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The Dallas Jackals host the LA Giltinis at Choctaw Stadium on Saturday in the first of two matches that could see a lead change at the top of the Western Conference table. Should the Giltinis secure a bonus point win over Dallas and Austin fail to take any points from their trip to Utah, it would be LA who jump into first place.
Of course the first order of business is for the Giltinis to bounce back from their disappointing loss to the Legion last weekend. It snapped a seven-game winning streak and has prompted six personnel changes from Stephen Hoiles. The Head Coach, though, will have to watch from afar after receiving a one-week suspension for objectionable sideline behavior in San Diego.
Three Canadian-eligible front rowers get the start in Djustice Sears-Duru, Lindsey Stevens, and Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin. In the back row Corey Thomas switches to the blindside flank as Langilangi Haupeakui gets his first run-out of the season at No8. Cyrille Cama provides bench cover for hooker, with Sam Peri returning to the squad as backup second row.
The halfbacks are the same but the rest of the backline is reshuffled. Bill Meakes moves from inside to outside center, with Luke Burton coming in at No12. Will Chambers switches from right wing to left, Tom Mitchell from left wing to fullback, and John Ryberg comes in on the right wing. USA international flyhalf Luke Carty is set for his first appearance of the campaign after recovering from a torn pectoral muscle suffered during the preseason.
Dallas have returned from their Canadian road trip with nothing to show for it after being shut out by the Arrows. The good news is they field a significantly stronger lineup this week with seven players returning to the starting lineup.
Herman Agenbag replaces Tommy Madaras at tighthead prop with Ryan Bower named on the bench as backup loosehead. Campbell Robinson starts at lock with Conrado Roura in at No8, pushing Asa Carter to the blindside flank. With no Mike Matarazzo this week there is a return for second row Sam Phillips on the bench after three-month hiatus.
The first choice halfback pairing of Carlo de Nysschen and Adriaan Carelse reunite, the latter having missed the last six games with injury. Cael Hodgson returns on the wing, and there is a new name in the midfield as former Houston powerhouse Veremu Dikidikilati makes his club debut at outside center. Chris Pennell drops back to his favored fullback position.
It should be a couple degrees cooler at kickoff than in the afternoon, but that still makes for very warm temperatures in Arlington. Fans can at least expect a more competitive outing thanks to the reinforced Jackals lineup. This is still a formidable Giltinis outfit, however, and one that should have no trouble getting back on the winning track.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Local broadcasts will be available on Bally Sports SoCal in Los Angeles and TXA 21 in Dallas, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Liam Murray, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Herman Agenbag, 4 Campbell Robinson, 5 Charlie Hola, 6 Asa Carter, 7 Jack Paloucek, 8 Conrado Roura, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Adriaan Carelse, 11 Rodrick Waters, 12 Lui Sitama, 13 Veramu Dikidikilati, 14 Cael Hodgson, 15 Chris Pennell (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Ryheem Powell, 17 Ryan Bower, 18 Alex Tucci, 19 Sam Phillips, 20 Matthew Gash-Gilder, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Chad London, 23 Cian Barry
LA GILTINIS
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin, 4 Nathan Den Hoedt, 5 Luke White, 6 Corey Thomas, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Langilangi Haupeakui, 9 Tas Smith, 10 Harrison Goddard, 11 Will Chambers, 12 Luke Burton, 13 Billy Meakes (capt.), 14 John Ryberg, 15 Tom Mitchell
Replacements: 16 Cyrille Cama, 17 Charlie Abel, 18 Marco Fepulea’i, 19 Sam Peri, 20 Zach Bonte, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Ben LeSage, 23 Luke Carty
Date: Saturday, May 21
Venue: Choctaw Stadium, Arlington
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Assistants: Andrew Low (USA) & Cole Jones (USA)
TMO: Davey Ardrey (USA)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports SoCal, The Rugby Network, TXA 21
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-03 – LA Giltinis 47, Dallas Jackals 7 (Memorial Coliseum)
