Seawolves shake off rust, bounce Raptors in 47-0 preseason victory
By Charles Hamaker
Tukwila, WA – In their first contest of the 2023 season, albeit the preseason, the Seattle Seawolves saw familiar faces contribute to a resounding 47-0 victory over the American Raptors. The former MLR side was able to prevent two tries on the goal line, but Seattle still racked up seven tries on the night with two coming from Dan Kriel in the first half. Every try scorer was on last year's roster except for young Karl Keane, who scored at the 68-minute mark of the match. The Seawolves also saw captain Riekert Hattingh take the field in the second half, as he had been cleared to play earlier in the day.
Wing Lauina Futi was critical in Seattle’s first two tries of the night, rumbling for big carries (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Dashing Dan wastes no time in starting 2023 the right way
The Seawolves started this game with potential, but their first few possessions ended before the third pass could be completed. Perhaps it was the proverbial rust that Seattle was shaking off, the Seawolves were able to find paydirt on the next possession. Wing Lauina Futi rumbled for a big carry to bring Seattle down the field, before Dan Kriel topped it off by scoring the first try off the match just eleven minutes in. The Seawolves continued to build momentum as Futi was carrying the ball well on two separate occasions before Seattle was stopped on the try line and Futi had a knock-on. At the 27-minute mark, Kriel and the Seawolves were able to click again as AJ Alatimu found Kriel on a pass right out of the scrum.
Seawolves center Dan Kriel scored the first two tries of the game (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Scrums and late tries melt the second half away
Coming out of the locker room, the Seawolves were able to maintain their 21-0 lead over the Raptors through numerous scrums. It seemed almost as though both teams had come to a mutual agreement to practice their scrums, as the two teams tallied 6 scrums before the next try was scored. Finally at the 58-minute mark, Seattle got down towards the try line and swung it out wide to Duncan Matthews for the diving try. Five minutes later, the Seawolves were awarded a penalty and scored a try similar to the previous one as Martin Iosefo received a pass out wide, getting tackled and running into a field marker mid-try.
Seattle’s Martin Iosefo scores a try, landing in a heap in the process (Photo by Melissa Levin)
The Seawolves were able to pour on two more tries by Pacific Northwest natives Karl Keane and Lopeti Aisea, ultimately resulting in our final score of 47-0. It’s exciting to see that Seattle got production out of players that may not necessarily be their headliners, as the Seawolves will need to be able to manage their depth this season. Whether it because of young talent such as Keane, or the players that Seattle acquired in a busy offseason, the Seawolves have a deep team and are looking to avenge their 2022 MLR Title game loss to the Rugby New York Ironworkers (formerly now as just Rugby New York). If head coach Allen Clarke and the Seattle staff can manage that depth just right and keep this group healthy, the Seawolves very well could be in for another deep run when the playoffs come around.
Wing Cole Zarcone had big carries down the stretch that led to Karl Keane’s try (Photo by Melissa Levin)
Quick notes
Three different Seawolves players scored conversion kick’s tonight: AJ Alatimu, Karl Keane, and Jordan Chait
Six different Seawolves players scored tries in this game: Dan Kriel, AJ Alatimu, Duncan Matthews, Martin Iosefo, Karl Keane, and Lopeti Aisea.
Former Seawolves player Tommy Clark faced off against his former team today, as he’s on the Raptors roster
Former Seawolves player Tommy Clark (left) poses with Isaia Lotawa, who is on Seattle’s preseason roster (Photo by Melissa Levin)
What’s next?
Seattle will play its second and final match of the 2023 preseason when they take on the Seattle Rugby Club on Wednesday, February 8th. The match begins at 7:30PM PST as the Seawolves will look to get their final adjustments and kinks out ahead of the beginning of the regular season. With plenty of talent and depth acquired in the offseason, Seattle has the task of figuring out how to integrate their players in the right positions to succeed for starters and non-starters.