The Seattle Seawolves face San Diego Legion at Starfire Sports Complex on Sunday, May 9 at 5 pm local (8 pm ET). The match will be broadcast on Fox 5 San Diego, Roots Sports, and on The Rugby Network.
Both teams have had a rash of injuries at key positions and enter the match with the Legion in 4th place in the Western Conference with a 2-5 record and 13 points. The Seawolves are in 6th place with a 1-5 record and 7 points.
San Diego has made seven changes since last week’s loss to New England. Forward changes include Chris Baumann at tighthead prop, Josh Furno returning to the team after a short-term loan to Biarritz, at lock, and Michael Smith and Travis Larsen getting their first start at blindside flanker and No.8, respectively.
Backs changes see Carolo de Nysschen returning a scrumhalf, Tai Enosa starting for the first time this season at flyhalf, and Ryan Matyas returning on the right wing.
In the reserves, Faka’osi Pifeleti provides cover at loosehead prop. Cardiff Met RFC & former USA U20 scrumhalf Ethan McVeigh joins the team at scrumhalf. Ethan and Patrick Madden were the 2018 and 2017 winners of the Mark Loane Award for the High School Player of the Year.
The Seattle Seawolves gave MLR Eastern Division leader, Rugby United New York, all that they could handle last week before losing in the closing minutes 23-21 after a Mat Turner penalty attempt was wide. The team has had success at Starfire Sports Complex and it may expect the boisterous crowd to fuel the Seawolves against the Legion.
Seattle Seawolves Head Coach Pate Tuilevuka has made four changes in the starters from last weeks match against Rugby United New York. Tim Metcher swaps places with Jake Ilnicki at tighthead prop, Samu Manu and Sitivena Tamaivena returns at lock and at right-wing, respectively. Alatimu joins the team at flyhalf from the GPS Gallopers and has also played with Western Force.
There are also positional changes in the backs with Kieran Joyce shifting from flyhalf to the inside center, Shalom Suniula from #12 to #13, and Ross Neal from #14 to #11.
In the reserves, Huluholo Mo’ungaloa is cover at loosehead prop and USA lock/flanker international, Ben Landry, joins the team.
Squads with Player Article Links
Seattle Seawolves: 1 Djustice Sears-Duru 2 James Malcolm 3 Tim Metcher 4 Conor McGill 5 Samu Manoa 6 Tommy Hunkin-Clark 7 Andrew Durutalo 8 Riekert Hattingh (c) 9 JP Smith 10 AJ Alatimu 11 Ross Neal 12 Kieran Joyce 13 Shalom Suniula 14 Sitiveni Tamaivena 15 Mat Turner 16 Obert Nortjé 17 Huluholo Moungaloa 18 Jake Ilnicki 19 Ben Landry 20 Eric Duechle 21 Devereaux Ferris 22 Setareki Tuilevuka 23 Aaron Matthews
San Diego Legion: 1 Cronan Gleeson 2 Dean Muir (VC) 3 Chris Baumann 4 Ben Mitchell 5 Josh Furno 6 Michael Smith 7 Psalm Wooching 8 Travis Larsen 9 Carlo De Nysschen 10 Tai Enosa 11 Cole Zarcone 12 Cam Clark (C) 13 Bjorn Basson 14 Ryan Matyas 15 Cecil Afrika 16 Tevita Tameilau17 Faka’osi Pifeleti 18 Aaron Mitchell 19 Jasa Veremalua 20 Victor Comptat 21 Pete Malcolm 22 Ethan McVeigh 23 Patrick Madden
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