Warriors put together complete game, take down Austin

HERRIMAN — Teasing great and consistent play became a thing of the past on Saturday for the Utah Warriors, as they steamrolled the league-leading Austin Gilgronis 22-8.

Inspired effort led to stifling defensive pressure, holding the Gilgronis a full 68 minutes without a try and scoreless for the game’s final 50 minutes. The game also featured the return of standouts Paul Lasike and Niall Saunders, boosting the overall effort considerably.

“We really put out a performance we can be proud of out there,” said Warriors fullback Caleb Makene. “Things that weren’t coming together sort of came together and I’m pretty stoked for the boys and the performance overall.”

Utah (4-10) saved its best for last on Saturday, dominating possession and momentum for almost the entirety of the second half, leaving Austin (10-4) uncharacteristically frustrated and punchless.

The eight points yielded was the second-fewest in team history, and considering it came against a team like Austin had players and coaches beaming at the conclusion.

For forward Chad Gough, the key was simple, “Hitting them low and hitting them hard was the key to this defensive performance,” he said while crediting defensive assistant coach Robbie Abel.

The defense took a hit early on with Austin scoring its first and only try of the evening in the game’s 12th minute for a 5-0 lead after a failed conversion kick. Indeed Austin dominated possession for the game’s first 25 minutes despite being issued a yellow card in the 15th minute.

He’s back, baby!

UT: 17 | AUS: 8#ForTheNation pic.twitter.com/VERsErRlgf

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) May 22, 2022

But that all swung dramatically the other direction starting with Utah scrum half Zion Going crossing the try line in the game’s 27th minute for a 7-5 lead after the successful conversion kick by Calvin Whiting.

The Gilgronis made good on a penalty kick late in the first half to take an 8-7 lead into the break.

But whatever momentum Austin gained by taking the lead late in the first half was disrupted considerably from the outset of the second.

Whiting converted a penalty kick for a 10-8 lead in the 43rd minute which gave way to several impressive defensive stands before things swung considerably Utah’s way after several key substitutions were made. Leading the way off the bench were both Niall Saunders and Paul Lasike who combined for a try in the 65th minute, giving the home team a 17-8 lead.

The try came after a scrum deep in Austin territory with Saunders assisting a crashing Lasike for the score.

“It’s awesome having those boys coming off the bench,” Makene said. “They have so much experience. So to be able to close out a game and have those boys come on — I think it really lifts the confidence and you could see that in the last 20 (minutes.)”

Saunders then crossed the try line himself in the 72nd minute, using his superior speed and savvy to get past an unsuspecting Gilgronis defense for a 22-8 lead, which proved to be the final.

DUBS UP ⬆️ #ForTheNation // #RiseOfRugby pic.twitter.com/mBMlk8UKqw

— Utah Warriors Rugby (@utwarriorsrugby) May 22, 2022

While the win came too late for the Warriors, with regards to positioning itself for postseason play, players and coaches showed a lot of pride and resilience on Saturday, all factors considered.

“We knew we were a good team from the beginning, and we’re finally seeing the results we want,” Gough said. “We’re getting that confidence. Sadly it’s a little too late, but we have to finish off the season strong and I think we’re going to do that.”

Two games remain on the season for the Warriors, with a home game versus defending MLR champion Los Angeles Giltinis next on the slate next Saturday.

Brandon Gurney is the Utah Warriors Team Reporter. With nearly two decades of experience covering BYU Football in print and on radio, Gurney brings a wealth of experience to the Utah Warriors beat. You can read all of Gurney’s stories on the Utah Warriors throughout the 2022 Season at warriorsrugby.com