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The defending champions celebrate their return to Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on Sunday as the Giltinis host the Free Jacks. It’s appropriately New England who are the honored guests on this occasion, having played opposite to LA in their first ever Major League Rugby game last March.
On that day the Giltinis proved superior though the outmatched Free Jacks gave an admirable account of themselves, particularly given the controversial red card dished out to scrumhalf John Poland early in the second half. The visitors look a more challenging opponent this time around.
In fact the Free Jacks arrive with the better record of the two having won both of their matches to start the campaign. Beaudein Waaka has been the center of attention with 30 points accumulated including three tries. He continues at flyhalf in a lineup that shows only one change.
Stan van den Hoven is handed his first MLR start at lock, with Reegan O’Gorman swapping to the bench. Slade McDowall avoided suspension after being sent off against Old Glory last weekend, and last year’s red card recipient Poland takes up a spot in the reserves. Harrison Boyle is set to make his first appearance of the season as a replacement.
It wasn’t until the second half of the Week 2 game against the Arrows that the Giltinis began to show some of their championship form. They enter with a 1-1 record having tasted defeat in Houston in Week 1. An improved performance from the start will be expected as they come off a bye week.
Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin steps into the No3 shirt with Marco Fepulea’i ruled out due to back spasms. Fit-again Charlie Abel provides backup from the bench. The match day squad is otherwise unchanged with Matt Giteau and DTH van der Merwe still sidelined with calf and knee injuries respectively.
Where last year’s result was entirely predictable there is an air of doubt this time around. LA have something to prove after inconsistent showings in their first two matches. The Free Jacks meanwhile have exceeded expectations though this is their biggest road trip to date. Give the favorites tag to the home side, but the visitors cannot be counted out.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 6pm Eastern. Local broadcasts can be found on Bally Sports West and SoCal, with a delayed airing on NBC Sports Boston. The Rugby Network will stream elsewhere in North America and abroad.
LA GILTINIS
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Andrew Tuala, 3 Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Corey Thomas, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Luke Burton, 11 John Ryberg, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Will Chambers, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Luke White, 18 Charlie Abel, 19 Adam Ashe, 20 Christian Poidevin, 21 Tas Smith, 22 Ryan James, 23 Cristian Rodriguez
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Foster DeWitt, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven, 6 Joe Johnston, 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Terrell Peita, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Jack Reeves, 14 Paula Balekana, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Kyle Ciquera, 18 Tevita Sole, 19 Reegan O’Gorman, 20 Cam Davidowicz, 21 John Poland, 22 Harrison Boyle, 23 Wayne van der Bank
Date: Sunday, February 27
Venue: Memorial Coliseum, Los Angeles
Kickoff: 15:00 local (18:00 Eastern)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Jack Gohl (Australia) & Tim Lew (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports West & SoCal, NBC Sports Boston (delayed), The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-03-20 – LA Giltinis 42, New England Free Jacks 27 (Memorial Coliseum)
