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Neither Old Glory or Austin are in the playoff picture but there will still be silverware on the line on Saturday as the two sides clash in the second running of the Cuisine Solutions Cup. DC claimed bragging rights in San Antonio last year and the Gilgronis will be keen to return the favor in Leesburg.
Old Glory fans have enjoyed highs and lows this season, notable wins over Rugby ATL and most recently San Diego balanced with heavy defeats to Toronto and New York. They will bid farewell to France-bound flyhalf Jason Robertson after the match, with a couple other veterans likely wearing the stars and stripes for the last time.
Mike Sosene-Feagai, Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, and Mike Dabulas return from Eagles duty to take their place in the starting lineup though travel delays will preclude Canadian international Doug Fraser’s participation. Ruled out with injury are Jamie Dever and Cory Daniel.
Jack Iscaro gets the call at loosehead prop with 34-year-old Hannibal Vaivao, a local club stalwart, set to make his Major League Rugby debut as a replacement. Casey Renaud and Thretton Palamo are fit to resume duties albeit in a reserve capacity.
While disappointed to be missing out on the postseason, the AG’s can be proud of their achievements. In the first winning campaign in franchise history they have won more than twice as many games as their previous three seasons combined.
Jake Turnbull and Isaac Ross replace Jamie Mackintosh and Cam Dodson respectively in the starting lineup. Dodson drops to the bench where there are recalls for Brendan Rams, LaRome White, and Dom Bailey. Christian Ostberg and Kyle Breytenbach drop out of the match day squad.
A pair of Eagles return to the backline with Bryce Campbell at inside center and Will Magie in at fullback. Mack Mason moves to flyhalf, Rodrick Waters starts on the left wing, and David Still makes his first MLR start at outside center. Kurt Morath and Frank Halai miss out with injury.
Austin have been the better side over the course of the season and were on a four-game win streak prior to the LA defeat. Meanwhile Old Glory impressed against the Legion and are bolstered by their Eagles contingent. With steamy temperatures expected the stronger AG bench gives them a slight advantage despite playing on the road.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 2pm Pacific, 4pm Central. Local broadcasts will be available on KBVO in Austin and NBC Sports Washington, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai, 3 Steven Longwell, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Api Naikatini, 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 7 Mungo Mason (capt.), 8 Josh Brown, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Jason Robertson, 11 Mike Dabulas, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Renata Roberts-Te Nana, 14 D’Montae Noble, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson
Replacements: 16 James King, 17 Hannibal Vaivao, 18 Dante Lopresti, 19 Casey Renaud, 20 Dacoda Worth, 21 Danny Thomas, 22 Thretton Palamo, 23 Owen Sheehy
AUSTIN GILGRONIS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Hugh Roach, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Isaac Ross, 5 Sebastian de Chaves, 6 Dominic Akina, 7 Michael de Waal, 8 Locky McCaffrey, 9 Pele Cowley, 10 Mack Mason, 11 Rodrick Waters, 12 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 13 David Still, 14 Nick Johnson, 15 Will Magie
Replacements: 16 Brendan Rams, 17 LaRome White, 18 Paddy Ryan, 19 Cam Dodson, 20 Dom Bailey, 21 Sidney Shoop, 22 Ned Hodson, 23 Zinzan Elan-Puttick
Date: Saturday, July 17
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 17:00 local (14:00 Pacific, 16:00 Central)
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Mike O’Brien (USA) & Gavin McCandless (USA)
Broadcasts: KBVO, NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2020-02-09 – Austin Gilgronis 19, Old Glory DC 28 (Toyota Field)
