Arrows Use Nine-Try Performance to Earn Record-Breaking Win Over Utah

30 March 2019
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

HERRIMAN, UT – The Toronto Arrows scored early, often, and from all across the pitch in the club’s 64-31 win over the Utah Warriors on Saturday afternoon.

Nine different Arrows scored tries in the emphatic victory at Zions Bank Stadium, which saw the travelling Canadians set multiple Major League Rugby records: most points scored by one team in a match (64) and most tries scored by one team in a match (9).

Not to be outdone by his nonet of teammates crossing the whitewash, fly-half Sam Malcolm accrued 19 points from the kicking tee. The New Zealand native was deadly with the boot, successfully kicking 90% of his shots at goal while racking up eight conversions and a penalty goal.

Toronto flew out of the gates in the seven-try first half, scoring three tries in the opening 15 minutes to build a 19-point lead. Prop Rob Brouwer, lock Mike Sheppard, and wing Dan Moor all dotted down before the Warriors had their first spell of possession in Arrows’ territory.

Sensing urgency, the hosts responded with three rapid-fire tries of their own to tie the match at 19-19. Flanker Jackson Kaka and wings Tonata Lauti and Fetuumoana Vainikolo all crossed over for Utah in a 10-minute span, though Lauti’s efforts to enter into the in-goal area was ultimately deemed a penalty try by match officials.

No. 8 Kolby Francis, a late addition to Toronto’s starting lineup, scored the visitors’ bonus-point try late in the opening half. The barging pick-and-go provided Toronto with a seven-point lead when entering the interval.

The Arrows’ second half began much like their first, with Toronto scoring yet another trio of tries in the early of the frame. Flanker Lucas Rumball, substitute No. 8 Marcello Wainwright and wing Avery Oitomen all put themselves on the scoresheet, with the teenage Oitomen scoring his league-leading sixth try of the season. 

Utah’s Lauti and Toronto fullback Gaston Mieres traded tries before Warriors substitute Nolan Tuamoheloa added one of his own with a diving effort in the 65th minute.

A penalty goal from Malcolm and a try from substitute wing Kainoa Lloyd in the final minutes of the match capped off the strong team performance from the visiting Arrows.

“What a job by our players this afternoon,” said Arrows Director of Rugby Chris Silverthorn. “The fact that nine different players – five forwards and four backs – all got on the scoresheet tells you everything you need to know about how well-rounded this team is. After eight tough road games, with tens of thousands of miles logged, to get this win at the end of our road trip is the perfect way to wrap things up before we head home.”

Twelve full internationals featured in Toronto’s matchday squad, carrying a combined cap total of 217 matches.

Jamie Mackenzie, Jack McRogers, and Theo Sauder all made their MLR debuts in the victory.

“Entering the season, our goal was to finish our road swing with at least four wins, and we accomplished that goal this afternoon,” added Silverthorn. “We’re heading back home with momentum behind us, and we know we’ve got plenty more of these performances in us. Rugby fans in Toronto have every reason to be excited that we’re coming home, and we’re going to give our all for them.”

The bonus-point victory improves Toronto’s record to 4-4-0, though it keeps the expansion club at sixth in league standings with 22 points. The Warriors’ loss keeps the Utah outfit at eighth in the table with a 1-5-1 record and nine points. 

Saturday’s game was the eight consecutive away match for Canada’s first professional rugby union team, marking the club’s final road game of the regular season. Toronto will now play eight consecutive home matches between April 7 and June 2 to close out its regular season.

The Arrows enter round 11 of the season with a home match against the NOLA Gold on Sunday, Apr. 7. Match tickets can be purchased at torontoarrows.com/tickets.

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Toronto Arrows Score Report

Tries: R. Brouwer (5), M. Sheppard (8), D. Moor (14), K. Francis (37), L. Rumball (44), M. Wainwright (49), A. Oitomen (52), G. Mieres (58), K. Lloyd (77)
Conversions: S. Malcolm 8 (6, 9, 38, 45, 50, 53, 59, 78)
Penalty Goals: S. Malcolm (76)

Utah Warriors Score Report

Tries: J. Kaka (18), Penalty Try (23), F. Vainikolo (27), T. Lauti (56), N. Tuamoheloa (65)
Conversions: T. O’Malley 2 (19, 57)

Toronto Arrows Lineup vs. Utah Warriors

1. Rob Brouwer
2. Steven Ng
3. Morgan Mitchell
4. Mike Sheppard
5. Paul Ciulini
6. Lucas Rumball (C)
7. Peter Milazzo
8. Kolby Francis
9. Andrew Ferguson
10. Sam Malcolm
11. Dan Moor (C)
12. Guiseppe du Toit
13. Spencer Jones
14. Avery Oitomen
15. Gaston Mieres

16. Jack McRogers
17. Cole Keith
18. Tom Dolezel
19. Tom Van Horne
20. Marcello Wainwright
21. Jamie Mackenzie
22. Kainoa Lloyd
23. Theo Sauder

STAFF
Vice President & General Manager: Mark Winokur
Director of Rugby: Chris Silverthorn
Coaches: Aaron Carpenter, Cory Hector, Peter Smith
Performance Analyst: Rodin Lozada
Team Physicians: Dr. Anthony Dixon, Dr. Chris Gallimore, Dr. John Gillis
Athletic Therapist: Perry Fan

About Toronto Arrows Rugby Club:

The Toronto Arrows Rugby Club is Canada’s first professional rugby union team.

Competing in Major League Rugby, the team is equipped to compete against top-tier North American club teams, providing emerging Canadian talent with enhanced and more frequent opportunities to hone their skills at an elite level.

For more information, visit https://torontoarrows.com/ 

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For more information, please contact:

Brock Smith
Communications Manager
Toronto Arrows
[email protected]

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Header Photo Credit: Richard Lynch