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Seattle are looking to stop a two-game losing skid when they host Old Glory on Friday night. The Seawolves will have to do so without a handful of their key forwards including captain Riekert Hattingh. DC meanwhile have won two in a row but have chosen to rest several starters.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
8-3-0 (L2) West 2nd
4-4-2 (W2) East 4th
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
2 DaQuan Perry replaces Dewald Donald
5 Mahonri Ngakuru replaces Jean Droste
7 Monate Akuei replaces Reid Davis
8 Pago Haini replaces Riekert Hattingh (injury)
13 Tevita Kuridrani replaces Tavite Lopeti
14 Lauina Futi replaces Toni Pulu
1 Quentin Newcomer replaces Jack Iscaro
2 Martín Vaca replaces Facundo Gattas
5 Bill Whiteside replaces Rob Harley
6 Collin Grosse replaces Lautaro Bavaro
7 Brady Daniel replaces Cory Daniel
9 Connor Buckley replaces Ethan McVeigh
10 Jason Robertson replaces Gradyn Bowd
12 William Talataina replaces Tommaso Boni
14 John Rizzo replaces Damien Hoyland
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(7) – Kilifi, Futi, Wenglewski, Rees (USA), Akuei (Kenya), Kuridrani (Australia), Rossouw (Namibia)
(3) – Fa’anana-Schultz (USA), Gattas (Uruguay), Bowd (Canada)
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(1) – Monate Akuei
(1) – Charlie Overton*
* – MLR debut
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Joe Taufete’e (HO), Peter Malcolm (HO), Sam Matenga (TH), Charles Elton (FL), Kara Pryor (FL), Riekert Hattingh (N8)
– Jack Iscaro (LH), Ignacio Dotti (LO), Rob Harley (LO), Cory Daniel (FL), Lautaro Bavaro (FL/N8), Niko Jones (FL/N8), Tommaso Boni (CE), Damien Hoyland (FB)
| NOTES |
- the Seawolves have been hit with confirmation that back row trio Charles Elton, Kara Pryor, and captain Riekert Hattingh have all suffered season-ending injuries… hooker Peter Malcolm will also play no further part in the 2024 campaign… there is better news for front rowers Joe Taufete’e and Sam Matenga who will return in the coming weeks
- new signing Monate Akuei, a standout with New York last season, makes his Seawolves debut at openside flanker… the 26-year-old has represented Kenya in both 7s and XVs… ex-NOLA flanker Devin Short, signed in the off-season, arrived in Seattle this past week
- Tevita Kuridrani returns to Seattle’s midfield after being rested against Dallas… Tavite Lopeti misses out entirely on the match day 23 with the Seawolves opting for a 6/2 split on the bench
- Simon Cross has made wholesale changes to his Old Glory side… some players are nursing minor injuries with others left home to enjoy an extended break before the playoff run-in
- Bill Whiteside and Brady Daniel make their second MLR starters at lock and openside flanker respectively… second row Charlie Overton has completed his Life University commitments and is set to make his pro debut as a replacement
- reserve center Palema Roberts could make his first appearance since the season opener against NOLA… backup loosehead prop Joe Wrafter hasn’t played since Week 3 against Chicago
| PREDICTION |
The Seawolves are hurting with the loss of captain Hattingh and are on a very short turnaround after Sunday’s loss to Dallas. Old Glory will be well rested after their bye week but are well below full strength and are making the pacific northwest trip for the first time. The relative inexperience on the bench further makes his a tough ask for the visitors. Seattle are favorites at home.
| LINEUPS |
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Cameron Orr, 2 DaQuan Perry, 3 Olive Kilifi, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 5 Mahonri Ngakuru, 6 Huw Taylor, 7 Monate Akuei, 8 Pago Haini, 9 JP Smith, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Conner Mooneyham, 12 Dan Kriel, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Divan Rossouw
Replacements: 16 Dewald Donald, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Chance Wenglewski, 19 Taylor Krumrei, 20 Isaia Lotawa, 21 Reid Davis, 22 Ryan Rees, 23 Sam Windsor
OLD GLORY DC
1 Quentin Newcomer, 2 Martín Vaca, 3 Steven Longwell, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Bill Whiteside, 6 Collin Grosse, 7 Brady Daniel, 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Jason Robertson, 11 Axel Müller, 12 William Talataina, 13 John Powers, 14 John Rizzo, 15 Perry Humphreys
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Joe Wrafter, 18 Cali Martinez, 19 Charlie Overton, 20 Dacoda Worth, 21 Ethan McVeigh, 22 Gradyn Bowd, 23 Palema Roberts
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Friday, May 24
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
Kickoff: 19:30 local (22:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 55°F (13°C), wind S 6-11mph (10-18km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox 13+ Seattle, Monumental Sports, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Brian Dusablon (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (3) – DC 2, Seattle 1, STREAK Seattle +1
2023-05-27 – Old Glory DC 19, Seattle Seawolves 41 (Segra Field)
2021-05-16 – Old Glory DC 22, Seattle Seawolves 18 (Segra Field)
2020-02-16 – Old Glory DC 28, Seattle Seawolves 22 (Cardinal Stadium)
