
Utah Warriors Not Looking Past Austin Gilgronis
Austin, Texas – The Utah Warriors have some modest momentum on their side after coming off their first victory of the season last weekend against the New England Free Jacks winning 39-33.
After a thrilling, comeback win in Las Vegas the Warriors will look to continue to build on the positives that came from their victory. With a more balanced offensive attack, when in comparison to the match against Rugby ATL, the Warriors proved that small changes can be implemented and make a large impact.
Head coach Chris Latham, while pleased with the result, knows that improvements can always be made.
“This week’s focus is to simply improve on last week’s performance” Latham explained. “We created a lot of opportunities which allowed us to dominate field position, but our execution at times let us down which didn’t allow us to capitalize on that dominance.”
The team for this weekend’s match largely remains unchanged. Tyler Fisher will start at outside center, with Calvin Whiting moving to inside center and James Vaifale replacing Fetu’u Vainikolo at Wing. Two new additions to the reserves will be Jared Whippy in the 22 jersey. Local Taylorsville rugby product Dom Toluono will make his Warriors’ debut in the 23 jersey.
“Dom is the reason I love coaching, and one of the main reasons I came to the USA. He is one of the young kids we have here at the club that are the future of the club and potentially the future of USA rugby.” Latham said in regards to Toluono. ”His natural ability along with his great attitude is the reason he has been given this opportunity this week. He has a fantastic attitude when it comes to wanting to learn. He asks a lot of questions and is very open to new things and change.”
The Austin Gilgroni’s are 0-2 on the season with their most recent defeat being at the hands of Rugby United New York (RUNY) by the score of 49-31. The Gilgroni’s will be bolstered this weekend with two former All Blacks joining the squad with Jamie MacKintosh and Frank Halai in the Austin game-day 23-man roster.
The Warriors and the Gilgronis kick-off the match at 6pm MST at Bold Stadium at Circuit of Americas in Austin, TX.
For more information on the Warriors and Major League Rugby visit www.WarriorsRugby.com. Be sure to buy your home opener tickets for March 13th at www.WarriorsRugby.com/tickets/.
UTAH WARRIORS TO FACE AUSTIN GILGRONIS
- Franco Van Den Berg
- Ratu Veremalua Vugakoto
- Angus MacLellan
- John Cullen
- Matt Jensen
- Bailey Wilson
- Thomas Tu’avao
- Jurie Van Vuuren
- Dwayne Polataivao (C)
- Hagen Schulte
- James Vaifale
- Calvin Whiting
- Tyler Fisher
- Gannon Moore
- Robbie Povey
RESERVES
16. Ricky Tu’ihalangingie
17. Huluholo Mo’ungaloa
18. Kalolo Tuiloma
19. Puna Vuli
20 Saia ‘Uhila
21. Michael Baska
22. Jared Whippy
23. Dom Toluono
MATCH: UTAH WARRIORS vs. AUSTIN GILGRONIS
Date: February 22, 2020
Time: 6:00 PM MST
Stadium/City: Bold Stadium, Austin, TX
Expected Weather: Partly Cloudy 63°
Viewing/Broadcast Options: KMYU (local), ESPN+, MLR Facebook Live (International)
Recent Posts
How a strong finish to 2022 has Greg Cooper and the Warriors poised for a big 2023 Season
HERRIMAN — The Utah Warriors finished up the 2022 season playing as
Warrior Built Part Two: Warriors Nation continues to set the standard in the MLR
Herriman, UT – In the Utah Warriors first home game on March
How a childhood battle with cancer helped shape Warriors’ Head Coach Greg Cooper
HERRIMAN — Only aged 15 at the time, new Utah Warriors coach
Warrior Built Part One: Success of Major League Rugby
Herriman, UT–Major League Rugby (MLR) successfully completed its fifth anniversary season with
Why Greg Cooper chose Utah
HERRIMAN — Given his tremendous coaching resume, Greg Cooper could have coached
News Tags
Archives
- August 2022 (4)
- July 2022 (7)
- June 2022 (2)
- May 2022 (10)
- April 2022 (13)
- March 2022 (16)
- February 2022 (13)
- January 2022 (11)
- December 2021 (2)
- November 2021 (5)
- October 2021 (4)
- September 2021 (3)
- August 2021 (9)
- July 2021 (18)
- June 2021 (30)
- May 2021 (23)
- April 2021 (15)
- March 2021 (13)
- February 2021 (3)
- January 2021 (2)
- December 2020 (3)
- November 2020 (12)
- October 2020 (13)
- September 2020 (5)
- August 2020 (8)
- July 2020 (1)
- June 2020 (4)
- April 2020 (3)
- March 2020 (7)
- February 2020 (13)
- January 2020 (3)
- December 2019 (3)
- November 2019 (7)
- October 2019 (8)
- September 2019 (1)
- August 2019 (1)
- July 2019 (1)
- June 2019 (3)
- May 2019 (10)
- April 2019 (12)
- March 2019 (5)
- February 2019 (6)
- January 2019 (4)
- December 2018 (3)
- September 2018 (1)
- August 2018 (1)
- June 2018 (3)
- May 2018 (8)
- April 2018 (5)
- March 2018 (6)
- February 2018 (6)
- January 2018 (3)
- December 2017 (8)
- November 2017 (5)
- October 2017 (2)
- August 2017 (2)
- July 2017 (1)