WARRIORS TAKE ON AUSTIN IN BATTLE FOR SECOND

Herriman, UT — The Utah Warriors are back at home this week as they host the Austin Gilgronis in a matchup between the second and third-place teams in MLR’s Western Division.

Both Austin and Utah enter the Week 11 matchup with 26 table points, however the Gilgronis’ record gives Austin the tiebreaker in the standings.

The Gilgronis, who own a 5-4 record, are led by Mack Mason. The Austin fly-half currently sits in sixth place among Major League Rugby’s leading points scorers and fourth in penalty goals scored.

“Austin has the top ranked defense in the league and they bring a lot of line speed which will force us to be extra accurate in our attack on offense,” said Utah Assistant Coach Shaun Davies. “They are a team that gets a lot of energy from the defensive side of the ball so the more we can play with momentum on attack we can starve them of that energy.”

The Warriors, who come into the weekend with a 4-5 record, look to end their two-game losing skid. Utah, who defeated the Gilgronis 30-28 in a Week One matchup in Austin, hope Calvin Whiting can help lead the charge for the Warrior offense with MLR’s fourth leading point scorer, Hagen Schulte, sidelined with injury.

“Attack wise, I am really excited to see how Calvin goes at 10,” said Davies. “He brings a lot of physicality and is a massive attacking threat on offense. It will be interesting to see how he does in leading the attack and coaching the guys around the field, but I have full faith in him doing a good job in Hagen’s place.”

While the Warriors will be without Schulte due to injury, Davies hopes that another key part of the Warriors roster can continue to take strides forward as they return to the field.

“Tyler Fisher coming back from injury and into the starting team adds a lot to the attack,” said Davies. “Tyler is such a threat with ball-in-hand that he often opens up space for the guys around him.”

The matchup between Utah and Austin looks to be one of the more tightly contested games of the season, as the winner will have a leg up on the competition with both teams jockeying for the second, and final playoff spot in the West.

“This game will have a playoff feel to it with the team that wins tomorrow gaining momentum as we head into the back half of the season,” said Davies. “I expect a physical battle between two very talented teams. Austin has picked a big team that will try to negate our physicality so we will have to play smart in order to find success.”

Both teams will be wearing special, limited edition Military Appreciation themed jerseys as Major League Rugby honors military members over Memorial Day Weekend.

“It’s going to be a cool experience wearing our Military Appreciation jerseys to honor the men and women who risk their lives for our country and our freedom,” said Davies. “And it will be even better knowing that these jerseys will be auctioned off and the proceeds going to a group that helps veterans.”

Fans can bid on these game-worn jerseys with proceeds donated to Continue Mission and the Utah Warriors Rugby Foundation. To bid on a jersey visit web.dashauction.io or download the Dash Auction App.

UTAH WARRIORS VS. AUSTIN GILGRONIS

Date: May 29, 2021
Time: 7:00 p.m. MDT
Where: Zions Bank Stadium (Herriman, UT)
Broadcast: FS2 and The Rugby Network
Radio: ESPN 700 App and ESPN 960 AM + App

STARTING LINEUP

1 Franco van den Berg
2 Tuvere Vugakoto
3 Angus MacLellan
4 Aston Fortuin
5 Matt Jensen
6 Lance Williams
7 Bailey Wilson
8 Jurie Van Vuuren
9 Michael Baska
10 Calvin Whiting
11 Josh Whippy
12 Derek Elingston
13 Tyler Fisher
14 Mika Kruse
15 Mikey Te’o
16 Chad Gough
17 Alex Tucci
18 Paul Mullen
19 Saia ‘Uhila
20 Mike Gieselman
21 Fraser Hurst
22 Tonata Lauti
23 James Vaifale

MATCH PROGRAM