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The LA Giltinis arrive at a crossroads on Saturday. A win at Starfire Stadium will put them right back in the playoff mix in the Western Conference, but the Seattle Seawolves have designs on their own revival and know that their guests are vulnerable despite securing a hard-fought win over San Diego last weekend.
That success came at a cost for the Giltinis. Star flanker Angus Cottrell went down with a knee injury in the final minute while Corey Thomas suffered a head knock half an hour into the match. They join a long list of absentees though there is some good news in the return of winger John Ryberg.
With Adam Ashe also out with a neck problem it’s down to Hanco Germishuys to play No8 this week. Nathan Den Hoedt moves to the blindside flank, and Luke White switches from the front to the second row. Djustice Sears-Duru and Marco Fepulea’i are the new props, with Andrew Tuala changing his focus from hooker to loosehead prop on the bench.
Ryberg’s return is the only change in the backline where Orene Ai’i continues to pull the strings at flyhalf. International quartet Matt Giteau, Luke Carty, Ben LeSage, and DTH van der Merwe remain sidelined so halfback Cristian Rodriguez is once again asked to cover the outside backs.
The Seawolves got back to their winning ways in Dallas last weekend, shaking off a three-game losing slide. Where LA have lost bodies Seattle have gained – there are two new names at their disposal this week in tighthead prop Sam Matenga and former San Diego flyhalf Tai Enosa.
Matenga settles for a spot among the reserves having only just arrived from New Zealand, with Tim Metcher retained at No3. Rhyno Herbst and Brad Tucker are sidelined this week, with Setefano Funaki switching from flanker to lock to make room for the return of Ben Landry in the No6 shirt.
In the backline there are changes at flyhalf and fullback. AJ Alatimu and Duncan Matthews replace Kieran Joyce and Mat Turner respectively. Joyce drops to the bench alongside Enosa, along with Matenga a late addition to the lineup that sees Ross Neal dropping out to satisfy Seattle’s overseas player limit.
Drizzly conditions are on the forecast which combined with Starfire’s narrower pitch suggests the battle will be won up front. Expect some monumental collisions between the likes of Landry and White, and the winner could well be whoever is left standing. There’s little to choose between the two sides on form. Give LA the advantage on historical results, but this is effectively a toss-up.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 6pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Root Sports Plus in Seattle and Bally Sports SoCal, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Setefano Funaki, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Martin Iosefo, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Duncan Matthews
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Victor Comptat, 20 Tommy Clark, 21 Reid Watkins, 22 Kieran Joyce, 23 Tai Enosa
LA GILTINIS
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 4 Luke White, 5 Dave Dennis (capt.), 6 Nathan Den Hoedt, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Hanco Germishuys, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Orene Ai’i, 11 Will Chambers, 12 Luke Burton, 13 Billy Meakes, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Lindsey Stevens, 17 Andrew Tuala, 18 Charlie Abel, 19 Zach Bonte, 20 Cyrille Cama, 21 Tas Smith, 22 Cristian Rodriguez, 23 Ryan James
Date: Saturday, March 26
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
Kickoff: 15:00 local (18:00 Eastern)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Brad Schwalger (Canada) & Denny Russell (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports SoCal, Root Sports Plus, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-06-27 – Seattle Seawolves 14, LA Giltinis 29 (Starfire Stadium)
2021-03-28 – LA Giltinis 57, Seattle Seawolves 26 (Memorial Coliseum)
