NEWS

Round Four Preview

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER DIEGEL FOR THE RUGBY NETWORK | Photo by brian jackson

The LA Giltinis and NOLA Gold were each surpassed in the standings as they stood idly by amidst their respective bye weeks. While there was plenty of shakeup after last week’s results, wins could put each right back on top of their conferences.

Let’s take a look ahead at a slate of games that features some pivotal east-west clashes, and the potential for more movement in the standings.

 LA Giltinis at Toronto Arrows

Saturday at 1:30 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

The Giltinis enjoyed a quiet bye week after breezing through its first two matches by a combined total of 99-53, good for the league’s best point differential. Toronto, a preseason favorite coming into the season, got back on track with a 40-19 win over Old Glory DC last week.

What’s at Stake:LA needs a win to get back on top of the league standings after Utah took over during the bye. Toronto got back into the thick of things in the Eastern Conference after a very slow start to the season. A loss could put the Canadians back toward the bottom of the pack, a win from the middle to the top.

Bold Prediction: Expect fireworks between two teams that put up nearly 100 points combined in their last games. LA wins the shootout, 52-40.

Austin Gilgronis at NOLA Gold

Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

Austin has played well in all three games and notched a huge win last week to get in the thick of the Western Conference race. NOLA has a draw and impressive win in two games played. It returns from its bye with a tough task at hand, and has to do it without fly half Robbie Coleman. Coleman’s out for the year after sustaining a torn ACL.

What’s at Stake: NOLA was supplanted at the top of the standings during its bye. A win could put the Gold right back on top of the Eastern Conference, depending on how Atlanta’s match plays out. Austin’s shutout win over Houston put it in the mix, third in the West. It’s easy to see the win spark momentum for this well-balanced side.

Bold Prediction: Against most other teams, I’d expect Austin to build on last week’s win and go streaking. NOLA might need time to gel coming off a bye with a new 10. I think a second half surge seals it for the Gold, 27-24.

San Diego Legion at Houston Sabercats

Saturday at 8 p.m. ET | Watch on FS2

Overseas fans can watch on The Rugby Network

San Diego is back to its home training grounds after beginning its season in Las Vegas and is likely to debut its star offseason addition Chris Robshaw. Houston is coming off a rough stretch with back-to-back shutout losses, though did make two player acquisitions. Athletic back Nick Boyer comes over from LA, while forward Will Crawford gets the call-up from Houston’s Academy team.

What’s at Stake: San Diego needs a win to keep pace after coming into the season as a preseason favorite out west. Houston has to snap out of its funk or could see itself at the bottom of the league standings by week’s end.

Bold Prediction: San Diego has looked disjointed thus far, but it’s hard to pick the Sabercats right now after two uninspired performances. San Diego picks up the win, 24-10.

Seattle Seawolves at Utah Warriors

Saturday at 9:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

Seattle spent its bye week bolstering its roster after an 0-2 start. Samu Manoa is the highlight and should be cleared to debut. He was signed ahead of the off week but not on the roster versus LA. It figures to be all systems go for the USA Rugby legend this time around. Utah meanwhile scratched out a bonus point in its first loss of the season to take control of the league standings.

What’s at Stake: Seattle needs a win to get out of the league’s basement (though to be fair it’s played one game less than most of the rest of the league). Utah has proven it’s not a team to be taken lightly; a bonus point win keeps it on top of the league.

Bold Prediction: I think it takes Seattle’s new acquisitions a little more time to gel. Utah wins a tight one, 32-27.

Rugby United New York at Rugby ATL

Sunday at 3 p.m. ET | Watch on CBS Sports Network

Overseas fans can watch on The Rugby Network

After a 1-1 start to the season, New York spent its bye week getting familiar with some old and new faces. Previously-announced signees Nick Civetta, Luke Hume, and Kyle Sumsion are now available for roster selection. Rugby ATL shot to the top of the East with an impressive win over San Diego and looks to avenge its narrow 22-19 defeat from a year ago.

What’s at Stake: This match could determine who sits in first place at the quarter poll in the crowded Eastern Conference. A win could be the difference between first and last place for New York, depending on how things shake out in the other matches. Atlanta took over first, but NOLA Gold is back off its bye and breathing down their necks.

Bold Prediction: Atlanta was fired up by its home crowd a week ago and returns to Life University for this game. The Georgia boys hold serve and have their vengeance, 29-26.