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Utah returns from a week off to host Carolina at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday night. The Warriors are looking to get back on track after a disappointing start to their campaign, while Anthem are still in search of their first victory after five straight defeats.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
1-3-0 (L2) West 5th
0-5-0 (L5) East 6th
| LINEUP CHANGES |
1 Paul Mullen replaces Emerson Prior
2 Nic Souchon replaces Phil Bradford
6 Onehunga Havili replaces Louis Conradie
7 Bailey Wilson replaces Thomas Tu’avao
9 Zion Going replaces Kieran McClea
10 Robbie Povey replaces Joel Hodgson
14 Sione Mahe replaces Isaia Kruse
16 Tyler Wong replaces Nic Souchon
17 Franco van den Berg replaces Paul Mullen
19 Kalisi Moli replaces Onehunga Havili
20 Jonah Dietenberger replaces Saia Uhila
21 Kieran McClea replaces Zion Going
23 Joel Hodgson replaces Robbie Povey
3 Joe Apikotoa replaces Stephan Bernal-Wendt
7 Joe Basser replaces Albert O’Shannessey
9 Siaosi Nai replaces Conor McManus
9 Nick Boyer replaces Connor Tupai
15 Shane Barry replaces Tyren Al-Jiboori
16 Jack Manzo replaces Connor Robinson
20 Braemar Murray replaces Joe Basser
21 Sean Yacoubian replaces Siaosi Nai
22 Tyren Al-Jiboori replaces Shane Barry
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(9) – Mullen, MacLellan, Jensen, Wilson, Mano, Lasike, Kruse (USA), Havili (Tonga), Povey (Canada)
(2) – Turnbull (USA), Apikotoa (Tonga)
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(1) – Tyler Wong
(2) – Joe Apikotoa*, Sean Yacoubian
* – MLR debut
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Tuvere Vugakoto (HO), Spencer Jones (CE), Caleb Makene (FB)
– Dylan Fortune (N8), Conor McManus (SH), Cliven Loubser (FH/FB)
| NOTES |
- Utah hands first starts of the season to Onehunga Havili and Robbie Povey… both are capped internationals, having played for Tonga and Canada respectively
- former Toronto Arrows hooker and Canada u20 select Tyler Wong is set to make his Warriors debut as a replacement… he was initially selected by Miami in the dispersal draft
- Paul Mullen starts at loosehead prop for Utah… while he has filled in on the left side of the scrum on occasion as a replacement, this is the first time he has worn the No1 shirt in MLR… additionally all of his test starts with the Eagles have been at No3
- Anthem welcome the last of their overseas signings to their lineup in tighthead prop Joe Apikotoa… he represented Tonga at the 2023 World Cup in France
- Sean Yacoubian is set to make his Anthem debut as a replacement… this will be his fourth MLR club, having previously suited up for Colorado, New England, and Chicago… Anthem have already featured Chase Suznevich, Siaosi Nai, and Conor McManus at scrumhalf while Rino Teoni is also typically a No9 though his replacement appearance in Week 3 came on the wing
- Sione Latu joined Anthem from the Warriors play pathway… starting lock Reagan Leslie was due to play with Utah in 2022 but could not obtain visa clearance
| PREDICTION |
Greg Cooper has changed up half of his starting lineup after an underwhelming performance against Los Angeles two weeks ago. It remains a strong Utah lineup with only a couple regulars absent. Meanwhile Anthem field arguably their strongest match day 23 of the season, but face wind, altitude, and brisk conditions in Salt Lake City. Utah are clear favorites at home.
| LINEUPS |
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Paul Mullen, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Frank Lochore, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Onehunga Havili, 7 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 8 Dylan Nel, 9 Zion Going, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Mika Kruse, 14 Sione Mahe, 15 Michael Manson
Replacements: 16 Tyler Wong, 17 Franco van den Berg, 18 Tonga Kofe, 19 Kalisi Moli, 20 Jonah Dietenberger, 21 Kieran McClea, 22 Alesana Pohla, 23 Joel Hodgson
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Jake Turnbull (capt.), 2 Declan Moore, 3 Joe Apikotoa, 4 Reagan Leslie, 5 James Rivers, 6 Shneil Singh, 7 Joe Basser, 8 Sione Latu, 9 Siaosi Nai, 10 Oscar Koller, 11 David Still, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Cael Hodgson, 15 Shane Barry
Replacements: 16 Jack Manzo, 17 Dan Hanson, 18 Ivan Pula, 19 Logan Weidner, 20 Braemar Murray, 21 Sean Yacoubian, 22 Tyren Al-Jiboori, 23 Ulu Niutupuivaha
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Friday, April 5
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 19:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 41°F (5°C), wind SW 17-26mph (27-42km/h)
Broadcasts: KMYU, KSL Sports, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Robin Kaluzniak (Canada)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Mike Lawrenson (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (0) – first match
