Defensive Battle Waged in Seattle
February 9, 2022 - Major League Rugby (MLR)
Toronto Arrows News Release
The Toronto Arrows fell victim to the Seattle Seawolves' rigid defensive efforts on Sunday evening, coming up on the wrong side of a 21-8 result in their season opener at Starfire Stadium.
Seattle began the game on the front foot, enjoying the bulk of possession and territory in the early stages of the match, and were rewarded for their attacking play with a pair of penalty goals from AJ Alatimu to jump out to a 6-0 lead.
The Arrows responded with a goal from Will Kelly, slotted in front of the uprights, to halve the home side's lead. The visitors almost added a try in quick succession, with debutant Ueta Tufuga racing down the touchline with his sights set on the in-goal area, but the Kiwi was pushed out of bounds just ahead of the try line.
Seattle's forwards went to work shortly thereafter, grinding the ball towards the Toronto goal line and sending waves at the Arrows defensive line. The ball was eventually spun wide to Duncan Matthews, who weaved through to score. Alatimu added the extras to put the hosts ahead by 10.
The Arrows wasted little time in mounting a counter-volley, marching back down the pitch after winning a scrum penalty. Deep in Seattle's end, the ball went wide and Tufuga's pass was deftly held by Mitch Richardson, with the wing swooping down the touchline to score in the left corner. Kelly's kick from the sideline was pushed narrowly wide.
Seattle looked to have scored on the final play of the opening half, but the TMO - a new fixture of the 2022 MLR season - ruled that the Seawolves' late lineout drive did not result in a try, keeping the halftime score at 13-8 in favour of the hosts.
Starting the second frame much like the first, the Seawolves were first on the scoreboard following the restart, as Alatimu notched his third penalty goal early in the half to make it a two-score game.
Cold, slippery conditions rendered it difficult for the Arrows' attack to sustain fluidity throughout the latter 40 minutes. When momentum seemed to turn in Toronto's favour late in the frame, an errant pass deep in Seattle territory was stolen by Ross Neal, and the winger scampered the full 80 metres for the late insurance marker.
Seven players made their Arrows debut in Week 1, with Kyle Baillie, Conor McCann, Isaac Salmon and Tufuga starting and Lolani Faleiva, James O'Neill and Mitch Voralek coming off the bench.
Toronto enters Week 2 of the 2022 season with a 'home' clash against the Los Angeles Giltinis (0-1; 0 points) on Friday, February 11 on Vancouver Island.
The iconic game - the first regular season Major League Rugby match to be played in British Columbia - will be played Starlight Stadium in Langford, B.C., and will kick off at 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET.
Toronto Arrows Stat Leaders:
Ball Carries: Ueta Tufuga - 14
Tackles Made: Kyle Baillie - 19
Offloads: Gaston Mieres, Ueta Tufuga - 3
Seattle Seawolves Stat Leaders:
Ball Carries: Riekert Hattingh - 15
Tackles Made: Dan Kriel, Nakai Penny - 20
Offloads: Ross Neil - 3
Toronto Arrows Score Report:
Tries: Mitch Richardson (35)
Penalty Goals: Will Kelly (15)
Seattle Seawolves Score Report:
Tries: Duncan Matthews (29), Ross Neal (64)
Conversions: AJ Alatimu (30)
Penalty Goals: AJ Alatimu 3 (4, 11, 48)
Toronto Arrows Lineup vs. Seattle Seawolves:
Cole Keith
Andrew Quattrin
Isaac Salmon
Kyle Baillie
Mike Sheppard (C)
Tomy de la Vega
Lucas Rumball
Ronan Foley
Ross Braude
Will Kelly
Gaston Mieres
Spencer Jones
Ueta Tufuga
Mitch Richardson
Conor McCann
Jack McRogers
Lolani Faleiva
Tyler Rowland
Paul Ciulini
Mason Flesch
James O'Neill
Andrew Ferguson
Mitch Voralek
Major League Rugby Stories from February 9, 2022
- Defensive Battle Waged in Seattle - Toronto Arrows
- Former All Blacks star Carlos Spencer joins NOLA staff - NOLA Gold
- Warriors Look to Rebound with a Quick Turnaround in Seattle - Utah Warriors
- Ruck & Roll: LeSage Welcomes Canada Game for LA - LA Giltinis
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