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In a rematch of the inaugural Major League Rugby Final the defending champion Seattle Seawolves will host the Glendale Raptors at a sold-out Starfire Stadium on Sunday evening. The Raptors will have not forgotten the disappointment of losing in San Diego with a significant number of returnees on both sides it won’t take long for old acquaintances to be renewed.
Seattle will field a full strength side that features three new signings in the pack. Stephan Coetzee starts at hooker after signing from the Southern Kings, while Fijian international Api Naikatini takes his place in the second row. Manawatu forward Brad Tucker adds size to an impressive loose forward trio that includes fan favorite Vili Toluta’u and pack leader Riekert Hattingh.
All eyes will be on new flyhalf Ben Cima who combines with Phil Mack to direct the troops. The rest of the backline is identical to their first choice group of last season with Shalom Suniula the captain. JP Smith will await his debut from the bench along with new signing Moses Lalasava, while Canada’s George Barton covers the midfield.
Glendale will start off-season additions Chad Gough and Marco Fepulea’i in the front row, pushing Luke White to lock. Brendan Daly is named on the blindside flank with Eagles star Hanco Germishuys at openside and Connor Cook gets the nod at No8 ahead of Eagles signing Malon Al-Jiboori.
The backs have a similar complexion to last season with the only new name Dylan Taikato-Simpson at fullback. South African import Robbie Petzer settles for a spot on the bench where there are three more set to debut in loosehead prop Max Lum, loose forward Will Munro, and scrumhalf Carlo de Nysschen.
As it was last season there isn’t a lot between these two sides but the edge in off-season signings goes to Seattle. All four of their newcomers in the run-on side are high quality. Glendale’s scrum looks more competitive but on the whole they look about even to where they were at the end of last season. It wasn’t quite good enough then and a similar result looks likely here.
Kickoff is set for 7:30pm local time, 10:30pm Eastern. A live broadcast will be on CBS Sports Network.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Taylor Krumrei, 5 Api Naikatini, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Vili Toluta’u, 8 Riekert Hattingh, 9 Phil Mack, 10 Ben Cima, 11 Peter Tiberio, 12 Shalom Suniula (capt.), 13 William Rasileka, 14 Brock Staller, 15 Mat Turner
Replacements: 16 Mike Shepherd, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 John Hayden, 19 Jérémy Lenaerts, 20 Eric Duechle, 21 JP Smith, 22 George Barton, 23 Moses Lalasava
GLENDALE RAPTORS
1 Blake Rogers, 2 Chad Gough, 3 Marco Fepulea’i, 4 Kody O’Neil, 5 Luke White, 6 Brendan Daly, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Connor Cook, 9 Shaun Davies (capt.), 10 Will Magie, 11 Harley Davidson, 12 Chad London, 13 Mika Kruse, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson
Replacements: 16 Zach Fenoglio, 17 Max Lum, 18 Kelepi Fifita, 19 Will Munro, 20 Malon Al-Jiboori, 21 Carlo de Nysschen, 22 Robbie Petzer, 23 Nick Johnson
Date: Sunday, January 27
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Seattle
Kickoff: 19:30 local (22:30 Eastern)
Referee: Pali Deluca (UAR)
Assistants: Scott Green (USAR) & Denny Russell (USAR)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network
