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Utah can take a big step towards top booking in the Western Conference playoffs when they host Anthem on Friday night. The Charlotte-based franchise are still searching for their first ever victory and are adjusting to a recent coaching change. Anthem also arrives without injured Eagles back Erich Storti.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
9-5-0 (W1) West 2nd
0-14-0 (L14) East 6th
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
|
IN | OUT |
| 4 | Bailey Wilson | Matt Jensen |
| 6 | Lance Williams | Bailey Wilson |
| 12 | Spencer Jones | Paul Lasike |
| 15 | Jordan Trainor | Nolan Tuamoheloa |
|
IN | OUT |
| 8 | Dylan Fortune | Graeme Pedegana |
| 13 | EJ Freeman | Erich Storti |
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(8) – Seiuli (Samoa), Coltman (New Zealand), Wilson, Mano, MacLellan, Jensen (USA), Jones, Benn (Canada)
(6) – Turnbull, Golla, Grandy, Fricker, Wilson (USA), Loubser (Namibia)
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Gavin Thornbury (LO), D’Angelo Leuila (FH/CE), Paul Lasike (CE)
– Joe Apikotoa (TH), Erich Storti (CE), Conner Mooneyham (WI)
| PREDICTION |
Mild conditions are on the forecast, though the altitude might have an affect on the visitors. Anthem had a better showing against Chicago last week but with no Storti or Mooneyham in the backline and Cliven Loubser on the bench, tries might be hard to come by. The Warriors welcome back Spencer Jones and will be looking to pile on the points early to give some tired bodies a few minutes of rest ahead of the postseason. Utah are clear favorites at home.
| LINEUPS |
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Aki Seiuli (capt.), 2 Liam Coltman, 3 Tonga Kofe, 4 Bailey Wilson, 5 Frank Lochore, 6 Lance Williams, 7 Kalisi Moli, 8 Dylan Nel, 9 Zion Going, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Cole Semu, 14 Nic Benn, 15 Jordan Trainor
Replacements: 16 Phil Bradford, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Matt Jensen, 20 Jeremiah Noaese, 21 Logan Crowley, 22 Tyler Wong, 23 Tielu Sagala
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Connor Robinson, 3 Alex Hernandez, 4 Sam Golla (capt.), 5 Mikey Grandy, 6 Alejandro Martinez Tapia, 7 Makeen Alikhan, 8 Dylan Fortune, 9 Karl Keane, 10 Cam Gerlach, 11 Toby Fricker, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 EJ Freeman, 14 Corbin Smith, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Ethan Howard, 17 Dan Hanson, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Shawn Clark, 20 Colin Turner, 21 Ishy Safodien, 22 Mateo Gadsden, 23 Cliven Loubser
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Friday, May 30
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 19:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 21:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 79°F (26°C), wind N 8-12mph (13-19km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, KJZZ, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Alex Nunnally (USA)
TMO: Amanda Cox (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (1) – Utah 1, Carolina 0
2024-04-05 – Utah Warriors 44, Anthem Carolina 19 (Zions Bank Stadium)
