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It’s a classic Western Conference rivalry on Sunday night when the Seawolves welcome the Warriors to Starfire Stadium for the 7th time since their first meeting in 2018. Both teams have been hit hard by injury but Seattle managed to pull off a win last week while Utah have dropped four in a row.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
9-3-0 (W1) West 2nd
4-8-0 (L4) West 5th
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
2 Joe Taufete’e replaces DaQuan Perry
3 Sam Matenga replaces Olive Kilifi (injury)
5 Jean Droste replaces Mahonri Ngakuru
6 Devin Short replaces Pago Haini
11 Toni Pulu replaces Lauina Futi
13 Tavite Lopeti replaces Tevita Kuridrani (injury)
14 Jade Stighling replaces Conner Mooneyham
2 Tuvere Vugakoto replaces Phil Bradford
5 Louis Conradie replaces Saia Uhila (injury)
6 Bailey Wilson replaces Matt Jensen (injury)
10 Robbie Povey replaces Alesana Pohla (injury)
11 Jesse Hamilton replaces Isaia Kruse (injury)
14 Noah Bain replaces Caleb Makene (injury)
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(7) – Taufete’e, Lopeti, Wenglewski, Rees, Futi (USA), Akuei (Kenya), Rossouw (Namibia)
(6) – Vugakoto (Fiji), Mullen, Wilson, Tu’avao, MacLellan (USA), Povey (Canada)
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(1) – Devin Short
(2) – Noah Bain*, Sam Reimer
* – MLR debut
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Peter Malcolm (HO), Charles Elton (FL), Kara Pryor (FL), Riekert Hattingh (N8), Tevita Kuridrani (CE)
– Matt Jensen (LO), Dylan Nel (FL/N8), Paul Lasike (CE), Spencer Jones (CE), Mika Kruse (CE/WI), Joe Mano (WI), Caleb Makene (FB)
| NOTES |
- Saba Abulashvili makes his MLR refereeing debut, in doing so becoming the league’s first Georgian (the country) match official… he has previous experience in the World Rugby u20 Trophy, Rugby Europe Super Cup, and u20 Six Nations
- it’s a very welcome return to Seattle’s front row for Joe Taufete’e and Sam Matenga… Olive Kilifi was the latest prop to go down against DC… hooker Jackson Zabierek and tighthead prop Koby Baker have been drafted into the Seawolves squad from the American Raptors and are on standby but are not listed in the match day 23
- Devin Short is set to make his long-awaited Seawolves bow… the USA Falcons flanker was acquired from NOLA during the off-season but has been on personal leave for the last few months
- it’s not yet clear if Tevita Kuridrani will play again this season after suffering a lower leg injury against DC… Eagles regular Tavite Lopeti returns in the midfield… the vacant import slot is filled by Jade Stighling on the right wing
- Utah’s backline has been decimated by injuries… regular flyhalf Joel Hodgson is forced to play in the midfield alongside ex-Seawolves man Lopeti Aisea… Jesse Hamilton and Noah Bain come in on the wing with the latter set to make his MLR debut
- the only backs in reserve for the Warriors are Kieran McClea and Sam Reimer, and both are scrumhalves… Reimer is formerly of the Toronto Arrows and could make his first Utah appearance
- Matt Jensen is a late scratch for Utah, joining second row partner Saia Uhila on the sidelines… Jonah Dietenberger has been called up to the bench as cover
- Fijian international Tuvere Vugakoto makes his first appearance of the season after recovering from an injury that dated back to last season… there are two hookers on the bench with Tyler Wong likely to fill as a back row if needed
| PREDICTION |
Conditions will be unusually calm at Starfire Stadium which might typically benefit Utah, but their backline is so ragged the edge instead goes to the home side. Despite their own injuries the Seawolves have put together a strong lineup and it’s hard to see where Utah have the advantage. With no form and a makeshift bench, it could be a long night for the visitors. Seattle are clear favorites at home.
| LINEUPS |
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Cameron Orr, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 3 Sam Matenga, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 5 Jean Droste, 6 Devin Short, 7 Monate Akuei, 8 Huw Taylor, 9 JP Smith, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Toni Pulu, 12 Dan Kriel, 13 Tavite Lopeti, 14 Jade Stighling, 15 Divan Rossouw
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Chance Wenglewski, 19 Taylor Krumrei, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Lauina Futi
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Fatongia Paea, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Frank Lochore, 5 Louis Conradie, 6 Bailey Wilson, 7 John DuPree, 8 Thomas Tu’avao, 9 Zion Going, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Jesse Hamilton, 12 Joel Hodgson (capt), 13 Lopeti Aisea, 14 Noah Bain, 15 Michael Manson
Replacements: 16 Nic Souchon, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Jonah Dietenberger, 20 Kalisi Moli, 21 Kieran McClea, 22 Tyler Wong, 23 Sam Reimer
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Sunday, June 9
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
Kickoff: 19:00 local (22:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 72°F (22°C), wind SW 12-19mph (19-30km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox 13+ Seattle, KMYU, KSL Sports, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Saba Abulashvili (Georgia)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Will Nelson (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (11) – Seattle 7, Utah 3, Draw 1, STREAK Seattle +2
2024-03-16 – Utah Warriors 13, Seattle Seawolves 23 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2023-06-04 – Seattle Seawolves 27, Utah Warriors 20 (Starfire Stadium)
2023-04-15 – Utah Warriors 41, Seattle Seawolves 35 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2022-04-23 – Utah Warriors 14, Seattle Seawolves 20 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2022-02-10 – Seattle Seawolves 20, Utah Warriors 17 (Starfire Stadium)
2021-06-06 – Seattle Seawolves 28, Utah Warriors 29 (Starfire Stadium)
2021-04-10 – Utah Warriors 15, Seattle Seawolves 20 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2020-03-07 – Seattle Seawolves 31, Utah Warriors 33 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-05-26 – Seattle Seawolves 27, Utah Warriors 27 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-04-05 – Utah Warriors 36, Seattle Seawolves 48 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2018-05-21 – Seattle Seawolves 41, Utah Warriors 32 (Starfire Stadium)
