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There are three unbeaten teams left in Major League Rugby. Barring a draw, it will be down to only two after Saturday afternoon’s match at Gold Stadium in New Orleans. The darling of the new season are the NOLA Gold who put their winning streak on the line against Rugby United New York in what promises to be a captivating contest between two sides gunning for the post-season.
It’s been three up, three down for the Gold thus far. Their off-season acquisitions have paid off in spades and another joins the fray on Saturday. Eagles flanker Tony Lamborn will pack down at No8, a position he played often while leading Southland in the Mitre 10 Cup. Also starting in the pack are Canadian pair Eric Howard and Kyle Baillie. Howard captains the side from hooker and Baillie is named at his favored blindside flank position.
For the backs it’s business as usual with an identical three-quarter line and vice-captain JP Eloff fit to continue at fullback. There is one notable change as Scott Gale returns from to the lineup at flyhalf pushing Nick Feakes to the bench. Set to make his MLR debut is winger Shawn Riley who is one of just two backs replacements named.
New York have been anxiously awaiting their return to action after two consecutive bye weeks. They managed to pull the game from the fire in their debut against San Diego and will know that a little extra is needed if they are to beat the in-form Gold.
Mike Tolkin has made just one change to the starting side. With John Quill away on Eagles duty it’s Matt Hughston who starts at openside flank. Second row Matt Wirken takes up the vacancy on the bench and Irish import Mark O’Keeffe is set for his RUNY debut as a midfield reserve.
Nine players in the match day squad suited up for other MLR sides in the inaugural season. Three of them will be familiar to Gold fans. Hughston started every match for NOLA in 2018 and both Wirken and Anthony Parry were regulars on the roster.
Damp weather is on the forecast for Louisiana which could impact the ability of NOLA to stretch the New York defense. Only Zack Stryffeler has not tasted international rugby among the Gold forwards, however, so the conditions are unlikely to phase a group featuring venerable campaigners like Hubert Buydens and Kane Thompson.
For New York to come away with victory they’ll need to secure their own first phase ball and take a more tactical approach than they did against San Diego. We have yet to see NOLA on the retreat and the halfback duo of Mike Petri and Cathal Marsh will be certain to test the Gold’s back three with the boot.
There’s no question that New Orleans start this match as favorites. If there’s a weakness thus far it’s been in defense where they have conceded plenty, but the speed of their attack has thus far proved near unstoppable. New York’s problem-solving skills will be well and truly tested on Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, noon Pacific, 3pm Eastern. Numerous broadcast options are available including Cox Sports TV and SNY locally, NBC Sports in Washington and Philadelphia, and ESPN+ nationwide. Those located outside of the USA can watch a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
NOLA GOLD
1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Eric Howard (capt.), 3 Ben Tarr, 4 Ignacio Dotti, 5 Kane Thompson, 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Zack Stryffeler, 8 Tony Lamborn, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Scott Gale, 11 Joeli Tikoisuva, 12 Con Foley, 13 Taylor Howden, 14 Tristan Blewett, 15 JP Eloff
Replacements: 16 Matt Harmon, 17 Cam Falcon, 18 Kevin Sullivan, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Billy Stewart, 21 John Sullivan, 22 Shawn Riley, 23 Nick Feakes
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Trevor Cassidy, 6 Kyle Sumsion, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Mike Petri (capt.), 10 Cathal Marsh, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Ben Foden, 14 Chris Mattina, 15 Luke Hume
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Kirk Hamilton, 19 Matt Wirken, 20 Alex MacDonald, 21 Marcus Walsh, 22 Mark O’Keeffe, 23 Derek Lipscomb
Date: Saturday, February 16
Venue: Gold Stadium, New Orleans
Kickoff: 14:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 15:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Cox Sports TV, ESPN+, Facebook, NBC Sports Washington/Philadelphia, SNY
