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The Seattle Seawolves will be hoping Sunday’s match against Rugby United New York will be a turning point in what has been an arduous season to date. After five road games to start the campaign they at last return to the friendly confines of Starfire Stadium nearly 14 months since their last home game.
It’s the third time the two sides have met, and like many others this season the intersection has been on hold for the best part of two years. Seattle were winners at both Tukwila and Brooklyn in 2019, a season they would go on to lift their second consecutive MLR Shield.
Times have changed however and with a record of 1-4 the Seawolves are now at the bottom of the table. Their only win, against Utah three weeks ago, has been followed by two convincing defeats against first Toronto and last weekend Austin. A change in coaching structure came in between and it’s hoped the change of scenery will help lift slumping shoulders.
Only three forwards retain their starting status this week. The return of James Malcolm boosts the front row with Canadian bookends Djustice Sears-Duru and Jake Ilnicki alongside. Conor McGill is handed a first start at lock, while Andrew Durutalo is back to take up a spot on the flank.
JP Smith has recovered from concussion suffered against the Warriors to start at scrumhalf with Devereaux Ferris dropping to the bench. Aaron Matthews starts in place of Sitiveni Tamaivena on the left wing while Ross Neal continues to man the right side.
George Barton is back in the picture albeit as a reserve, while Canadian-eligible utility back Nick Taylor is set to make his professional bow as a replacement. Mike Shepherd is asked to provide backup at loosehead prop having played hooker exclusively in 19 previous appearances for the Seawolves.
New York were left reeling after enduring their worst ever defeat against the Arrows in Jersey City last weekend. They now look to take their frustrations out on the Seawolves but will have to first overcome the long journey from East to West Coast.
There is good news with the return of midfielders Will Leonard and Fa’asiu Fuatai from a brief hiatus. Quinn Ngawati moves to the left wing while Andy Ellis is recalled at scrumhalf having been rested in the first half of the Arrows game.
It’s Dylan Fawsitt’s turn this week to sit out the opening period leaving Ellis to act as skipper. Brazilian international Wilton Rebolo makes his first MLR start at hooker with Zak Taulafo coming in at tighthead prop. Hanco Germishuys is fit to start on the flank with Nate Brakeley moving back to lock and Evan Mintern named at No8.
Seattle at home are always a formidable challenge but one does wonder if the advantage will be enough to save a sinking ship. Starfire at 25% capacity negates some of the typically feverish local crowd support. With no weather conditions it’s down to form and until the Seawolves show some spark the favorites tag will be with their opponents. Take New York to rebound on the road.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 8pm Eastern. CBS Sports Network will broadcast live in Canada and the USA, with The Rugby Network streaming abroad.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Conor McGill, 5 FP Pelser, 6 Tommy Clark, 7 Andrew Durutalo, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 Kieran Joyce, 11 Aaron Matthews, 12 Shalom Suniula, 13 Seta Tuilevuka, 14 Ross Neal, 15 Mat Turner
Replacements: 16 Obert Nortjé, 17 Mike Shepherd, 18 Tim Metcher, 19 Eric Duechle, 20 Jacob Flores, 21 Devereaux Ferris, 22 George Barton, 23 Nick Taylor
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 3 Zak Taulafo, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 Kara Pryor, 8 Evan Mintern, 9 Andy Ellis (capt.), 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Quinn Ngawati, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Luke Hume, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Kyle Sumsion, 20 Benjamín Bonasso, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 Joel Miranda
Date: Sunday, May 1
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
Kickoff: 17:00 local (20:00 Eastern)
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Denny Russell (USA) & Brett Johnson (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2019-05-11 – Rugby United New York 31, Seattle Seawolves 38 (MCU Park)
2019-02-24 – Seattle Seawolves 33, Rugby United New York 21 (Starfire Stadium)
