
Warriors Drop Pre-Season Tilt to Rugby ATL
Herriman, UT–The Utah Warriors squared off against Major League Rugby (MLR) Eastern Conference foe Rugby ATL this afternoon in a pre-season tilt with the Rattlers edging the Warriors 15-13.
“For a pre-season game this is exactly what we needed,” said Warriors Interim Head Coach Shawn Pittman, “Although we didn’t get the win, we saw some good rugby and learned some good lessons by facing what will likely be one of the MLR’s top teams. So all in all, I’m happy now knowing what things we need to tighten up. and improve before the season starts.”

The battle started pretty intensely with ATL putting some early pressure on the Warriors’ defensive line deep in the home team’s half. The Warriors would hold however and rookie flyhalf Danny Giannascoli would clear the Warriors’ defensive pressure after making an 80-meter net kick.
With the change in field position, the Warriors’ set-piece would garner the reward with the Utah scrum winning a penalty try in 14th minute.
But a series of first-half untimely turnovers and other miscues deep inside the ATL defensive half by the Warriors attack would take away from any possible momentum and pressure that had been built up.
In the end, both sides would battle deep inside the other’s half but the lone score came just at halftime with Giannascoli slotting a 30-meter penalty goal to edge the Warriors further ahead 10-0 at the break.
The second half saw ATL find some scoring opportunities with the wind now at their back scoring tries in the 54th and 66th minutes respectively. The former try’s conversion was blocked however by the Warriors’ fullback Mikey Te’o giving ATL a net of 12 points.
Another second-half penalty goal by Giannascoli kept the Warriors ahead 13-12 entering the final 10 minutes.
A late penalty goal from ATL in the 72nd would eventually close out the scoring despite the Warriors’ late charge deep inside their opponent’s half just before the full-time whistle.
The final score leaning in favor of Rugby ATL 15-13.
“We had our chances I’d say,” said assistant coach Shaun Davies, “But we just couldn’t close them out when we did. But that’s why we have these games to knock off the rust and get the things fixed that need fixing before the season begins. Very excited about the work we have ahead.”
The Warriors now turn their full attention to the start of the 2021 MLR season where they will take on Western Conference rival Austin Gilgronis at Bold Stadium in Austin, TX on March 20th at 6pm MT.
Warriors Nation can catch all the March 20th action on KSLSports.com or the KSL TV App.
The Warriors will kick the 2021 MLR home schedule on March 27th at 7pm MT as they host Eastern Conference foe the Toronto Arrows. Currently tickets are sold out for this season-opener due to limited seating capacity, but fans can get on the Warriors “Can’t Wait List” by visiting www.WarriorsRugby.com.
GAME RECAP
Utah vs. Rugby ATL
Zions Bank Stadium
1pm MT Kickoff
March 6, 2021
WARRIORS TEAM VS. RUGBY ATL
- Franco Van Den Berg (Alex Tucci @ 74′)
- Tuvere Vugakoto
- Paul Mullen (Angus MacClellan @ 60′)
- Matt Jensen (James Mocke @ 63′)
- Aston Fortuin
- Thomas Tu’avao
- Bailey Wilson
- Lance Williams (Mike Geiselman @ 65′)
- Michael Baska (Fraser Hurst @ 65′)
- Danny Giannascoli (Hagen Schulte @ 65′)
- Joe Mano
- Calvin Whiting
- Tyler Fisher
- Josh Whippy
- Mikey Te’o
SCORING
- Utah Penalty Try: 14′ (7)
- Utah Penalty Goal: 40′ (Giannascoli 3)
- HALFTIME: Warriors 10 Rugby ATL 0
- ATL Try: 54′ (5, no conv.)
- Utah Penalty Goal: 60′ (Giannascoli 3)
- ATL Try: 66′ (5/2)
- ATL Penalty Goal: 72′ (3)
- FINAL SCORE: Warriors 12 Rugby ATL 15
Recent Posts
Warriors fall to NOLA Gold on the road
NEW ORLEANS — A lack of overall aggression and too many missed
Hodgson talks coming to Utah and facing NOLA
HERRIMAN, Utah — Much like most foreign national players, Joel Hodgson grew
W Nation: Ep 81 | Out of the Bye Week, Into New Orleans
On this week's episode of W Nation, Jarom Jordan and Banksy recap
W Nation: Ep 80 | Utah Spoils Chicago’s Home Opener
This week on W Nation, Bansky recaps the thrilling 14-10 win over
Warriors take down the Hounds in Week 3
CHICAGO — Utah Warrior players and coaches left the field on Sunday
News Tags
Archives
- March 2023 (7)
- February 2023 (8)
- January 2023 (4)
- December 2022 (3)
- November 2022 (5)
- October 2022 (6)
- September 2022 (7)
- August 2022 (8)
- 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)