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The fifth and final match of Week 4 takes place on Sunday afternoon. Rugby United New York is the next team to take on Rugby ATL at ‘The Snake Pit’, where the Ratlers have proven unyielding hosts in the opening weeks of the season.
New York will have had much to analyze in their off-week following a record defeat at the hands of NOLA. Their uncharacteristically loose approach in attack backfired in dramatic fashion. The good news is there are extra bodies to select from this week, including the arrival of towering Eagles lock Nick Civetta.
Charlie Hewitt drops to the bench to make room for Civetta, with Zak Taulafo recalled at tighthead prop in place of Samu Tawake. There is a back row shuffle with Kara Pryor moving to No8, Hanco Germishuys to openside flanker, and a first start for Benjamín Bonasso on the blindside flank.
Evan Mintern is absent from the match day squad though there is a more conventional 5-3 split in reserve this week. There is a notable return of Luke Hume. The former Eagles winger could make his first Major League Rugby appearance since suffering a serious knee injury against San Diego in the 2019 Semi Final.
A blowout win over San Diego was the best of ATL’s young history, and builds on the opening round upset of the Arrows. They have added front row steel in Marko Janse van Rensburg and Manasa Saulo in recent weeks, and even short of a full complement the backline is electric when given space.
With no Chance Wenglewski it’s Alex Maughan who slides in a loosehead prop with Saulo getting his first start at tighthead. Daemon Torres switches to the blindside flank in the absence of Connor Cook, with Jason Damm recalled at No8. Ross Deacon returns to the bench in place of Conor Keys.
Injury has ruled out Te Rangatira Waitokia so Robbie Petzer moves out one slot to outside center and Martini Talapusi comes in at the No12 position. Zander van Schalkwyk gets his first start of the season on the right wing, and Rowan Gouws returns at scrumhalf. A new name on the bench is South African flyhalf Adriaan Carelse who arrived during the week.
In their one previous meeting the East Conference rivals came to a close decision with New York proving a little too strong in the forwards last season. The victory also notably came in Marietta so they will not be intimidated by their surroundings.
This is a difficult match to call. If New York are intent on being contenders this season these are the games they need to be taking points from. ATL’s defense is tough to crack at home, however, and they will be filled with confidence following their dismantling of the Legion. On paper the visitors are the stronger side, but the edge in momentum goes to the home team. Take ATL by a razor-thin margin.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. CBS Sports Network will broadcast the game nationwide. Those located abroad can watch a live stream on The Rugby Network.
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 Manasa Saulo, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Daemon Torres, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Jason Damm, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Mark O’Keeffe, 12 Martini Talapusi, 13 Robbie Petzer, 14 Zander van Schalkwyk, 15 Rory van Vugt
Replacements: 16 Neethling Gericke, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Will Burke, 19 Vili Helu, 20 Ross Deacon, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 Jeremy Misailegalu, 23 Adriaan Carelse
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Zak Taulafo, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Apenisa Cakaubalavu, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Quinn Ngawati, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Wilton Rebolo, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Rob Irimescu, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 Luke Hume
Date: Sunday, April 11
Venue: Lupo Family Field, Marietta
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Cisco Lopez (USA) & Dave Edwards (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2020-02-23 – Rugby ATL 19, Rugby United New York 22 (Lupo Family Field)
