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Three teams are now booked for the postseason and all eyes turn to Belson Stadium on Saturday afternoon to determine the fourth. Last weekend’s results have seen Rugby United New York take pole position to face Rugby ATL in the Eastern Conference Final, but the NOLA Gold have beaten the odds before and cannot be counted out.
A disappointing outcome for the Gold in Seattle has set extraordinary conditions for the Gold to advance. With a five-point deficit on the standings they must take a bonus-point win themselves while denying New York both the four-try and losing bonus. To top it off, they have to do so with a winning margin of 20 or more points to cover the tie-breaking criteria.
It’s a Herculean task but not impossible. NOLA, after all, put New York to the sword in their previous meeting this season. The Gold’s defense will need to produce an even greater effort, and the good news is the return of four key names from international duty to add steel to the forward pack.
Matt Harmon and Dino Waldren are restored at prop, while Cam Dolan packs down at lock in the continued absence of injured skipper Kyle Baillie. Malcolm May’s strong late-season form sees him retained on the blindside flank with Andrew Guerra back to challenge the breakdown at openside.
The only change in the backs sees Damian Stevens back into the starting scrumhalf spot with his speed of attack preferred to put points on the board early. Holden Yungert takes the finisher’s role along with rocket man Joeli Tikoisuva and the multi-talented Kyle Rogers.
New York’s blowout win over Houston saw them build not only a significant lead in points differential but also a virtually insurmountable gap in tries scored, the next criteria on the list should NOLA win by only 19 points. Even then there were signs of inconsistency as they faded badly in the second half.
The cavalry has arrived in the form of second row titans Nate Brakeley and Nick Civetta, with Hanco Germishuys taking up a spot on the flank. Dylan Fawsitt is fit to play despite sore ribs and there is strength in depth with James Rochford, Charlie Hewitt, and Evan Mintern lurking on the bench.
Conspicuously absent from the backline is Fa’asiu Fuatai though Canadian international Quinn Ngawati is back to fill the midfield gap. Chris Mattina is also ruled out which means Keanu Andrade could make his Major League Rugby debut as a replacement against the team he was acquired from just two weeks ago.
It’s a compelling match-up and the weather gods could yet have their say with brutally hot temperatures and a risk of thunderstorms on the forecast. NOLA must maintain their discipline with the boot of Dan Hollinshead looming as a potential match-winner, with the lineout duel between Eagles mates Civetta and Dolan worth the price of admission in itself.
The Gold have their own howitzer at their disposal in Carl Meyer, while the marauding back row trio spearheaded by a restless Moni Tonga’uiha gives hope to the NOLA faithful. New York’s fate could rest on Fawsitt’s ability to stay on the pitch, both for his sheer power of will and also his technical acumen in the set piece. The home side enter as favorites to advance but as LA can attest, anything can happen.
Kickoff is set for 2pm local time, 11am Pacific, 1pm Central. Local broadcasts will be available on Cox Sports TV in New Orleans and the MSG Network in New York, with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers worldwide.
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 Zak Taulafo, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Samu Tawake, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 Benjamín Bonasso, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Apenisa Cakaubalavu, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Joel Miranda, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Rob Irimescu, 17 James Rochford, 18 Kirk Hamilton, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Evan Mintern, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 Keanu Andrade
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Pat O’Toole, 3 Dino Waldren, 4 Cam Dolan (capt.), 5 Billy Stewart, 6 Malcolm May, 7 Andrew Guerra, 8 Moni Tonga’uiha, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 Timothée Guillimin, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Juan Cappiello, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 15 Carl Meyer
Replacements: 16 Kevin O’Connor, 17 Kevin Sullivan, 18 Brian Nault, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Giovanni Lapp, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Joeli Tikoisuva, 23 Kyle Rogers
Date: Saturday, July 17
Venue: Belson Stadium, Queens
Kickoff: 14:00 local (11:00 Pacific, 13:00 Central)
Referee: JP Doyle (England)
Assistants: Luke Rogan (USA) & Lex Weiner (USA)
Broadcasts: Cox Sports TV, MSG Network, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-03-27 – NOLA Gold 51, Rugby United New York 28 (The Gold Mine)
2019-05-26 – Rugby United New York 24, NOLA Gold 22 (MCU Park)
2019-02-16 – NOLA Gold 24, Rugby United New York 27 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
