MLR 2024: San Diego Legion vs NOLA Gold

Two original Major League Rugby franchises renew acquaintances at Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday afternoon. San Diego have won four in a row and are working their way back to the top end of a competitive Western Conference. NOLA were defeated at home by Chicago last week and now face an opponent they have never beaten in seven attempts.

CURRENT STANDINGS

4-1-0 (W4) West 3rd

3-2-0 (L1) East 2nd

LINEUP CHANGES

4 Jay Tuivaiti replaces Isaac Ross
5 Greg Peterson replaces Charlie Hewitt
7 Blair Cowan replaces Finn Kearns
9 Connor Tupai replaces Nick Boyer
12 Ma’a Nonu replaces Tiaan Loots
13 Filimoni Waqainabete replaces Ethan Grayson
14 Tomas Aoake replaces Mikey Te’o
17 Nathan Sylvia replaces Payton Telea-Ilalio
19 Charlie Hewitt replaces Chris Turori
21 Danny Christensen replaces Connor Tupai
22 Tiaan Loots replaces Jay Tuivaiti
23 Chris Mattina replaces Alex Horan

3 James Irey replaces Sean Paranihi (suspension)
8 Osaiasi Tonga’uiha replaces Jonah Mau’u (injury)
10 Dorian Jones replaces Ross Depperschmidt (No13 vs Chicago)
16 Pat O’Toole replaces Osaiasi Tonga’uiha
17 Sam Klimkowski replaces Bart Vermeulen
18 Trent Rogers replaces James Irey
19 Maciu Koroi replaces Fintan Coleman
21 Damian Stevens replaces Sebastiano Villani
23 Ross Depperschmidt replaces Jack Webster

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(10) – Pifeleti, Peterson, Helu, Tameilau, James, Brache, Sylvia, Mattina (USA), Cowan (Scotland), Nonu (New Zealand)

(8) – Harmon, M Tonga’uiha (USA), Böhme (Chile), Botchar (Canada), Iona, Fidow (Samoa), Fife (Scotland), Stevens (Namibia)

CLUB DEBUTS

(1) – Jay Tuivaiti*

(1) – Trent Rogers*

* – MLR debut

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Luke Green (TH), Isaac Ross (LO), Christian Poidevin (FL), Tupou Afungia (FL/N8), Matt Giteau (FH), Mikey Te’o (WI/FB)

– Jarred Adams (LH), Sean Paranihi (TH), Isaac Olson (TH), Cam Dolan (LO/N8), Jonah Mau’u (FL/N8), OJ Noa (N8), Jordan Jackson-Hope (CE)

NOTES

Jay Tuivaiti is set to make his first MLR appearance as a starter… he was named as a replacement against Miami but did not get on the field… the 27-year-old from Auckland has previously trained with the Samoa 7s squad and played with Austin Blacks last year
Ma’a Nonu returns to the San Diego midfield after a two-game rest, bumping Tiaan Loots to the bench… the Legion’s other centurion, Matt Giteau, isn’t expected to debut until May
Danny Christensen is set for his Legion debut as a replacement… the former Utah scrumhalf spent last season on the books for Dallas
NOLA are missing three starting forwards due to suspension… Sean Paranihi joined Jarred Adams and OJ Noa after receiving a red card against Chicago… Adams and Noa are set to return next week for the home game against Miami
Jonah Mau’u is banged up so it’s a first start of the year for Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, who joins older brother Moni in the back row… with Paranihi also out it opens two import slots for Dorian Jones and Damian Stevens to come into the match day squad
Trent Rogers is set to make his pro debut as a replacement… the USA u23 prop was the 7th overall selection in the 2022 draft… he was on the books for the Gold last season but was instead assigned to the USA Hawks for their matches in South America and Charlotte

PREDICTION

The Legion are unbeaten since their opening round defeat to Seattle, and are well rested from their bye week. Cowan and Nonu return to add experience to a lineup that is far closer to full strength than their guests. NOLA fell away in the second half against Chicago and with so many key players absent, particularly up front, will be hard-pressed to keep the pace. San Diego are clear favorites.

LINEUPS

SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Faka’osi Pifeleti, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Darcy Breen, 4 Jay Tuivaiti, 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Connor Tupai, 10 Lincoln McClutchie, 11 Ryan James, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Filimoni Waqainabete, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Marcel Brache

Replacements: 16 Chris Mickelson, 17 Nathan Sylvia, 18 Oliver Kane, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Cyrille Cama, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Tiaan Loots, 23 Chris Mattina

NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Augusto Böhme, 3 James Irey, 4 Callum Botchar, 5 William Waguespack, 6 Malcolm May, 7 Moni Tonga’uiha (capt.), 8 Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, 9 Luke Campbell, 10 Dorian Jones, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Rodney Iona, 13 JP du Plessis, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Dougie Fife

Replacements: 16 Pat O’Toole, 17 Sam Klimkowski, 18 Trent Rogers, 19 Maciu Koroi, 20 Ale Lopeti, 21 Damien Stevens, 22 Reece Botha, 23 Ross Depperschmidt

MATCH INFO

Date: Sunday, April 14
Venue: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 13:00 local (15:00 Central, 16:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 63°F (17°C), wind W 8-12mph (13-19km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox 5 San Diego, YurView Louisiana, The Rugby Network