San Diego Legion Vault to the Summit with Complete Team Performance; Brock Staller Headlines SeaWolves' Attack

February 25, 2019 - Major League Rugby (MLR) News Release

Salt Lake City, UT; February 25, 2019: San Diego Legion scored more and conceded fewer than any other side this week in their 45-17 win over Austin Elite Rugby, with their complete team performance earning them Week 5 Team of the Week. Barnstorming Brock Staller of the Seattle Seawolves was too much for the RUNY defense, breaking free for two tries and totaling 18 points to win Player of the Week.

Week 5 Player of the Week Brock Staller of the Seattle Seawolves.

The San Diego Legion win over Austin Elite Rugby marks a fourth straight victory, which vaults them to the top of the league standings with 18 points. The Legion's staunch defense continues to be the team's calling card, limiting Austin to 17 points and repeatedly pressuring the opposition into offensive penalties. San Diego has conceded just five tries total in the last four matches. Complementing their defensive prowess was a six-try offensive masterclass, four tries coming before halftime. After being held to two tries in each of their previous four games, the San Diego set piece controlled possession and kept the whole team involved in the attack, with six different players scoring tries. The Legion's 45 points are the most points scored by a team this season.

Brock Staller's speed swung a close, competitive match in the Seattle Seawolves' favor over 20 crucial minutes. The 26-year-old wing's first try came opportunistically, as he collected a fumble and ran 70 meters to close out the half, giving the Seawolves a 26-14 advantage. In the 56th minute, Staller outstripped the RUNY defense in pursuit of a Ben Cima kick and touched down for the try, taking the score to 33-14. In addition to his two tries, Staller went 4 for 5 from the kicking tee.

MLR's First XV of Week 5:

Loosehead Prop (No. 1), Rob Brouwer, Toronto Arrows

Hooker (No. 2), Chad Gough, Glendale Raptors

Tighthead Prop (No. 3), Paddy Ryan, San Diego Legion

Lock (No. 4), Ben Mitchell, Austin Elite

Lock (No. 5), Brad Tucker, Seattle Seawolves

Blindside Flanker (No. 6), Kyle Sumsion, Rugby United New York

Openside Flanker (No. 7), Devin Short, San Diego Legion

No. 8, Ross Deacon, Rugby United New York

Scrum-half (No. 9), Nate Augspurger, San Diego Legion

Fly-half (No. 10), Sam Malcolm, Toronto Arrows

Wing (No. 11), Malacchi Esdale, Houston SaberCats

Inside Center (No. 12), Gannon Moore, Utah Warriors

Outside Center (No. 13), Dan Moor, Toronto Arrows

Wing (No. 14), Brock Staller, Seattle Seawolves

Fullback (No. 15), Mat Turner, Seattle Seawolves

Brock Staller of the Seattle Seawolves (Rod Mar)

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Major League Rugby Stories from February 25, 2019

• San Diego Legion Vault to the Summit with Complete Team Performance; Brock Staller Headlines SeaWolves' Attack - MLR
• San Diego Legion Over Austin Elite Rugby - Austin Gilgronis

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