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A classic East Coast rivalry resumes in Jersey City on Sunday afternoon. Rugby United New York will play host to the New England Free Jacks. In shorter words, it’s New York vs Boston in Jersey. With the playoff race likely to come right down to the wire, the match is also of immediate importance to both sides.
The Free Jacks opened their Major League Rugby account against New York in Las Vegas last year, catching the 2019 Semi Finalists by surprise in a relatively one-sided affair. An exhibition contest between the two at Union Point Stadium in December 2018 was a much closer affair with New York taking a three-point victory.
Inconsistency has defined New England’s season to date and was evident again last weekend as they faded in the final quarter against Rugby ATL. The good news is the second half of the season includes very little travel with six home games and both away matches requiring only short trips.
Sef Fa’agase is sidelined for another week but otherwise this a settled lineup with no changes to the run-on side this week. There are two new names on the bench. Fijian flyhalf Tuidraki Samusamuvodre and utility back Ewan Brumwell are set to make their MLR debuts as replacements after clearing quarantine.
New York are also coming off a defeat but hold a three-point lead in the East Conference with a slightly better overall record. The stunning upset win over previously unbeaten LA was followed by a sluggish effort in Austin that saw them failing to score a single point in the second half, with no tries at all during the game.
There are four changes to the starting lineup, one enforced. Samu Tawake wears the No3 shirt in place of Zak Taulafo, with Benjamín Bonasso starting on the flank and Kara Pryor dropping to the reserves. Rob Irimescu joins the bench as backup hooker with Wilton Rebolo covering tighthead prop this week.
In the backs there is a change on the left wing where Apenisa Cakaubalavu is recalled at the expense of Quinn Ngawati. A shoulder injury to Dan Hollinshead gives Harry Bennett his first start of the campaign at flyhalf. It’s a conventional 5-3 split on the bench with Ngawati joining Chris Mattina as versatile backline subs.
The loss of Hollinshead is a blow though Bennett is himself a proven operator. Home field advantage is less of a factor for New England but should raise the standards of New York. With sun and hot temperatures on the forecast, bench depth will be vital and the edge there seals the home side as favorites.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 1pm Pacific. CBS Sports Network will broadcast in Canada and the USA, with The Rugby Network streaming to those located abroad.
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Samu Tawake, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 Benjamín Bonasso, 8 Evan Mintern, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Harry Bennett, 11 Apenisa Cakaubalavu, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Joel Miranda, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Rob Irimescu, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Wilton Rebolo, 19 Kyle Sumsion, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Quinn Ngawati, 23 Chris Mattina
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Quentin Newcomer, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Justin Johnson, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Dougie Fife, 14 Poasa Waqanibau, 15 Beaudein Waaka
Replacements: 16 Vili Toluta’u, 17 Spencer Krueger, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Tera Mtembu, 20 Evan Geist, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Ewan Brumwell, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
Date: Sunday, May 23
Venue: Cochrane Stadium, Jersey City
Kickoff: 16:00 local (13:00 Pacific)
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Luke Rogan (USA) & Miles McIvor (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, The Rugby Network
Historic Results
2020-02-09 – New England Free Jacks 34, Rugby United New York 14 (Sam Boyd Stadium)
