The San Diego Legion resumes rivalry on the West Coast with the Seattle Seawolves on the sports deck on Sunday. Both teams arrived for the match with a 2-0 record, a positive start to the campaign after the 2021 season was disappointing for each.
It’s a rivalry that has been going on since the start of the Premier League in rugby, and was primarily watched as the Seawolves beat the Legion in the epic 2019 Final Championship. The two teams have now shared their eight previous meetings, and the Legion won the last battle of Chula Vista last July.
San Diego overcame an early deficit against the Dallas Jackals expansion last weekend, but it was costly. Five players have been ruled out due to injuries, and several players in the off-season have yet to enroll, the club reaching into their depth chart to fill their roster.
Matt Molds gets his first start in MLR, replacing Peter Malcolm as a prostitute, and Chris Shade was called to the bench as a cover. Both Chris Robshaw and Dan Pryor came out, so Chris Turora and Michael Smith have new flankers. The back row reserve this week is Derrick Brussar.
Will Huley’s early injury in the Dallas game led to Patrick Madden joining the flyhalf field, but Joe Petersen is ready for duty this week, so the former captain is wearing an №10 jersey. In midfield, there is a change of outer center: Tian Luts came out, and Thomas Marani came in.
Seattle struck early against Utah and struggled with fatigue to hold on to a narrow victory at Starfire Stadium. This year they look much more collected, but this is their first road test. Allen Clark has made three changes to his lineup, two put into effect.
Dewald Donald was injured against the Warriors, so Kahlen Gordon started in the bench and Matt Duncan added to the bench. Setfana Funaki from Tonga is a new subscriber who jumps straight to the second line, and Victor Compta is playing a reserve role this week.
In the back is Dan Krill, who was injured, and Martin Iosef slipped in midfield to partner Tavita Lopeti. Lauina Footy takes a place on the wing. This is the first appearance this year for the American Samoa speedster, who made a big impact after signing in the middle of last season.
In San Diego, as always, bright and sunny conditions are expected. The Legion may have some advantage at home, but the Savuls are unlikely to be intimidated by the Sports Deck, which has won at the Torrero Stadium in the past. Seattle looks best in form, and the results of “San Diego” are a little exciting.
The most significant factor is injuries, and there is no doubt that the hosts have suffered to a greater extent. Take visitors ahead in historical results.
The start is scheduled for 16:00 local time, 17:00 Eastern time. A local broadcast is available at Root Sports in Seattle with a broadcast of The Rugby Network worldwide.
LEGION OF SAN DIEGO
1 Nathan Sylvia, 2 Matt Molds, 3 Hancus van Wieck, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Ben Grant, 5 Ben Grant, 6 Chris Turori, 7 Michael Smith, 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Nate Augsperger, 10 Joe Petersen, 11 Bjorn Basan, 12 Ma ‘ a (captain), 13 Thomas Marani, 14 Ryan Matthias, 15 Matthias Freyr
Substitutions: 16 Chris Shade, 17 Paddy Ryan, 18 Chris Bowman, 19 Jonah Dittenberger, 20 Derrick Brussar, 21 Nick Gillie, 22 Patrick Madden, 23 Yakovin House
Seattle Sea Wolves
1 Kellen Gordon, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Setfan Funaki, 5 Rina Herbst, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Naka Penny, 8 Rickert Hatting (Captain), 9 J. P. Smith, 10 AJ Alatima, 11 Lauina Footy, 12 Tavit Lopezti, 13 Martin Joseph, 14 Ross Neal, 15 Duncan Matthews
Substitutions: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Matt Duncan, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Victor Comptat, 20 Travis Larsen, 21 Reed Watkins, 22 Kieran Joyce, 23 David Busby
Date: Sunday, February 20th
Venue: SDSU Sports Deck, San Diego
Start: 14:00 local (17:00 Eastern)
Judge: J. P. Doyle (England)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) and Jacob Gonzalez (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: Root Sports, Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
03.07.2021 – Legion San Diego 34, Seattle Seawolves 21 (Elite Athletes Training Center)
09.05.2021 – Seattle Seawolves 21, San Diego Legion 15 (Starfire Stadium)
February 9, 2020 – Legion of San Diego 33, Seattle Seawolves 24 (Torrera Stadium)
06/16/2019 – Legion of San Diego 23, Seattle Seawolves 26 (Torrera Stadium)
March 31, 2019 – Seattle Seawolves 22, San Diego Legion 28 (Starfire Stadium)
2019-02-02 – Legion of San Diego 17, Seattle Seawolves 13 (Torrera Stadium)
06/30/2018 – Seattle Seawolves 38, San Diego Legion 24 (Infinity Park)
04/22/2018 – Seattle Seawolves 39, San Diego Legion 23 (Starfire Stadium)