The Seattle Seawolves host San Diego Legion in a Western Conference playoff semifinal on Sunday, June 11 at 10:00 pm ET (7 pm local) at Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington. The match will be broadcast on Fox Sports 2 and internationally on The Rugby Network.
The winner will travel to Houston, Texas to play the SaberCats at AVEVA Stadium on June 18 at 7 pm ET in the Western Conference Final. Both the Seattle Seawolves (9-7) and San Diego Legion (8-8) meet as the result of both Austin Gilgronis and the LA Giltinis being disqualified.
In the Eastern Conference, Rugby New York defeated Rugby ATL 26-19 on the road last night and will meet the New England Free Jacks in Quincy, Massachusetts on June 19 at 3 pm in the Eastern Conference Final.
Seattle Seawolves
Allen Clarke has made four changes in his starters from last week’s regular-season win over the LA Giltinis. James Malcolm moves to hooker, Samu Manoa is fit and is at lock with Brad Tucker sliding to the reserves, and Andrew Durutalo returns to the squad at blindside flanker with Tommy Clark a reserve. The lone change in the backs sees Dan Kriel available and at the outside center.
The Seawolves have a historical 6-4 edge over the Legion and swept the series this season.
San Diego Legion
Danny Lee has made three changes from the team that lost to Austin Gilgronis on May 28. Nathan Sylvia is the loosehead prop with Hencus Van Wyk shifting to the tighthead. Ben Mitchell returns at lock and is paired with another twin tower in Ben Grant. USA international Nate Augspurger also returns to the starting squad. There is also one change in the reserves with Pat Lynott at loosehead prop.
San Diego enters the match after a bye week the last week of the regular season and will be rested. Look for Joe Pietersen’s boot to be a factor if a penalty is called on the Seawolves inside their territory.
Squads with Player Article Links
Seattle Seawolves: 1 Mzamo Majola 2 James Malcolm 3 Sam Matenga 4 Samu Manoa 5 Rhyno Herbst 6 Andrew Durutalo 7 Travis Larsen 8 Riekert Hattingh (C) 9 JP Smith10 AJ Alatimu 11 Martin Iosefo 12 David Busby 13 Dan Kriel 14 Ross Neal 15 Duncan Matthews 16 Mike Brown 17 Kellen Gordon 18 Taniela Tupou 19 Brad Tucker 20 Tommy Clark 21 Reid Watkins 22 Lopeti Aisea 23 Lauina Futi
SAN DIEGO LEGION: 1 Nathan Sylvia 2 James Hilterbrand 3 Hencus Van Wyk 4 Ben Mitchell 5 Ben Grant 6 Dan Pryor 7 Michael Smith 8 Tevita Tameilau (C) 9 Nate Augspurger 10 Josh Henderson 11Tomas Aoake 12 Ma’a Nonu (C) 13 Tiaan Loots 14 Bjorn Basson 15 Joe Pietersen 16 Pete Malcolm 17 Pat Lynott 18 Chris Baumann 19 Chris Robshaw 20 Chris Robshaw 21 Jason Higgins 22 Josh Thiel 23 Ryan Matyas
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