Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
The top two teams in the standings will go head-to-head at Bold Stadium on Wednesday evening for a match some are dubbing the ‘Cocktail Bowl’. While the Austin Gilgronis and LA Giltinis may share the same owner, they are very different entities on the pitch.
It’s just the second Wednesday game in Major League Rugby history, the first between the Raptors and SaberCats at Houston in May 2019. The meeting between Austin and LA is a first though they did meet in the preseason. On that occasion LA needed a late try to secure the win in a high-scoring affair.
For both teams it’s a short turnaround from the weekend. The Giltinis put the loss in New York behind them with a bonus-point win over Utah at SoFi Stadium. It maintains their significant lead over the rest of the field that now stands at 10 points even.
Five changes are made to the starting lineup, four up front. Lindsey Stevens starts at hooker in place of Mahe Vailanu, and Nathan Den Hoedt rotates in at lock with Corey Thomas swapping to the bench. The first choice back row is restored with Christian Poidevin in at openside flanker and Adam Ashe at No8.
DTH van der Merwe starts on the left wing in the only change to the backs. There are two new prop reserves nominated in Luke White and Frikkie de Beer. White remains primarily a lock but did appear at loosehead prop against the Gilgronis in their March encounter.
Austin are in second place overall following their hard-fought win over New York on Saturday. In fact they are equal to Rugby ATL in wins and points, but are just ahead of the East Conference side in points differential. With Utah hot on their heels for the second playoff spot every point is vital.
An identical forward pack and reserves are named, but there are three changes in the backs. Ruben de Haas gets his first MLR start at scrumhalf after debuting as a replacement on the weekend. Cole Davis and Will Magie replace Rodrick Waters and Conner Mooneyham at right wing and fullback respectively.
LA has looked less invincible in the past couple weeks but remain unquestionably the team to beat. New York provided the blueprint to beating the Giltinis and Austin’s similarly tough defense could prove a challenge for their guests.
The equalizer looks to be the significant rainfall forecast across central Texas over the next couple days. That could favor the home side with their strong kicking game and two of MLR’s top lineout jumpers in Isaac Ross and Sebastian de Chaves. The visitors are favorites but an upset isn’t off the table.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast in Canada and the USA, with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers abroad.
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jamie Mackintosh, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Isaac Ross, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Dom Bailey, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Michael de Waal, 9 Ruben de Haas, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Ned Hodson, 12 Kurt Morath, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Cole Davis, 15 Will Magie
Replacements: 16 Mason Koch, 17 Mason Pedersen, 18 LaRome White, 19 Cam Dodson, 20 Moe Abdelmonem, 21 Pele Cowley, 22 Kyle Breytenbach, 23 Nick Johnson
LA GILTINIS
1 Jean-Pierre Smith, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Adam Ashe, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Matt Giteau, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Bill Meakes, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Luke Burton
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Luke White, 18 Frikkie de Beer, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Luke Carty, 23 Ryan James
Date: Wednesday, May 18
Venue: Bold Stadium, Austin
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & Butch Neuenschwander (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
n/a
