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Rugby New York squares off against Rugby ATL on Sunday afternoon in a match of titanic importance to the Eastern Conference playoff race. A win for the home side would clinch their spot in the postseason and put them in arm’s reach of first place.
The stakes for the visitors are slightly more complicated. Toronto’s upset win over New England on Thursday puts the Arrows just two points back of the Ratlers. Should ATL lose, it would set up a dramatic contest between the friendly rivals in Atlanta next weekend.
Toronto looked down and out after back-to-back losses to Houston and New York, but a three-game slide from the Ratlers has opened the door. Stephen Brett has made seven changes in the hopes of breathing some life into his struggling side.
Alex Maughan tags in for Will Burke at loosehead prop, with Justin Basson returning to partner Johan Momsen in the engine room. The revolving door at No8 continues with Daemon Torres handed the jersey and Jason Damm left out entirely. John Sullivan provides tighthead prop backup in place of Lincoln Sii.
The halfbacks are also rotated again with Ryan Rees paired with Kurt Coleman this week. Austin White is back from a four-game hiatus to start on the wing, and George Barton takes over from the concussed Will Leonard at inside center. Club co-captain Ryan Nell once again settles for a spot among the reserves.
EDIT: Cole Davis will wear the No14 shirt, not Harley Davidson.
New York’s form is on the up with three wins on the trot, claiming a hard-fought result against Seattle last weekend. They now have their sights on catching the Free Jacks who are currently nine points ahead. A bonus-point win on Sunday could set the stage for a winner-take-all contest between the two in the final week of the regular season.
Sakaria Taulafo comes in for fellow Samoan international Kalolo Tuiloma at tighthead prop, with Brazil’s Wilton Rebolo back from a head knock to provide cover. Nick Civetta swaps in for Charlie Hewitt at lock, and injury to Kara Pryor sees Antonio Kiri Kiri getting his first Major League Rugby start at No8.
The menacing backline now features two All Blacks out wide with Nehe Milner-Skudder to make his club debut at fullback alongside Waisake Naholo. A late change sees Jason Emery ruled out with Quinn Ngawati stepping in at inside center. Sam Windsor joins Andrew Coe among the backs replacements.
Weather will be a factor with high temperatures and a risk of thunderstorms on the forecast. New York are in better form and the addition of Milner-Skudder adds firepower to an already formidable attack. ATL will need to recapture their defensive shape from earlier this season to have a chance on the road. Their earlier meeting in February went to New York and they retain the favorites tag at home.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on the MSG Network in New York, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Nic Mayhew, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Sakaria Taulafo, 4 Nick Civetta, 5 Will Tucker, 6 Benjamín Bonasso (capt.), 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Jack Heighton, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Quinn Ngawati, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Waisake Naholo, 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder
Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Wilton Rebolo, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Andrew Coe
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Connor Cook, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Daemon Torres, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Austin White, 12 George Barton, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Cole Davis, 15 Joaquín de la Vega Mendía
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 Will Burke, 18 John Sullivan, 19 Evan Mintern, 20 Vili Helu, 21 Rowan Gouws, 22 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 23 Ryan Nell
Date: Sunday, May 21
Venue: John F. Kennedy Stadium, Hoboken
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Referee: Marcus Playle (New Zealand)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Henrique Platais (Brazil)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-02-19 – Rugby ATL 31, Rugby New York 36 (Silverbacks Park)
2021-07-24 – Rugby ATL 10, Rugby United New York 9 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-06-13 – Rugby United New York 31, Rugby ATL 24 (Belson Stadium)
2021-04-11 – Rugby ATL 17, Rugby United New York 27 (Lupo Family Field)
2020-02-23 – Rugby ATL 19, Rugby United New York 22 (Lupo Family Field)
