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The weekend begins with a clash between two sides on the lower end of their respective conference tables. Old Glory DC will host the Utah Warriors for the first time, with their only previous encounter a thrilling contest at Zions Bank Stadium last May that came right down to the wire.
Interestingly both organizations have opted for a change of direction mid-season. Nate Osborne has taken over for DC following the exit of Andrew Douglas two weeks ago, while Utah GM Brandon Sparks steps into the lead role for Utah for the first time after Shawn Pittman’s dismissal.
Osborne came frustratingly close to victory in his first match in charge against Toronto last weekend. The bad news is that rising star Mike Dabulas suffered a season-ending knee injury in the match. The good news is that powerhouse back row pair Felix Kalapu and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz are both available again after serving multi-week suspensions.
Fa’anana-Schultz will have to be patient, however, as he is named as a replacement with Luke Campbell rewarded for his strong form with another start at No8. Kalapu jumps straight back in on the flank in place of Dom Bailey, who hurt his shoulder in Toronto. The bench shows a 6-2 split with Fintan Coleman and Dacoda Worth keeping their places.
With Dabulas out Renata Roberts-Te Nana moves back to fullback with Peni Lasaqa coming in on the wing. Doug Fraser will have to wait another week before making his return to the lineup with Danny Thomas and Owen Sheehy the only backs in reserve.
The Warriors aren’t quite as far back as DC in terms of the playoff picture, but it would take a monumental turnaround in form to catch up to the pack in the Western Conference at this point. A third consecutive loss at home spelled the end for Pittman, last season’s MLR Coach of the Year, and Sparks will now have to conjure a win on the road without a handful of his best players.
Paul Lasike is joined on the sidelines this week by scrumhalf Niall Saunders and fullback Cliven Loubser. Danny Christensen gets the start at No9 with Mikey Te’o spelling Loubser at No15. Mika Kruse has recovered during the bye week to resume duties on the wing.
Front row rotation sees Franco van den Berg and Paul Mullen coming back in at prop. Jurie van Vuuren moves up to the second row with Puna Vuli joining James Mocke on the bench. Lance Williams shifts to the back of the scrum and Mike Gieselman gets his first start of the season on the blindside flank.
There are two potential debutants on the bench, which also shows a 6-2 split. Local product Taris Schramm is the back row replacement, while US-eligible scrumhalf Zion Going is named for the first time after arriving from Australia. James Vaifale provides cover in the outside backs.
Despite their winless record it’s Old Glory who enter with greater momentum. Both New York and Toronto were made to work for their wins, and the arrival of Osborne has undoubtedly lifted spirits. Utah are unsettled and face a road trip without several key players. Take the home side to finally shake the goose-egg from their win column.
Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 6pm Mountain, 5pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on KMYU and KSL Sports in Utah, and NBC Sports Washington. Viewers both domestic and abroad can watch a live stream on The Rugby Network.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Rob Irimescu, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Stan South 6 Felix Kalapu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Luke Campbell, 9 Danny Tusitala (capt.), 10 Rohan Saifoloi, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Thretton Palamo, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Renata Roberts-Te Nana
Replacements: 16 Mo Katz, 17 Jack Carroll, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Fintan Coleman, 20 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 21 Dacoda Worth, 22 Danny Thomas, 23 Owen Sheehy
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Jurie van Vuuren, 5 Thomas Tu’avao, 6 Mike Gieselman, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Lance Williams, 9 Danny Christensen, 10 Caleb Makene, 11 Connor Burns, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 Joey Backe, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 James Mocke, 20 Puna Vuli, 21 Taris Schramm, 22 Zion Going, 23 James Vaifale
Date: Friday, April 15
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 20:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 18:00 Mountain)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Gavin McCandless (USA) & Aaron Davis (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
Broadcasts: KMYU, KSL Sports, NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-05-08 – Utah Warriors 34, Old Glory DC 33 (Zions Bank Stadium)
