Selects dominate Legacy Rugby Academy 76-10

Herriman, Utah — In the final match of the Fall 2020 Selects Series, the Warriors Selects Development League caps off a three-game win streak with a dominating victory against Legacy Rugby Academy (LRA) on their home turf.

In their last showing of the series, the Selects put up an impressive 76-10 against Michigan’s LRA to end their fall series on a high note. 

“First off, thank you to Legacy for coming,” said Brandon Sparks, Utah Warriors Director of Rugby. “It’s awesome to have an organization that’s near and dear to my heart come out and support the Selects, and also for the Utah Warriors, the organization that I’m a part of now, to support Legacy Rugby on their journey of development.”

The Selects quickly put points onto the board to start the match. Hooker Mike Payne scored the first two tries for the Selects with back to back mauls, bringing the score to 12-0 just nine minutes into the match. 

Not long after, winger Bobby Tu’avao scored his first of three tries of the night, capitalizing on a breakout run by James Vaifale, and followed closely by a try from Elijah Hayes. Flanker Thomas Tu’avao put up a strong run to assist Peter Maikolo in adding another 5 to the board at the 18th minute of the match, bringing the score to 33-0. Legacy was able to sneak in their own try at the 31-minute mark, but another try scored by Ty Goss put the match at 40-5 going into halftime.

The dominating performance continued as the Warriors took the pitch for the second half, with Hayes quickly scoring his second try of the day. The pace of the second half mirrored the first, with the Selects putting up an impressive five more tries and ending the match 76-10.

“[This match] was a great way to end the Selects season,” Sparks said. “We’re really looking forward to getting out into the community, seeing more rugby players and bringing them into the fold of the Utah Warrior pathway.”

To rewatch the match, along with the Warriors 2021 MLR roster announcement show, visit the Warriors official Facebook page. For more information about the upcoming 2021 season, visit our official website, www.warriorsrugby.com, and follow our social media channels.

SCORING SUMMARY: Selects vs. Legacy Rugby Academy (Nov. 21, 2020)

3’ Mike Payne 5, 2 (Selects)

9’ Mike Payne 5 (Selects)

13’ Bobby Tu’avao 5, 2 (Selects)

15’ Elijah Hayes 5, 2 (Selects)

18’ Peter Maikolo 5, 2 (Selects)

31’ Legacy 5 

37’ Ty Goss 5, 2 (Selects)

Halftime Score: Selects — 40 Legacy Rugby — 5

45’ Elijah Hayes 5, 2 (Selects)

49’ James Mocke 5, 2 (Selects)

59’ Jake Klinglesmith 5, 2 (Selects)

66’ Bobby Tu’avao 5 (Selects)

71’ Legacy 5

75’ Bobby Tu’avao 5 (Selects)

79’ Naua Kaloni 5 (Selects)

Final Score: Selects — 76 MPD — 10

Utah Warriors Selects Roster

1 Dawson Ruegger

2 Mike Payne

3 Elijah Hayes

4 David Perez

5 Ty Goss

6 Nicholas Andiarena

7 Thomas Tu’avao

8 James Mocke

9 Dylan James

10 Danny Giannascoli

11 Bobby Tu’avao

12 James Vaifale

13 Peter Makalio

14 Jacob Klingelsmith

15 Jared Leuta-Markey

16 Sesili Tauki’uvea

17 Alex Tucci

18 Zephir Lambert

19 Kobe McKinney

20 Nuaua Kaloni

21 Cumorah Saulala

22 Zerin Skelton

23 Tomasi Tonga

Coaches: Brandon Sparks (Dir. of Rugby), Vaha Esikia (Backs/Attack), Derek Smith (Forwards/Defense)