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Rugby ATL return from a week off to host the San Diego Legion on Saturday. It’s the third meeting between the two sides, with both previous encounters going to the team from Atlanta.
A runaway second half gave ATL a convincing win against NOLA two weeks ago. They sport a 2-1 record with their solitary loss on the road against the Seawolves.
The only changes to the starting side this week are in the front row. Alex Maughan is named at hooker, having played both prop positions this season. Wikus Groenewald replaces the injured John-Roy Jenkinson in the No3 shirt. Will Leonard wins his 50th Major League Rugby cap in the midfield.
On the bench there are first appearances of the season for USA Falcons prop Lincoln Si’i and Eagles Sevens speedster Nolan Tuamoheloa. Nahuel Milán is the reserve lock in place of Jordan Brown, and it’s a 5/3 split this week with Seth Purdey offering specialist midfield cover.
San Diego have played four games now and bounced back from the tough loss to the SaberCats with a shutout win at home against the Jackals. They are now one point behind the unbeaten Seawolves in the Western Conference standings.
Sama Malolo sits out this week with former Crusaders hooker Shilo Klein getting his first start. Chris Baumann swaps jerseys with Nate Sylvia to run out at tighthead prop. Blair Cowan returns to skipper the side with Dan Pryor dropping to the bench.
The only change to the starting backs sees Nate Augspurger taking over for Ryan Matyas on the wing. Josh Henderson is back in the match day squad as one of two back reserves alongside Tiaan Loots. Chris Turori covers lock or loose forward in place of Jale Railala.
Calm and cool conditions are on the forecast for game time. ATL will be well rested and confident in front of their home fans. The loss of Jenkinson does hurt their scrum somewhat. San Diego will miss Malolo’s power, but have plenty of talent at their disposal and a point to prove having never beaten their hosts. Give the favorites tag to the high-flying visitors but this will be very competitive.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific. A live broadcast will be available on The Rugby Network.
RUGBY ATL
1 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 2 Alex Maughan, 3 Wikus Groenewald, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Jason Damm, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Austin White, 12 Rewita Biddle, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Martini Talapusi
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 Will Burke, 18 Lincoln Si’i, 19 Nahuel Milán, 20 Daemon Torres, 21 Rowan Gouws, 22 Seth Purdey, 23 Nolan Tuamoheloa
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Shilo Klein, 3 Chris Baumann, 4 Ben Grant, 5 Isaac Ross, 6 Christian Poidevin, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tupou Afungia, 9 Richard Judd, 10 Will Hooley, 11 Nate Augspurger, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Marcel Brache, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Mikey Te’o
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Nathan Sylvia, 19 Dan Pryor, 20 Tevita Tameilau, 21 Chris Turori, 22 Josh Henderson, 23 Tiaan Loots
Date: Saturday, March 18
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 18:00 local (15:00 Pacific)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Cisco Lopez (USA) & Dave Edwards (USA)
TMO: Kahlil Harrison (USA)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-24 – San Diego Legion 17, Rugby ATL 30 (SDSU Sports Deck)
2021-04-03 – Rugby ATL 41, San Diego Legion 22 (Lupo Family Field)
