Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s another double-header in Georgia that kicks off the 15th week of the Major League Rugby season. The Toronto Arrows have now been mathematically eliminated from postseason contention but they can throw a spanner in rival Rugby United New York’s playoff plans if they can pull off a win.
Toronto have now dropped four matches in a row, double their previous record. They will be hoping to salvage something from their last three games of the season but will have to do so without nine internationals who are already unavailable, and three more who will depart after Saturday’s game.
Five changes have been made from the pack that lost to NOLA last weekend. Jack McRogers and Tyler Rowland come into the front row with Mike Sheppard starting in place of Paul Ciulini at lock. Tomás de la Vega returns from a one-week hiatus and Ireland u20 cap gets his first start at No8.
Jason Higgins starts at scrumhalf in one of four changes to the backs. Guiseppe du Toit and Mitch Richardson are the new midfield pairing with the former wearing the captain’s armband. A late decision sees Manuel Montero ruled out again with Joaquín Tuculet moving to the wing and Tayler Adams starting at the unusual spot of fullback.
Rowland will be joined by Will Kelly and Cole Keith on the plane to the UK following the match. Three players are set to make their club debuts from the bench in hooker Joe Tomlinson, flanker Ollie Nott, and outside back Kobe Faust who could become the youngest player in MLR history at 19 years, 1 month, and 26 days. Record points scorer Sam Malcolm is also among the reserves after returning from Japan.
It’s a decidedly different feel for New York who are very much in the Semi Final mix but slipped somewhat against Utah last weekend. With NOLA now just three points behind they can ill afford another setback and have accordingly named their strongest available roster. Revenge will also be on their mind after suffering a thrashing at home to the Arrows in April.
Injuries to captain Dylan Fawsitt and prop James Rochford against the Warriors sees two new starting front rowers in Zak Taulafo and Wilton Rebolo. The latter takes the field as his countrymen take on Paraguay in the World Cup Qualifiers. Assuming Brazil are successful, Rebolo will join them for the next round against Uruguay.
Nick Civetta returns from a shoulder injury to start at lock, and Hanco Germishuys is named at openside flanker with Kyle Sumsion dropping to the bench. Tighthead prop Kirk Hamilton is set for his first appearance of the season as a replacement.
The first choice midfield pairing is restored as Fa’asiu Fuatai starts at outside center with Quinn Ngawati switching to the wing. Ngawati will also be on the plane to Britain following the match to play for Canada. Andy Ellis continues to be absent with Connor Buckley backing up Conor McManus at scrumhalf.
There’s nothing to be worried about on the forecast this week so it’s all down to form and desire. New York were not at their best against Utah. The loss of Fawsitt and Rochford is significant, but the addition of Civetta, Germishuys, and Fuatai equally so. Toronto are well short of their full complement and are down on their luck. The visitors get the favorites tag as a result.
Kickoff is set for 4:30pm local time, 1:30pm Pacific. Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN 2. A local broadcast will be available on MSG Network in New York, with The Rugby Network streaming to the rest of the USA and all those located abroad.
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Rob Brouwer, 2 Jack McRogers, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Mike Sheppard, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Tomás de la Vega, 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Jason Higgins, 10 Will Kelly, 11 Johnny Sheridan, 12 Guiseppe du Toit (capt.), 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 Joaquín Tuculet, 15 Tayler Adams
Replacements: 16 Joe Tomlinson, 17 Cole Keith, 18 Gastón Cortes, 19 Paul Ciulini, 20 Ollie Nott, 21 Kobe Faust, 22 Andrew Ferguson, 23 Sam Malcolm
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Wilton Rebolo, 3 Samu Tawake, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Hanco Germishuys, 8 Evan Mintern, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Harry Bennett, 11 Apenisa Cakaubalavu, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Quinn Ngawati, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Rob Irimescu, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Kirk Hamilton, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Connor Buckley, 22 Chris Mattina, 23 Troy Lockyear
Date: Saturday, June 26
Venue: Lupo Family Field, Marietta
Kickoff: 16:30 local (13:30 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Pete Chamberlain (USA)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, The Rugby Network, TSN 2
Historical Results
2021-04-25 – Rugby United New York 12, Toronto Arrows 53 (Cochrane Stadium)
2019-06-02 – Toronto Arrows 22, Rugby United New York 20 (Lamport Stadium)
2019-03-15 – Rugby United New York 24, Toronto Arrows 21 (MCU Park)
