The Utah Warriors host the San Diego Legion on May 18 at 7 pm MT (9 pm ET) at Zions Bank Stadium. Tickets are available for the match and it will be broadcast on ESPN+, KMYU, and The CW San Diego.
Six teams are currently in the hunt for four playoff spots. Four of the teams have three matches remaining, while San Diego and Toronto have two. The top six teams are separated by 10 points, with only 4 points separating the third place Toronto Arrows from fifth place Rugby United New York. A bonus point win would move the team back in a top four position. See MLR standings!
Match Comments
Utah Warriors Head Coach Alf Daniels has made one change in his starters with James Semple at fullback. Dan Pati shifts from fullback to wing with Fets Vainikolo moving to the reserves.
San Diego Legion Head Coach Rob Hoadley has made four changes to the starters with Dino Waldren gaining his first start at tighthead prop. Drew Gaffney is at flanker, Tai Enosa at flyhalf, and Conor Kearns at inside center.
The Utah Warriors led last week for all but the closing minutes of last week’s match against the Toronto Arrows. They will be motivated to knock the Legion out of first place in the MLR standings. The Legion need a bonus point win to stay ahead of NOLA Gold and will seek every opportunity to score tries.
The Legion average almost 28 points per match compared with 23 for the Warriors. The Legion has the number 1 defense in the league, but will face a physical challenge when they face the Warriors. Both team excell in counterattacks with the Warriors showing their sevens flair.
Utah will need to kick for territory and score from close range. They also will need to take early points from penalty goals when chances occur. The Legion are the ranked first in penalties, but the Warriors are close behind in fourth. Both teams need to keep discipline in check.
Look for both teams to take an early lead. Both teams are talented with the Legion and the Warriors playing some of their best rugby of the year.
Squads With Player Article Links
Utah Warriors: 1 Franco Van den Berg 2 Jeremy Leber 3 Angus Maclellan 4 Saia Uhila (VC) 5 Matt Jensen 6 Lance Williams 7 Ara Elkington 8 Arthur Bergo 9 Johnny Ika 10 Josh Reeves 11 Don Pati 12 Tim O’Malley (C) 13 Gannon Moore 14 Jeremy Misailegalu15 James Semple 16 Alex Tucci 17 Metai Tuimoala 18 Les Soloai 19 Huluhola Moungaloa 20 John Cullen 21 Fetu’u Vanikolo 22 Josh Whippy 23 Joseph Nicholls + Head Coach Alf Daniels
San Diego Legion: 1 Faka’osi Pifeleti 2 Kapeli Pifeleti 3 Dino Waldren 4 Lou Stanfill 5 Keni Nasoqeqe (VC) 6 Jasa Veremalua 7 Drew Gaffney 8 Jordan Manihera 9 Nate Augspurger (C) 10 Tai Enosa 11 Nick Boyer 12 Conor Kearns 13 JP Duplessis14 Save Totovosau 15 Mike Te’o16 Pat Blair17 Nathan Sylvia 18 Paddy Ryan 19 Siaosi Mahoni 20 Devin Short 21 Nick Lupian 22 Kyle Rogers 23 Will Holder + Head Coach Rob Hoadley
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