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The firsts keep racking up for professional rugby in the USA. This time it’s a first for New York City as Rugby United New York hosts the Boston Mystics at Gaelic Park in the Bronx on Saturday evening. United got their exhibition season underway last weekend when they beat the Ontario Arrows at Iona College. This is the first ever match for Boston under the new brand, part of an expansion of the existing Mystic River Rugby Club and a step towards potential inclusion in Major League Rugby.
It’s effectively the Mystic River side that takes the field on Saturday though they have added a few overseas players to bolster the roster this season. A pair of Auckland Colts have joined up in the form of loosehead prop Pino Maupese and eightman Michael Kaivelata, the latter taking home the provincial Club Rookie of the Year award for 2016 after impressing with Manukau Rovers.
Stephen Cappello anchors the scrum not far removed from an impressive season with the USA South Panthers in the 2017 Rugby Americas North Championship.
Australian scrumhalf Ian Luciano keeps former USA u20 halfback Erik Thompson on the bench, and there are a pair of talented Argentines directing the backline. Santiago Bertranou and Matías de Paolis arrive from the Los Tordos club. Bertranou is the younger brother of Jaguares scrumhalf Gonzalo and himself represented the Pumitas at u18 level. de Paolis is also an accomplished provincial player having captained Mendoza in the Campeonato Argentino.
Adding a bit of sting beside the more creative de Paolis is New Zealand-born Paulo Aukuso. Of Samoan extract, the Oriental Rongotai stalwart has represented Wellington ‘B’ and spent a season playing professionally in France. He also has an interesting family connection – his uncle is Manu Samoa legend Brian Lima, a five time World Cup participant.
Mike Tolkin’s side will have to make do without three key players this week. Flanker Alex Schwarz, flyhalf Harry Bennett, and center Seamus Kelly are all sidelined. Gavan D’Amore Morrison replaces Schwarz on the side of the scrum in the only change to the forward pack.
The backs, however, have had to reshuffle with the losses. Versatile Canada ‘A’ select Jack Fitzpatrick fills in for Bennett with Eagles 7s rep Connor Wallace-Sims switching from wing to the midfield. Chris Vakasisikakala starts in Kelly’s place and lines up opposite Aukuso in what should be a ferocious head-to-head and Greg Voigt takes the vacancy on the wing.
Boston’s backline is cause for concern but on paper New York still retain a significant advantage overall despite the injuries. Expect the Mystics to come out firing and they will be focused on making the most of the historic opportunity. Come the second half, however, United will be too strong to let this one slip.
Kickoff is set for 7pm (Eastern) local time. There will not be a live broadcast. A curtain-raiser between FDNY and NYPD begins at 4pm. Tickets are available online and with a large number already sold it should make for a memorable occasion at Gaelic Park.
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 Anthony Parry, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Kirk Hamilton, 4 David Gannon, 5 Nate Brakeley, 6 Gavan D’Amore-Morrison, 7 James Denise, 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Marcus Walsh, 10 Jack Fitzpatrick, 11 Michael St. Claire, 12 Connor Wallace-Sims, 13 Chris Vakasisikakala, 14 Greg Voigt, 15 Luke Hume
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Brian McKellar, 18 Chris Sullivan, 19 Dave Shotton, 20 Nick Wolley, 21 Mike Petri, 22 Jake Feury, 23 Kyle Granby, 24 Mike Tagliaferro
BOSTON MYSTICS
1 Pino Maupese, 2 Greg Rasmuson, 3 Stephen Cappello, 4 Rob Brennan, 5 Dave McKenna, 6 Chris Frazier, 7 Jon Kokinda, 8 Michael Kaivelata, 9 Ian Luciano, 10 Santiago Bertranou, 11 Vini Daley, 12 Matías de Paolis, 13 Paulo Aukuso, 14 Stephen Dazzo, 15 Jared Collison
Replacements: 16 Devin Ibanez, 17 Gianni Miceli, 18 Scott Lucas, 19 Keaton Cashin, 20 Andrew Burns, 21 Erik Thompson, 22 Matt Dunleavy, 23 Akinola Raymond, 24 Jeff Laflamme
Date: Saturday, March 24
Venue: Gaelic Park, New York
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: n/a
