MLR 2024: Utah Warriors vs San Diego Legion

Two old rivals will collide for the 11th time when Utah hosts San Diego at Zions Bank Stadium on Saturday night. The Warriors have lost three in a row and are in desperate need of a win as they chase the final playoff spot in the Western Conference. Meanwhile the Legion are looking for payback after their first-ever loss at Snapdragon Stadium at the hands of Utah in April.

CURRENT STANDINGS

4-7-0 (L3) West 5th

7-4-0 (W1) West 3rd

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

8 Thomas Tu’avao replaces Onehunga Havili
9 Zion Going replaces Kieran McClea
13 Alesana Pohla replaces Mika Kruse
14 Michael Manson replaces Joe Mano (injury)

1 Djustice Sears-Duru replaces Payton Telea-Ilalio
2 Chris Mickelson replaces Hugh Roach
3 Luke Green replaces Darcy Breen
8 Tevita Tamielau replaces Tupou Afungia
12 Ma’a Nonu replaces Ethan Grayson (No13 vs LA)
15 Marcel Brache replaces Alex Horan

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(6) – Mullen, Jensen, Tu’avao, Lasike, MacLellan, Wilson (USA)

(10) – Sears-Duru (Canada), Peterson, Tameilau, James, Brache, Helu, Ryan (USA), Cowan (Scotland), Giteau (Australia), Nonu (New Zealand)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Dylan Nel (FL/N8), Spencer Jones (CE), Mika Kruse (CE/WI), Joe Mano (WI)

– Faka’osi Pifeleti (LH), Isaac Ross (LO), Tupou Afungia (FL/N8)

NOTES

Utah continue to be without star loose forward Dylan Nel, who is serving the second week of his five-game suspension… John DuPree gets another start in the No7 shirt
the Warriors have been given a boost in the backline this week with both Alesana Pohla and Michael Manson returning from injury… though it comes at the expense of Mika Kruse and Joe Mano… Isaia Kruse retains his spot on the wing with Jesse Hamilton set for his first appearance since March
Canadian international Djustice Sears-Duru gets his first start of the season for San Diego after three straight games off the bench… he scored the game-winning try against Dallas a month ago
Ma’a Nonu returns to the Legion midfield after missing the game against LA… he joins Matt Giteau in the backline with vice-captain Marcel Brache named at fullback
Filimoni Waqainabete is in line for his first appearance since the season opener against Seattle… the Fijian center or wing was a late scratch for the game against NOLA in mid-April

PREDICTION

Neither team have set the world alight this season but San Diego have done a better job at finishing games. The Warriors have slumped badly but might have more energy after the bye week and the return of Manson is significant. On paper the Legion have a more impactful bench, however, which tips the scales in their favor. San Diego are favorites on the road.

LINEUPS

UTAH WARRIORS
1 Fatongia Paea, 2 Phil Bradford, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Saia Uhila, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Frank Lochore, 7 John DuPree, 8 Thomas Tu’avao, 9 Zion Going, 10 Joel Hodgson (capt), 11 Isaia Kruse, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Alesana Pohla, 14 Michael Manson, 15 Caleb Makene

Replacements: 16 Nic Souchon, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Bailey Wilson, 20 Kalisi Moli, 21 Kieran McClea, 22 Lopeti Aisea, 23 Jesse Hamilton

SAN DIEGO LEGION
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Chris Mickelson, 3 Luke Green, 4 Jay Tuivaiti, 5 Greg Peterson, 6 Christian Poidevin, 7 Blair Cowan (capt.), 8 Tevita Tameilau, 9 Connor Tupai, 10 Matt Giteau, 11 Ryan James, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 13 Tiaan Loots, 14 Tomas Aoake, 15 Marcel Brache

Replacements: 16 Cyrille Cama, 17 Payton Telea-Ilalio, 18 Darcy Breen, 19 Vili Helu, 20 Paddy Ryan, 21 Danny Christensen, 22 Lincoln McClutchie, 23 Filimoni Waqainabete

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, June 1
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 20:00 local (19:00 Pacific, 22:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: cloudy, 68°F (20°C), wind NW 5-7mph (8-11km/h)
Broadcasts: KMYU, KSL Sports, KUSI, The Rugby Network