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Saturday’s preseason match between the Utah Warriors and Rugby ATL will carry some emotional weight with it. While it does not count in the standings, it represents the first meeting between two senior Major League Rugby sides since the league was forced to suspend operations on March 12, 2020.
Both teams will field strong lineups that are not far off full strength which only adds to the occasion. It is also the only one of three preseason matches taking place on Saturday that will be live streamed. NOLA’s games against Austin and Houston will not be broadcast online.
NOTE: Utah’s lineup has been amended from an earlier release. A notable addition is flanker Mike Gieselman who played for the New England Free Jacks during their 2019 exhibition campaign.
The Warriors starting lineup is set to feature five players new to the team this season. US Eagles recruits Paul Mullen and Mike Te’o line up at their preferred spots of tighthead prop and fullback respectively. South African arrival Aston Fortuin partners Matt Jensen in the second row, and American Samoa 7s cap Joseph Mano is on the wing.
Perhaps the most notable selection comes in the halfbacks. Michael Baska played second string to former captain Dwayne Polataivao in 2020. He is given the first opportunity to earn the starting role with collegiate draft pick Danny Giannascoli a surprise selection at flyhalf.
There are three further newcomers on the bench. Former BYU lock James Mocke joins Canadian scrumhalf Fraser Hurst and ex-pro footballer Logan Tago. Mocke, Tago, and Mano were part of the Warriors Selects development program in the fall.
Six new names feature for ATL who are fresh off their Silver vs Black intra-squad contest streamed last weekend. Ex-RUNY front rower Jonas Petrakopoulos starts at tighthead prop with long-time Glendale flanker Connor Cook starting on the blindside. Jason Damm has been awarded a start at No8 after impressing in Marietta.
Robbie Petzer and Bautista Ezcurra played opposite each other on Saturday but now team up at flyhalf and inside center respectively. Rowan Gouws gets the first go in the No9 shirt, with New Zealand import Te Rangatira Waitokia getting a look at outside center after playing fullback in the trial match.
As with Utah there are three further newcomers among the reserves. Collegiate signing Lincoln Sii and another New York castoff Will Burke are the reserve props. Ryan Rees is named as backup scrumhalf with last year’s starter Duncan van Schalkwyk set to cover flyhalf.
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, noon Pacific, 3pm Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on the KSL Sports App, the KSL Sports website, and the Utah Warriors Facebook page.
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Veremalua Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Aston Fortuin, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Thomas Tu’avao, 7 Bailey Wilson, 8 Lance Williams, 9 Michael Baska, 10 Danny Giannascoli, 11 Joseph Mano, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Josh Whippy, 15 Mike Te’o
Replacements: 16 Elijah Hayes, 17 Alex Tucci, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 James Mocke, 20 Mike Gieselman, 21 Fraser Hurst, 22 Hagen Schulte, 23 Logan Tago
RUGBY ATL
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Alex Maughan, 3 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Connor Cook, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Jason Damm, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Robbie Petzer, 11 Harley Davidson, 12 Bautista Ezcurra, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Martini Talapusi
Replacements: 16 Neethling Gericke, 17 Will Burke, 18 Lincoln Sii, 19 Vili Helu, 20 Ross Deacon, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 Zander van Schalkwyk, 23 Duncan van Schalkwyk
Date: Saturday, March 6
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 13:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Facebook, KSL Sports
