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It’s Utah’s turn for a home opener when they host Dallas at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Both teams are looking to bounce back from opening round defeats. The Warriors came up short in the record-setting sunshine at San Diego, while the Jackals were second-best in the Texas derby against Houston at Choctaw Stadium.
Despite the defeat there is minimal tinkering from Greg Cooper to his Utah lineup this week. The only change to the run-on side sees Emerson Prior coming in at loosehead prop with Franco van den Berg dropping to the bench. It’s a conventional 5/3 split this week with outside back Logan Tago taking the spot of Tongan international Onehunga Havili.
Agustín Cavalieri’s Jackals were beaten convincingly by the SaberCats, but did show some life in the final quarter of the match. They certainly look a more competitive unit than a year ago, and will feature four new players against the Warriors.
First choice halfback duo Pedro Imhoff and Martín Elías will get their first Major League Rugby experience at the expense of countrymen Nazareno Valentini and Alejandro Torres. Imhoff has 3 caps for Los Pumas while Elías has represented the Argentina XV on several occasions.
Suspension to Marcos Moroni sees James Vaifale moving up to a starting wing spot. That opens an import slot for new arrival Nicolás Revol as reserve loosehead prop, and USA Falcons midfielder Patrick Medina is set to make his MLR debut as a replacement.
The two sides faced each other on two occasions last season. Utah blitzed the hamstrung Jackals by a record score at the Bank in March. When it was Dallas’ turn to host the score was less dramatic but similarly one-sided.
It won’t be the warmest day ever but the weather shouldn’t have a significant impact with some clouds and light wind on the forecast. Dallas will be more competitive with Imhoff and Elias pulling the strings but it’s a big ask to deliver on Day One against a Utah side who are well acquainted. Expect the home side to deliver a victory in front of the Warriors faithful.
Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, 1pm Pacific, 3pm Central, 4pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available on KMYU in Utah, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Emerson Prior, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Jamie Lane, 5 Saia Uhila, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Connor McLeod, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Calvin Whiting, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Caleb Makene
Replacements: 16 Joey Backe, 17 Franco van den Berg, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Thomas Tu’avao, 20 Jeremiah Noaese, 21 Zion Going, 22 Logan Tago, 23 Cliven Loubser
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Liam Murray, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Sam Golla, 5 Lucas Bur, 6 Conrado Roura, 7 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 Pedro Imhoff, 10 Martín Elías, 11 James Vaifale, 12 Juan Pablo Aguirre (capt.), 13 Tomás Malanos, 14 Eric Naposki, 15 Adriaan Carelse
Replacements: 16 Connor Robinson, 17 Nicolás Revol, 18 Kyle Steeves, 19 Maikeli Naromaitoga, 20 Carson Shoemaker, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Patrick Medina, 23 Campbell Johnstone
Date: Saturday, February 25
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 14:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 15:00 Central, 16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Marquise Goodwin (USA)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Justin Canova (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: KMYU, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-06-04 – Dallas Jackals 5, Utah Warriors 33 (Choctaw Stadium)
2022-03-05 – Utah Warriors 69, Dallas Jackals 22 (Zions Bank Stadium)
