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Rugby New York have qualified for the playoffs without even taking the pitch thanks to Rugby ATL’s win over the Toronto Arrows. The result also means that New York now require a bonus-point win over Old Glory DC in Leesburg on Sunday to have any chance of a postseason home game, or even a direct line to the Eastern Conference Final.
A three-game winning streak came to a close with a brutal result at home against the Ratlers last weekend, though several New York players had been suffering from a short-term virus. It’s better news ahead of this week including a first glimpse at the new-look back three in its entirety.
Waisake Naholo joins former All Blacks teammate Nehe Milner-Skudder in the lineup, with Jason Emery also fit to resume at inside center. There is a change in the halfbacks with Conor McManus and Sam Windsor getting the start. Andy Ellis will cover flyhalf from the bench.
Nate Brakeley returns to skipper the side after getting married while away, and Kalolo Tuiloma is back in at tighthead prop. Kaleb Geiger runs out at hooker with Dylan Fawsitt settling for a spot among the reserves. Front row backup Wilton Rebolo is passed fit to play having exited the game early with a leg problem last weekend.
Old Glory were second-best in the record-setting match against Houston last Saturday. Heading into their final home game of the season they have dropped three games in a row, with 50 or more points conceded in back-to-back games. A significant step up in defensive commitment will be needed against New York.
Kyle Stewart rotates in at tighthead prop with Jake Ilnicki swapping to the bench. Api Naikatini is suspended but Stan South makes a timely return at lock. Felix Kalapu and Luke Campbell come into the back row at blindside flanker and No8 respectively. Club stalwart Josh Brown is handed a spot on the bench for what will be his first appearance of the season.
The backline is largely intact with only one personnel change. Doug Fraser starts in the midfield with Junior Sa’u pushing to the wing. Outside back John Rizzo is one of only two back reserves along with scrumhalf Danny Thomas.
It was a very close game, perhaps surprisingly so, when the two sides met at JFK Stadium in April. Since then New York have added firepower and while Old Glory have improved somewhat, their defensive shortcomings linger. DC will want to leave their home fans with a positive impression but when it comes down to business the visitors are simply the better side.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 11:30am Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on MSG Network in New York and NBC Sports Washington, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Mo Katz, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Stan South, 6 Felix Kalapu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Luke Campbell, 9 Danny Tusitala (capt.), 10 Rohan Saifoloi, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Doug Fraser, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Renata Roberts-Te Nana
Replacements: 16 Rob Irimescu, 17 Jake Ilnicki, 18 Will Vakalahi, 19 Dom Bailey, 20 Josh Brown, 21 Dacoda Worth, 22 Danny Thomas, 23 John Rizzo
RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Nic Mayhew, 2 Kaleb Geiger, 3 Kalolo Tuiloma, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Benjamin Bonasso, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Jason Emery, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Waisake Naholo, 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder
Replacements: 16 Dylan Fawsitt, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Wilton Rebolo, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Connor Buckley, 22 Andy Ellis, 23 Andrew Coe
Date: Sunday, May 29
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 14:30 local (11:30 Pacific)
Referee: George Selwood (England)
Assistants: Gavin McCandless (USA) & Aaron Davis (USA)
TMO: Kahlil Harrison (USA)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL BROADCASTS
2022-04-03 – Rugby New York 35, Old Glory DC 31 (JFK Stadium)
2021-05-30 – Old Glory DC 10, Rugby United New York 46 (Segra Field)
2021-04-18 – Rugby United New York 38, Old Glory DC 34 (Cochrane Stadium)
