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Major League Rugby will celebrate another first on Saturday afternoon when the San Diego Legion break in their new home at Snapdragon Stadium. The 35,000-seat venue hosts the Utah Warriors for a classic Western Conference rivalry that dates back to the inaugural 2018 campaign.
It’s only been a week since the two sides last made each other’s acquaintance. The Legion won convincingly in their preseason friendly though the result should be taken with a grain of salt given the constant changes made during the match.
In the real world their clashes are historically close, though the Warriors will be looking to return the favor after losing by 15 points at Zions Bank Stadium last April. Utah will also be keen to celebrate the arrival of new coach Greg Cooper with a victory.
Only two newcomers feature in the Warriors starting lineup. They happen to be the halfbacks. Hawke’s Bay arrival Connor McLeod pairs with English Premiership veteran Joel Hodgson to lead a backline that also features by Eagles duo Paul Lasike and Calvin Whiting in the centers.
There are two further potential debutants among the reserves. Tongan international Onehunga Havili cedes the starting lock position to his countryman Saia Uhila. Meanwhile 21-year-old Jeremiah Noaese could feature as a loose forward replacement.
San Diego are swinging for the fences this season and will roll out an impressive lineup that includes six players making their Legion debut. One of those is former Scotland flanker Blair Cowan, who has been appointed captain by Head Coach Danny Lee.
Sama Malolo gets the start against his former team at hooker, and Isaac Ross packs down in the engine room. Tongan age-grade select Tupou Afungia steps in for Tevita Tameilau at No8. Crusaders export Shilo Klein and Hawaiian back row Malakai Latu are named on a bench that shows a 6/2 split, as is former LA openside Christian Poidevin.
The backline begins with new scrumhalf Richard Judd, with Marcel Brache taking over as vice-captain alongside Ma’a Nonu in the midfield. Nate Augspurger runs out on the wing with Mikey Te’o at fullback opposite the team he starred for over the past two seasons.
Ideal conditions are on the forecast which sets the stage for some exciting running rugby. San Diego’s star-studded backline ran rampant in Chula Vista last weekend and the Warriors will have to close the space to prevent a similar result. Utah are also a serious outfit but the occasion should drive the Legion to their first of many wins this season.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 5pm Mountain, 7pm Eastern. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide. Those located outside the USA can watch on The Rugby Network.
SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Sama Malolo, 3 Nathan Sylvia, 4 Ben Grant, 5 Isaac Ross, 6 Dan Pryor, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tupou Afungia, 9 Richard Judd, 10 Josh Henderson, 11 Tomas Aoake, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Marcel Brache, 14 Nate Augspurger, 15 Mikey Te’o
Replacements: 16 Shilo Klein, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Chris Baumann, 19 Chris Turori, 20 Malakai Latu, 21 Christian Poidevin, 22 Will Hooley, 23 Ryan Matyas
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Tuvere Vugakoto, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Jamie Lane, 5 Saia Uhila, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Jurie van Vuuren, 9 Connor McLeod, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Calvin Whiting, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Caleb Makene
Replacements: 16 Joey Backe, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Thomas Tu’avao, 20 Onehunga Havili, 21 Jeremiah Noaese, 22 Zion Going, 23 Cliven Loubser
Date: Saturday, February 18
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 16:00 local (17:00 Mountain, 19:00 Eastern)
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Jacob Gonzalez (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-01 – Utah Warriors 25, San Diego Legion 40 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2022-02-06 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 29 (SDSU Sports Deck)
2021-06-12 – Utah Warriors 45, San Diego Legion 41 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2021-04-17 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 29 (Dignity Health Track Field)
2019-05-18 – Utah Warriors 21, San Diego Legion 31 (Zions Bank Stadium)
2019-02-17 – San Diego Legion 21, Utah Warriors 10 (Torero Stadium)
2018-04-29 – San Diego Legion 31, Utah Warriors 24 (Torero Stadium)
