Returning starters, new starters look to bolster Warriors vs. Seattle

HERRIMAN — Saia ‘Uhila has seen a lot in his years playing for the Utah Warriors, but perhaps nothing as frustrating as what’s unfolded over the past month of the current season.

And all he’s been able to do is watch, which has perhaps compounded the frustration.

‘Uhila went down with injury during the Warriors’ last win versus the Los Angeles Giltinis clear back on March 13. Appearing poised to see a lot of improvements following the win, things have gone almost completely south for Utah since, with four straight losses leaving ‘Uhila a tad frustrated witnessing the team’s untapped potential.

Need that home crowd boost on Saturday night!

⚔️ Seattle Seawolves
📆 Saturday, April 23
🕗 8:00 PM MT
📍 Herriman, Utah
🏟️ Zions Bank Stadium
📺 KJZZ, KSL Sports and The Rugby Network
📻 ESPN 700 & ESPN 960#ForTheNation || #RiseOfRugby pic.twitter.com/IiNpVRVvcM

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) April 18, 2022

“It’s tough because you know this team has the talent and everything to win games,” ‘Uhila said. “There’s just things we’re coming up short with every game, and that’s really frustrating to watch.”

The good news is ‘Uhila is back this week as the Warriors prepare to host the Seattle Seawolves this Saturday at Zions Bank Park. It’s a prospect he is relishing, as one could well imagine.

“I’m super excited to be back,” ‘Uhila said. “I’ve been super mad not being able to be helping the boys, so yeah, it’s great to be back finally.”

On perhaps the opposite end of the spectrum is Warriors first-year player Connor Burns, who just joined the team over this past offseason while taking on an increasingly bigger role within the team. Burns hails from England, but attended school in Missouri before joining the Warriors this past October.

“I’ve received the opportunity, I took it and I’ve enjoyed everything since,” Burns said. “I’m completely new here in Utah and it’s been awesome. I’ve loved everything about it.”

Burns has been playing the backfield alongside standouts like Caleb Makene, Cliven Loubser, and Mikey Te’o, all of whom he’s taken copious notes from to improve his own development.

“Learning from Mikey has been unreal, but everyone has been really great in helping me improve every week I’ve been here,” Burns said. “The development of my game — I really couldn’t ask for anything more since I’ve been here and I’m excited to keep improving every week.”

So we tested NFL Draft Prospect Britain Covey on his MLR knowledge… 😆@brit_covey2 | #ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/XQnXhboAkG

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) April 21, 2022

The Warriors need continued improvement from everyone in order to end their four-game losing streak this Saturday against the Seawolves. Doing as much won’t be easy against their familiar Western conference rival, as the players learned during the second week of the season, dropping a tough 20-17 decision on the road in Seattle.

The good news is the expected return of several injured players like Loubser, Tomasi Tonga and the aforementioned Saia. As always, the focus will be necessarily be on cutting down turnovers and everything else that has plagued the Warriors over the past month of the season.

“Our penalty count has been too high and we just have to quit stabbing ourselves in the foot,” Burns said. “It’s a rivalry with Seattle and we’re working hard to turn things around and to put on a good show for our fans.”

“We have nothing to lose,” ‘Uhila added. “We just have to tighten up everything and hope for a win this week and I’m certain we can do it. We just need to trust in each other and make sure everyone gets their job done.”

UTAH WARRIORS VS. SEATTLE SEAWOLVES

Date: Saturday, April 23
Time: 8:00 PM MDT
Where: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Broadcast: KJZZ, The Rugby Network
Radio: ESPN 700 and ESPN 960