of top quality candidates to pick from. Will Hooley has held off the challenges of Josh Henderson and Luke Burton, with Henderson getting the reserve role. Thomas Morani is the only other back substitute.
Seattle got the better of Houston at Starfire Stadium, and did so in convincing fashion. Allen Clarke has nonetheless revised his lineup with three personnel changes and four positional switches suggesting some tactical changes may be on the cards.
A heavyweight pack will take the pitch with Samu Manoa taking Ronan Foley spot in the lineup. Manoa partners Rhyno Herbst at lock, with Ben Landry moving to the blindside flank. Charles Elton is at openside with Foley joining Nakai Penny on the bench.
The backline has been shuffled with Duncan Matthews missing out entirely. Jordan Chait has been recalled at flyhalf with AJ Alatimu pushing out into the midfield. Dan Kriel is at outside center Martin Iosefo on the left wing and Tavite Lopeti settling for a replacement role.
Weather conditions look to be perfect for running rugby but Clarke’s selections suggest a more territorial approach is on the cards for Seattle. With both Chait and Alatimu kicking options, the Legion can expect the lineout to be a significant factor. It’s an area where San Diego have struggled as of late.
Lee’s men on the other hand have preferred a high-tempo attacking game and there’s no reason to consider any deviation from that plan. Hooley does offer a superior kicking game to his alternatives, but he is also a skilled distributor who can play on the gainline. This is a much closer call than the Eastern Conference Final but the favorites tag goes to the Legion.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 6pm Eastern. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers located in Canada and abroad.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Sama Malolo, 3 Luke Green, 4 Ben Grant, 5 Tom Franklin, 6 Christian Poidevin, 7 Tupou Afungia, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Richard Judd, 10 Will Hooley, 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Marcel Brache (capt.), 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Mikey Te’o
Replacements: 16 Shilo Klein, 17 Nathan Sylvia, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Chris Turori, 20 Isaac Ross, 21 Michael Smith, 22 Josh Henderson, 23 Thomas Morani
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Charles Elton, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 Jordan Chait, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 AJ Alatimu, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Adriaan Carelse
Replacements: 16 James Malcolm, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Ronan Foley, 20 Nakai Penny, 21 Devereaux Ferris, 22 Tavite Lopeti, 23 Jeremiah Sio
Date: Sunday, July 2
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 15:00 local (18:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Referee: Cam Stone (New Zealand)
Assistants: Luke Rogan (USA) & Kahlil Harrison (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-06-18 – San Diego Legion 40, Seattle Seawolves 19 (Snapdragon Stadium)
2023-04-08 – Seattle Seawolves 20, San Diego Legion 23 (Starfire Stadium)
2022-06-12 – Seattle Seawolves 43, San Diego Legion 19 (Starfire Stadium)
2022-04-16 – Seattle Seawolves 34, San Diego Legion 32 (Starfire Stadium)
2022-02-20 – San Diego Legion 28, Seattle Seawolves 31 (SDSU Sports Deck)
2021-07-03 – San Diego Legion 34, Seattle Seawolves 21 (Elite Athlete Training Center)
2021-05-09 – Seattle Seawolves 21, San Diego Legion 15 (Starfire Stadium)
2020-02-09 – San Diego Legion 33, Seattle Seawolves 24 (Torero Stadium)
2019-06-16 – San Diego Legion 23, Seattle Seawolves 26 (Torero Stadium)
2019-03-31 – Seattle Seawolves 22, San Diego Legion 28 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-02-02 – San Diego Legion 17, Seattle Seawolves 13 (Torero Stadium)
2018-06-30 – Seattle Seawolves 38, San Diego Legion 24 (Infinity Park)
