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AUSTIN, Texas — The Utah Warriors’ leading scorer Kurt Morath was missing from Friday night’s western clash with Austin Elite due to an international call-up with his native Tonga.
As it turns out, that made all the difference.
Austin Elite (3-3) scored first-half tries by Alex Faison-Donaho, Zinzan Elan-Puttick and Pedrie Wannenburg for a 20-12 halftime advantage en route to cruising to a 41-33 victory Friday night at Round Rock Multipurpose Complex in Austin.
Tevita Tameilau, Ray Forrester and Iniki Fa’amausili each had a try for the Utah (2-4), which fell to fourth place in the Major League Rugby standings — just three points ahead of New Orleans for the final playoff spot — with two home matches remaining.
Morath, the all-time leading scorer in Tonga rugby history, accounted for 11 points in the Warriors’ 41-22 win over Austin at Zions Bank Stadium back on May 11, but the squad that made eight changes to its lineup in its third-straight road match never found its footing in Friday night’s rematch.
Former BYU punter Jonny Linehan replaced Morath at flyhalf, and the ex-rugby All-American was held to a handful of conversions in the kicking game.
Former Utah rugby standout and USA Eagles international John Cullen was promoted to starting lock, and Tino Mafi moved up to starting hooker as Lote Tu'ipulotu was switched to prop for the weekend.
Next up:
The Warriors have a by until June 16, when they will host the NOLA Gold (2-3) at 2 p.m. MT at Zions Bank Stadium in Herriman in what could decide Major League Rugby's final spot in the inaugural four-team playoffs.
Utah will host a “pies-and-tries” fan event Wednesday, June 6 at noon at Warriors Field, 3197 Ashton Boulevard in Lehi.
