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Rugby United New York can take another step towards an Eastern Conference Semi Final if they can earn a win over New England on Saturday. The match also serves as a farewell to Union Point Stadium as the Free Jacks are set for a move to Quincy for their last home game of the season. A long-term residency at Veterans Memorial Stadium was announced this week.
Since their last meeting, won by New York in Jersey City, the visitors have won three out of four games with their only loss to Utah by a single point. New York now hold a four-point lead over NOLA for second spot in the East. With the Gold slated to face the Giltinis on Sunday it’s a vital opportunity for the visitors to stretch ahead.
Achieving success on the road won’t be easy with four international departures leaving the ranks thin up front. First choice lock pair Nate Brakeley and Nick Civetta have traveled with the Eagles along with flanker Hanco Germishuys, while front rower Wilton Rebolo has returned to Brazil.
The good news is that captain Dylan Fawsitt and loose forward Kara Pryor are fit for duty. Charlie Hewitt and Evan Mintern are the second row pairing with Kyle Sumsion coming in on the blindside flank. New signings Diego Maquieira and Max Dacey cover hooker and lock respectively from the bench. Maquieira played for Houston in 2018 while Dacey is awaiting his MLR debut.
In the backs it’s the same group that lined up in last week’s win over Toronto with one exception. Quinn Ngawati has joined up with Canada so Chris Mattina comes in on the right wing. There is a very welcome return for flyhalf Dan Hollinshead from injury though he settles for a spot among the replacements.
New England’s own playoff hopes were dashed at home last weekend as they fell off the pace in the second half against NOLA. The emotional letdown is complicated by the bittersweet news that coach Ryan Martin will move to the Melbourne Rebels next season. Sending him off and leaving a positive impression in Weymouth will be their motivation.
The match day 23 shows only one personnel change. Suspension has ended Aleki Morris-Lome’s season early so Harrison Boyle moves up to inside center. Dougie Fife drops back to fullback and Poasa Waqanibau comes back into the starting side at outside center. New signing Josateki Degei joins countryman Tuidraki Samusamuvodre on the bench.
These two sides are in very different places and it’s clear that New York have more to play for. New England however are closer to full strength and playing at home. Rain is on the forecast which may favor the forward-oriented style of the visitors. This promises to be a close match between classic rivals. Take New York as favorites but not by much.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 1pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on the MSG Network in New York and NESN in New England with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Sef Fa’agase, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Jackson Thiebes, 5 Conor Kindregan, 6 Tera Mtembu, 7 Joe Johnston (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Harrison Boyle, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Justin Johnson, 20 Vili Toluta’u, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Josateki Degei, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Samu Tawake, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Evan Mintern, 6 Kyle Sumsion, 7 Benjamín Bonasso, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Harry Bennett, 11 Apenisa Cakaubalavu, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Chris Mattina, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Diego Maquieira, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Kirk Hamilton, 19 Max Dacey, 20 Rob Irimescu, 21 Connor Buckley, 22 Dan Hollinshead, 23 Troy Lockyear
Date: Saturday, July 3
Venue: Union Point Stadium, Weymouth
Kickoff: 16:00 local (13:00 Pacific)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Mike Rudzinsky (USA)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, NESN, The Rugby Network
Historic Results
2021-05-23 – Rugby United New York 29, New England Free Jacks 19 (Cochrane Stadium)
2020-02-09 – New England Free Jacks 34, Rugby United New York 14 (Sam Boyd Stadium)
