Two teams looking to get back on track will collide in California on Sunday evening. Los Angeles is the next port of call for the Legion, who fell well short against the Hounds in Chicago last weekend. At the same time a battered and bruised Seawolves side crashed to defeat against Anthem in Charlotte.
| IN | OUT | |
| 2 | Ale Lopeti | Joe Taufete’e |
| 4 | Jurie van Vuuren | Keni Nasoqeqe |
| 8 | Ben Houston | Christian Poidevin |
| 11 | Oscar Treacy | Ryan James |
| 13 | Cassh Maluia | Cole Semu |
| 15 | Steffan Crimp | Rory van Vugt |
 |
IN | OUT |
| 11 | JP Smith | Michael Hand |
| 12 | Calvin Liulamaga | Dorian Jones |
| 15 | Duncan Matthews | Mark Bennett |
 |
PLAYER | PREVIOUS CLUB |
| 11 | Oscar Treacy | Central Washington Wildcats |
- Injured / unavailable – (Legion) Christian Poidevin, Ronan Murphy; (Seawolves) Sean McNulty, Mason Pedersen, Dorian Jones, Dan Kriel, Mark Bennett, Lauina Futi, Rufus McLean
- the Seawolves are already hurting with almost an entire backline currently sidelined, while tighthead prop Mason Pedersen is serving the second game of a three-match suspension
- Canadian international Callum Botchar is in line for his Seawolves debut… the hard-hitting lock signed on in the offseason after two seasons with NOLA Gold
- Calvin Liulamaga has been handed a first pro start after making his MLR debut off the bench in Chicago… the Collegiate All-American will line up opposite a former Central Washington teammate… Oscar Treacy will make his MLR debut for California… the Australia-born winger is tipped for Eagles honors having qualified for the USA on residency
- the Legion also have one player suspended as loose forward Ronan Murphy serves the first of his three-game ban… first choice flanker Christian Poidevin is injured
- ex-NOLA hooker Ale Lopeti makes his California club debut… Jurie van Vuuren returns from injury to make his first appearance of the season… the former Junior Springbok was a starter for LA last year
Picture-perfect conditions are on the forecast which probably isn’t ideal for Seattle. The Seawolves backline is down four starters and a slower game might have favored their beefy forward pack. While the Legion have been a mixed bag thus far, they’ll be intent on making the most of their remaining home games with early indications suggesting a very tight race for postseason spots. California are favorites at home in Los Angeles.
CALIFORNIA LEGION
1 Ma’ake Muti, 2 Ale Lopeti, 3 Tonga Kofe, 4 Keni Nasoqeqe, 5 Jason Damm (capt.), 6 Lance Williams, 7 Ed Timpson, 8 Ben Houston, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 10 Coby Miln, 11 Oscar Treacy, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Cassh Maluia, 14 Joe Mano, 15 Steffan Crimp
Replacements: 16 Joe Taufete’e, 17 Declan Leaney, 18 Justus Tavai, 19 Keni Nasoqeqe, 20 Chase Jones, 21 Cole Semu, 22 Tas Smith, 23 Ryan James
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Ignacio Péculo, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 5 Harison Mataele, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Paddy Ryan, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 André Warner, 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 JP Smith, 12 Calvin Liulamaga, 13 Divan Rossouw, 14 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 15 Duncan Matthews
Replacements: 16 Liki Chan-Tung, 17 Dewald Donald, 18 LaRome White, 19 Callum Botchar, 20 Kalisi Moli, 21 Tia’i Vavao, 22 Michael Hand, 23 Nick Boyer
Date: Sunday, April 19
Venue: Wallis Annenberg Stadium, Los Angeles
Kickoff: 17:00 local (20:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 73°F (23°C), wind SW 9-14 mph (15-22 km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+ (USA), Premier Sports (International), Kong 6 (Local), GameTV (YouTube)
Referee: Derek Summers (USA)
Assistants: Marquise Goodwin (USA) & Will Nelson (USA)
TMO: n/a
HEAD-TO-HEAD (0) – n/a