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It’s an all-California clash for the first time since 2022 when San Diego welcome Major League Rugby’s second Los Angeles team to Snapdragon Stadium on Saturday night. After a tough loss in Seattle the Legion got past an improved Jackals side in Arlington last week. The team formerly known as ATL are still searching for their first win under their new LA banner.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
1-1-0 (W1) West 4th
0-2-0 (L2) West 6th
| LINEUP CHANGES |
11 Ryan James replaces Matai Leuta
13 Ethan Grayson replaces Marcel Brache
15 Marcel Brache replaces Mikey Te’o
21 Finn Kearns replaces Ethan Grayson
13 Louritz van der Schyff replaces Tautalatasi Tasi
23 Chris Mattina replaces Josh Henderson
1 Alex Maughan replaces Dane Zander
2 Bruce Kauika-Petersen replaces Ben Strang
5 Reegan O’Gorman replaces Max Katjijeko
6 Semi Kunatani replaces Michael Amiras
15 Sam Walsh replaces Rory van Vugt
16 Ben Strang replaces Bruce Kauika-Petersen
18 Dane Zander replaces Alex Maughan
19 Max Katjijeko replaces Reegan O’Gorman
20 Michael Amiras replaces Semi Kunatani
22 Seth Purdey replaces Sam Walsh
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(2) – Ryan James, Chris Mattina
(0) – n/a
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(11) – Ross, Nonu (New Zealand), Peterson, Helu, James, Brache, Sylvia, Tameilau, Boyer, Mattina (USA), Cowan (Scotland)
(8) – Maughan, Damm (USA), Young, O’Gorman, Heaton, Coe (Canada), Kunatani (Fiji), Katjijeko (Namibia)
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Faka’osi Pifeleti (LH), Christian Poidevin (FL), Matt Giteau (FH), Mikey Te’o (FB)
– Theo Vukasinovic (LO), Will Leonard (CE), Rory van Vugt (FB)
| NOTES |
- Ryan James and Chris Mattina make their first appearances for the Legion… notably both were with the organization before but neither featured in a regular season game with the club
- San Diego set a new MLR attendance record in last year’s home opener against Utah with 11,423 taking in the first rugby game at Snapdragon Stadium… where the 2024 Championship Final will be played
- Alex Maughan starts at loosehead prop for LA… having played tighthead in the three previous games… Lincoln Si’i has been covering loosehead but can also play tighthead
- former Fiji international and 2016 Olympic Gold medalist Semi Kunatani gets his first MLR start after impressing off the bench in the last two games
- Sam Walsh is given his first pro start at fullback for LA… a flyhalf for the Cal Golden Bears, he has played for the USA Falcons in XVs and the senior Eagles on the World Sevens circuit
- Seth Purdey will make his first appearance in an LA shirt though it won’t be his franchise debut… the former Canada u20 center was a regular with ATL
| PREDICTION |
While it’s been something of a rocky start for the Legion, they upped their game against Dallas and have largely kept their side intact with only minor tinkering in the backline. LA have looked good in spurts and have the ability to make something out of nothing, but have yet to put together a full 80 minute performance. San Diego are clear favorites.
| LINEUPS |
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Luke Green, 4 Isaac Ross, 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tupou Afungia, 9 Connor Tupai, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 11 Ryan James, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Ethan Grayson, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Cyrille Cama, 17 Nathan Sylvia, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Tevita Tameilau, 21 Finn Kearns, 22 Nick Boyer, 23 Chris Mattina
RFC LOS ANGELES
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Bruce Kauika-Petersen, 3 Conor Young, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 5 Reegan O’Gorman, 6 Semi Kunatani, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Jason Damm, 9 Niall Saunders (capt.), 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Jack Shaw, 12 Jason Emery, 13 James Stokes, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Sam Walsh
Replacements: 16 Ben Strang, 17 Lincoln Si’i, 18 Dane Zander, 19 Max Katjijeko, 20 Michael Amiras, 21 Tas Smith, 22 Seth Purdey, 23 Austin White
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, March 16
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 19:00 local (22:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: clear, 61°F (17°C), wind W 7-10mph (11-17km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak (Canada)
Assistants: Derek Summers (USA) & Alexis Alfaro (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (3) – ATL 2, San Diego 1, STREAK San Diego +1
2023-03-18 – Rugby ATL 10, San Diego Legion 35 (Silverbacks Park)
2022-04-24 – San Diego Legion 17, Rugby ATL 30 (SDSU Sports Deck)
2021-04-03 – Rugby ATL 41, San Diego Legion 22 (Lupo Family Field)
