The Glendale Raptors host NOLA Gold Rugby on Saturday, March 30 at 7 pm MDT (9 pm EDT) at Infinity Park. Tickets are available and the match is being streamed on 9news.com.
The Raptors are undefeated at home and in 4th place with a 3-2-3 record, while NOLA Gold is in 1st place with a 6-1 record.
Match Comments
Glendale Raptors Head Coach David Williams has made four changes in his starters with Chad Gough and Kody O’Neil at hooker and at lock, respectively. In the backs, Robbie Petzer and John Ryberg return at inside center and wing, respectively. Johnstone Campbell joins the matchday 23 as a reserve.
NOLA Gold Head Coach Nate Osborne has made two changes in his starters with Billy Stewart returning at lock as Kane Thompson is rested. Tristan Blewett also returns at outside center.
In the reserves, James Irey could make his debut at prop off the bench and John Sullivan returns after being rested.
The Glendale Raptors seek to control possession and territory. Like NOLA Gold, they score tries and defend well. NOLA Gold has an edge in the lineouts.
Both teams commit penalties, especially during tackling and in the scrum. Minimizing infractions and handling errors could be the key to the match. The Glendale Raptors are undefeated at home and face a challenge in playing first place NOLA Gold.
Squads with Player Article Links
Glendale Raptors: 1 Noah Barker 2 Chad Gough 3 Kelepi Fifita 4 William Munro 5 Kody O’Neil 6 Brendan Daly 7 Peter Dahl 8 Hanco Germishuys 9 Shaun Davies (C) 10 Will Magie 11 Harley Davidson 12 Robbie Petzer13 Mika Kruse 14 John Ryberg 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson 16 Zach Fenoglio 17 Blake Rogers 18 Max Lum 19 Luke White 20 Malon Al-Jiboori 21 Mickey Bateman 22 Ata Malifa 23 Campbell Johnstone
NOLA Gold: 1 Hubert Buydens 2 Eric Howard (C) 3 Ben Tarr 4 Billy Stewart 5 Ignacio Dotti 6 Nikola Bursic 7 Zack Stryffeler 8 Kyle Baille 9 Holden Yungert 10 Scott Gale 11 Nick Feakes 12 Con Foley 13 Tristan Blewett 14 Tim Maupin 15 JP Eloff (C) 16 Kavika Peniata 17 Cam Falcon 18 James ‘Doc’ Irey 19 Moni Tongauiha 20 John Sullivan 21 Kevin O’Connor 22 Michael Baska 23 JoJo Tikoisuva + Head Coach Nate Osborne
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