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These are desperate times for both teams taking the field at MCU Park on Sunday, each for a different reason. Rugby United New York saw their playoff hopes dip in defeat to Seattle last weekend and need a win to stay alive. Austin Elite, meanwhile, have lost 15 straight and need to somehow avoid a completely winless campaign.
Paddy Ryan misses out after straining in neck against the Seawolves. James Rochford moves to tighthead prop with Anthony Parry in on the loosehead side. Sean McNulty swaps jerseys with Dylan Fawsitt to start at hooker, and with Trevor Cassidy out it’s Alex MacDonald’s turn in the second row.
There is a significant loss with Cathal Marsh sidelined but Harry Bennett is a classy replacement at No10. Ben Foden appears on the bench for the first time this season as Luke Hume gets the start at fullback as the three-quarter line stays intact.
There are three further personnel changes on the bench. New loan signing Chance Wenglewski is set to make his Major League Rugby debut from the bench, and Matt Wirken provides lock cover. Marcus Satavu sits beside Foden as an outside back option.
Austin had last weekend off after losing their mid-week make-up game in Toronto. They have swapped out both flankers with Dom Bailey coming in at openside and Rikus Zwart getting the start, but in the unusual position of No8 as Travis Larsen is instead bumped to the blindside flank.
The backs situation looks dire. Having already lost Mickael Romera last month, Marcelo Torrealba’s untimely ankle injury leaves the Elite with no specialist scrumhalves available. Last week’s experiment with Soheyl Jaoudat at the pivotal position did not go well so it’s Rodrigo Silva who is asked to fill in this time, with JP Aguirre deputising at flyhalf.
Aidan McMullan’s spot on the wing goes to Sione Fangaiuiha, and Zinzan Elan-Puttick continues as captain in the continued absence of inspirational leader Ben Mitchell. There is better news with Doug Fraser fit to take up a spot on the bench.
On the road with a makeshift halfback combination and with no form to speak of, Austin’s chances look bleak. That’s very good news for New York, who need maximum points to stay in the playoff hunt with two difficult opponents ahead in San Diego and Toronto. Look for the home side to take this at a cantor.
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 10am Pacific, Noon central. A local broadcast will be available on SNY in New York, with ESPN+ carrying the game nationwide. Those located outside the USA can access the live stream on the MLR Facebook page.
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 Anthony Parry, 2 Sean McNulty, 3 James Rochford, 4 Alex MacDonald, 5 Nate Brakeley, 6 John Quill, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 Dylan Fawsitt, 9 Mike Petri (capt.), 10 Harry Bennett, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Mike St. Claire, 15 Luke Hume
Replacements: 16 Callum Mackintosh, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Chris Sullivan, 19 Matt Wirken, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Marcus Walsh, 22 Ben Foden, 23 Marcus Satavu
AUSTIN ELITE
1 LaRome White, 2 Peter Malcolm, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Ronan McCusker, 5 Josh Larsen, 6 Travis Larsen, 7 Dom Bailey, 8 Rikus Zwart, 9 Rodrigo Silva, 10 JP Aguirre, 11 Sione Fangaiuiha, 12 Andrés Vilaseca, 13 Simon Bienvenu, 14 Reece Czarnecki, 15 Zinzan Elan-Puttick (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 Juan Echeverría, 18 Phil Hanson, 19 Kyle Breytenbach, 20 Moe Abdelmonem, 21 Soheyl Jaoudat, 22 Doug Fraser, 23 Aidan McMullan
Date: Sunday, May 19
Venue: MCU Park, Brooklyn
Kickoff: 13:00 local (10:00 Pacific, 12:00 Central)
Referee: Luke Rogan (USAR)
Assistants: Moe Chaudhry (RC) & Amelia Luciano (USAR)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Facebook, SNY
