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Two original Major League Rugby franchises renew acquaintances at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday afternoon. San Diego have won four in a row and are working their way back to the top end of a competitive Western Conference. NOLA were defeated at home by Chicago last week and now face an opponent they have never beaten in seven attempts.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
4-1-0 (W4) West 3rd
3-2-0 (L1) East 2nd
| LINEUP CHANGES |
4 Jay Tuivaiti replaces Isaac Ross
5 Greg Peterson replaces Charlie Hewitt
7 Blair Cowan replaces Finn Kearns
9 Connor Tupai replaces Nick Boyer
12 Ma’a Nonu replaces Tiaan Loots
14 Tomas Aoake replaces Mikey Te’o
17 Nathan Sylvia replaces Payton Telea-Ilalio
19 Charlie Hewitt replaces Chris Turori
21 Danny Christensen replaces Connor Tupai
22 Tiaan Loots replaces Jay Tuivaiti
23 Chris Mattina replaces Alex Horan
3 James Irey replaces Sean Paranihi (suspension)
8 Osaiasi Tonga’uiha replaces Jonah Mau’u (injury)
10 Dorian Jones replaces Ross Depperschmidt (No13 vs Chicago)
16 Pat O’Toole replaces Osaiasi Tonga’uiha
17 Sam Klimkowski replaces Bart Vermeulen
18 Trent Rogers replaces James Irey
19 Maciu Koroi replaces Fintan Coleman
21 Damian Stevens replaces Sebastiano Villani
23 Ross Depperschmidt replaces Jack Webster
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(10) – Pifeleti, Peterson, Helu, Tameilau, James, Brache, Sylvia, Mattina (USA), Cowan (Scotland), Nonu (New Zealand)
(8) – Harmon, M Tonga’uiha (USA), Böhme (Chile), Botchar (Canada), Iona, Fidow (Samoa), Fife (Scotland), Stevens (Namibia)
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(1) – Jay Tuivaiti*
(1) – Trent Rogers*
* – MLR debut
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Luke Green (TH), Isaac Ross (LO), Christian Poidevin (FL), Tupou Afungia (FL/N8), Matt Giteau (FH), Mikey Te’o (WI/FB)
– Jarred Adams (LH), Sean Paranihi (TH), Isaac Olson (TH), Cam Dolan (LO/N8), Jonah Mau’u (FL/N8), OJ Noa (N8), Jordan Jackson-Hope (CE)
| NOTES |
- Jay Tuivaiti is set to make his first MLR appearance as a starter… he was named as a replacement against Miami but did not get on the field… the 27-year-old from Auckland has previously trained with the Samoa 7s squad and played with Austin Blacks last year
- Ma’a Nonu returns to the San Diego midfield after a two-game rest, bumping Tiaan Loots to the bench… the Legion’s other centurion, Matt Giteau, isn’t expected to debut until May
- Danny Christensen is set for his Legion debut as a replacement… the former Utah scrumhalf spent last season on the books for Dallas
- NOLA are missing three starting forwards due to suspension… Sean Paranihi joined Jarred Adams and OJ Noa after receiving a red card against Chicago… Adams and Noa are set to return next week for the home game against Miami
- Jonah Mau’u is banged up so it’s a first start of the year for Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, who joins older brother Moni in the back row… with Paranihi also out it opens two import slots for Dorian Jones and Damian Stevens to come into the match day squad
- Trent Rogers is set to make his pro debut as a replacement… the USA u23 prop was the 7th overall selection in the 2022 draft… he was on the books for the Gold last season but was instead assigned to the USA Hawks for their matches in South America and Charlotte
| PREDICTION |
The Legion are unbeaten since their opening round defeat to Seattle, and are well rested from their bye week. Cowan and Nonu return to add experience to a lineup that is far closer to full strength than their guests. NOLA fell away in the second half against Chicago and with so many key players absent, particularly up front, will be hard-pressed to keep the pace. San Diego are clear favorites.
| LINEUPS |
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Darcy Breen, 4 Jay Tuivaiti, 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Connor Tupai, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 11 Ryan James, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Ethan Grayson, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Marcel Brache
Replacements: 16 Chris Mickelson, 17 Nathan Sylvia, 18 Oliver Kane, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Cyrille Cama, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Tiaan Loots, 23 Chris Mattina
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Augusto Böhme, 3 James Irey, 4 Callum Botchar, 5 William Waguespack, 6 Malcolm May, 7 Moni Tonga’uiha (capt.), 8 Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, 9 Luke Campbell, 10 Dorian Jones, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Rodney Iona, 13 JP du Plessis, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Pat O’Toole, 17 Sam Klimkowski, 18 Trent Rogers, 19 Maciu Koroi, 20 Ale Lopeti, 21 Damian Stevens, 22 Reece Botha, 23 Ross Depperschmidt
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Sunday, April 14
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 13:00 local (15:00 Central, 16:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 63°F (17°C), wind W 8-12mph (13-19km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox 5 San Diego, YurView Louisiana, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Cisco Lopez (USA)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Fernando García (Mexico)
TMO: Greg Gilliam (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (7) – San Diego 7, NOLA 0
2023-05-13 – NOLA Gold 12, San Diego Legion 26 (The Gold Mine)
2022-05-21 – NOLA Gold 12, San Diego Legion 42 (The Gold Mine)
2021-05-15 – San Diego Legion 43, NOLA Gold 17 (Elite Athlete Training Center)
2020-02-29 – NOLA Gold 21, San Diego Legion 25 (The Gold Mine)
2019-06-02 – San Diego Legion 22, NOLA Gold 10 (Torero Stadium)
2019-05-11 – NOLA Gold 19, San Diego Legion 26 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
2018-06-09 – NOLA Gold 22, San Diego Legion 39 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
