NEWS

Round Nine Preview

WRITTEN BY ALEXANDER DIEGEL FOR THE RUGBY NETWORK

Week 8’s top East-West match between LA and New York did not disappoint. Nor did any of the games across the league, where every team picked up at least a point. This week’s matches feature more clashes between some of the league’s best, and will provide plenty of storylines yet again. Read along to find out what’s in store for Week 9.

NOLA Gold at San Diego Legion

Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

NOLA Gold is riding high after a late victory bumped the team up to first place in the Eastern Conference. San Diego is struggling, now 2-6 after its loss to rival Seattle.

What’s at stake: New Orleans needs to win to stay on top of the table in the East. This proud San Diego team desperately wants to get back in the win column and try to stir things up in the second half of the season.

Bold prediction: San Diego’s just been too banged up lately to pick with any confidence, even at home. 28-21 New Orleans.

Rugby United New York at Austin Gilgronis

Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

New York is coming off of its most impressive win of the season, knocking off the vaunted LA Giltinis. Things don’t get much easier as it now travels to Austin to face the other “Gil” that just had its four-game win streak snapped.

What’s at stake: Austin was sitting at second in the West for the last couple of weeks but got passed in the standings by Utah. New York dropped from first to second in the East in spite of the victory. Neither will want to continue its slide in the standings.

Bold prediction: Got a coin I can borrow to flip for this one? I’ll give Austin the edge with home field advantage, 24-22.

Toronto Arrows at Houston SaberCats

Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

Toronto and Houston are both coming off losses and looking to right the ship in order to get out of the lower half of their respective conference standings. Both teams looked improved for a stretch but are now in the midst of multi-game losses.

What’s at Stake: Both Toronto and Houston need wins to climb the conference rankings. The Arrows are in fifth place but have a chance to get back in the mix in the very tight Eastern Conference.

Bold prediction: These teams might be each other’s East-West doppelgangers. Either is capable of lighting up the scoreboard or dropping a dud on any given Saturday. I’ll say it’s Toronto that brings the A game to earn the road victory, 33-28.

New England at Rugby ATL

Saturday at 8:00 p.m. ET | Stream on The Rugby Network

Rugby ATL broke up one piece of the three-way third place tie in the East with its victory over Toronto. Now Atlanta and New England, separated by just three points in the tiebreaker differential, go head to head to try to create some distance.

What’s at stake: With any result but a draw, one team will be feeling good at 5-3, possibly sitting at first place in the conference, and no worse than in sole possession of third.

Bold prediction: Atlanta has been hot at home lately. Give this one to ATL, 24-21.

Utah Warriors at LA Giltinis

Saturday at 10:00 p.m. ET | Watch on FS2

The Utah Warriors are riding high after its victory in stoppage time leapfrogged the team over Austin and into second place in the west. LA will look to restart its winning ways after its first loss of the season.

What’s at stake: This is a first versus second place match in the Western Conference. LA will still be first in the league regardless of the result, but won’t be feeling great if it drops a second straight. That would make the west truly wild heading into the second half of the season.

Bold prediction: At home, after a wakeup call loss, you have to pick LA. 41-34 Giltinis.

Seattle Seawolves at Old Glory DC

Sunday at 12:00 p.m. ET | Watch on CBS Sports Network

The lone Sunday match pits the two worst teams in the league, by standings, against one another. Take a closer look though and you see two very strong teams with plenty to play for. Old Glory has been banged up and engaged in a number of very tight matches. Seattle is beginning to resemble its championship form after a coaching shakeup.

What’s at stake: Pride. And a jump in the standings. Old Glory can get right in the mix in the East with a win. Playoffs might be out of the picture already for Seattle, but it can jump up to fourth place with a victory.

Bold prediction: Old Glory let one slip away in stoppage time last week, and now will be back at home, though possibly without two pivotal players in Jason Robertson and Mungo Mason. Hopefully it’s a smoother trip for Seattle than its last cross country flight. If so, this rejuvenated Seattle team takes it, 24-20.