Dallas Jackals Fall to San Diego in a Hard Fought Battle

Week 2 of Major League Rugby play led to a showdown on the pitch between the Dallas Jackals and San Diego Legion. A warm day on the West Coast, could not keep up with the back and forth action put on by both sides. Even with a season highlight reel Try, the Jackals came up short of the Legion 37-29. 

• Dallas Jackals fight an 80 min heartfelt battle, but come up short.

• Henry Trinder scores the Jackals second-ever Try. 

• #1 Draft Pick Eric Naposki makes a huge run down the field and after a quick pass to Aaron Gray to Conrado Roura, Roura powers the ball into the Try Zone. 

• Scoring: 
  • Tries By: Henry Trinder, Conrado Roura
  • Penalty Kicks: Adriaan Carelse (5)
  • Conversion Kicks: Adriaan Carelse (2)

Shortly after kickoff and with an extended advantage scrum penalty, Adriaan Carelese’s penalty kick was good, 3-0 Jackals. 8.40’ brought an intentional knock-on penalty to Scrum Half Carlo de Nysschen, resulting in a yellow card and Penalty Try, 7-3 Legion. 

Continuing the game of early San Diego penalties, a scrum penalty led to another Penalty Kick, which was missed by Carelse. Jackals were on a long attack but a short grubber was picked up by the Legion for a kick to touch. 

After winning lineout possession, Jackals make progress down the field before a Legion not releasing penalty. With high winds at the SDSU Sports Deck, Carelse missed the following Penalty Kick. He quickly got to redeem himself after a Legion knock-on on the catch, 7-6, San Diego. Back and forth attacking led the two sides into the first 90 sec water break. 

Three minutes post water break, Dallas is called on a penalty and Legion go for the posts making it 10-6. At 26’, a San Diego lineout followed by a driving maul, San Diego Scrum Half Nate Augspurger called for not rolling away. Carelese kicks for the corner followed by de Nysschen running through the San Diego defense line. Dallas passes up down the attack line trying for the dead ball zone before a Legion penalty and play stopping HIA injury (concussion protocol). A lineout restart after the scrum penalty, Jackals Scrum Half quick passes the ball to Henry Trinder who takes the ball in for automatic 7 Try, 13-10 Jackals. 

Legion stole the ball on the return and earned a Penalty Kick to tie up the match at 13-13. A beautiful pass by Tucci to Caresle who breaks the line leads to a close Try called no go by the TMO (Television Match Official). Jackals attack forward before a San Diego penalty leading to once more a Carelse Penalty Kick, 16-13 Dallas. This would end the first half battle. 

Legion came out strong after halftime charging down the pitch. A Try was awarded and a Conversion kick good, 20-16, Legion. The lead would not last but 6 mins after two Jackals Penalty Kicks by Carelese, 22-20 Jackals. After an impressive end to end game of rugby by both sides, the 2nd water break is taken. 

Straight out of the water break, 2021 Major League Rugby #1 overall draft pick Eric Naposki breaks down the pitch. Fellow draftee Aaron Gray quickly shifts it to Number 8 Conrado Roura who powers the ball down into the try zone, 29-20 Jackals. The 2 Try lead would not last when the Legion came charging back for a Try, but a missed conversion, 29-25. 

A Dallas turnover leads to a quick San Diego Try, but another missed conversion keeps the Pack within 1, 30-29. Jackals take the ball after an opposing penalty with 6 mins left, but cannot get the ball through the line. Legion get a break from their zone and took the ball down field for the final score of the game, 37-29 San Diego Legion. 

Although a loss in the end, the Dallas Jackals fought hard and left their hearts on the pitch. The improvement from Week 1 to Week 2 and the potential as training continues will not go unnoticed. 

Jackals return home to host the Houston SaberCats for their Inaugural Opening Day at Choctaw Stadium on Saturday, February 19th at 7pm CT. Get your tickets today and join the Pack in Arlington for this historic moment!

###

About Dallas Jackals —

The Dallas Jackals are a professional rugby team of Major League Rugby (MLR), the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The Jackals were named as an expansion team in 2020 and will play their inaugural season in 2022. The team’s central mission is to develop domestic talent to a world-class level of play and professionalism while strengthening the high- performance pathway in DFW by supporting the local clubs. Through proactive Community Outreach, the Jackals will exemplify and spread the passion of rugby by inspiring tradition, respect, family, and character on and off the pitch.

About MLR —

Major League Rugby is a professional sports league entering its fifth season and represents the highest level of rugby competition in North America. The League evolved from seven teams in 2018, to 13 teams in 2022, featuring 12 from the United States and one from Canada. Matches are televised on CBS Sports Network, Fox Sports 2, and ESPN+, among other national and local market platforms. All matches are available on Facebook Live for international fans. MLR prides itself in fostering intense and high-stakes competition, while bringing together a passionate community built on the values of Respect, Inclusivity, and Tradition. For more information about MLR, visit MajorLeague.Rugby.