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Rugby ATL host NOLA Gold at The Snake Pit on Friday night in the third edition of their classic southern derby. The Ratlers took both earlier results this season – in fact they have never been beaten by the Gold, winning all five contests between the two thus far.
A bonus-point win is all that is required for ATL to secure home field advantage in next week’s Eastern Conference Playoff against New York. Stephen Brett has opted to refresh his lineup after claiming a decisive victory over the Arrows last weekend.
There are five changes in the pack. The entire front row is swapped out with Will Burke, Tiaan Erasmus, and John Sullivan getting the start. Justin Basson and Connor Cook return at right lock and openside flanker respectively. It’s a 6/2 split on the bench with Evan Mintern an option at lock or loose forward.
Halfback rotation sees Rowan Gouws paired with Duncan van Schalkwyk. The latter will also provide backup at scrumhalf with no specialist available in reserve. Otherwise the backline remains the same though club co-captain Ryan Nell is fit to take up a spot as a replacement.
The Gold were soundly beaten by the Free Jacks last week and have just one win to show for in the second half of the campaign. Kane Thompson has made wholesale changes with eight personnel changes to the starting lineup and some positional switches.
James Irey is rewarded with a first start at tighthead prop in what will be his last game for the club before retirement. Pat O’Toole returns at hooker, and the new second row pairing is Cam Dolan with Billy Stewart. In the back row it’s a first start for Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, who comes in on the blindside flank and pushes brother Moni Tonga’uiha to No8.
With no Robbie Coleman this week it’s JP Eloff who moves up to flyhalf, with Kyle Rogers filling the gap at fullback. Ross Depperschmidt tags in for Aaron Matthews in the midfield, and both wingers Jack Webster and Kenneth Jinkins make their first starts while Joeli Tikoisuva could feature as a replacement having missed the entirety of the season to date.
Historical results, form, experience, and home field advantage all points to the Ratlers coming through this match without too much difficulty. Expect them to take this comfortably to set up another game at Silverbacks Park next week against New York.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 6pm Central, 4pm Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on YurView in New Orleans, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Will Burke, 2 Tiaan Erasmus, 3 John Sullivan, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Connor Cook, 8 Daemon Torres, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 11 Harley Davidson, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Austin White, 15 Joaquín de la Vega Mendía
Replacements: 16 Alex Maughan, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Lincoln Sii, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Evan Mintern, 21 Ross Deacon, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Ryan Nell
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Pat O’Toole, 3 James Irey, 4 Cam Dolan (capt.), 5 Billy Stewart, 6 Osaiasi Tonga’uiha, 7 Devin Short, 8 Moni Tonga’uiha, 9 Damian Stevens, 10 JP Eloff, 11 Jack Webster, 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Ross Depperschmidt, 14 Kenneth Jinkins, 15 Kyle Rogers
Replacements: 16 Alex Lopeti, 17 Kevin Sullivan, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Malcolm May, 21 Devereaux Ferris, 22 Aaron Matthews, 23 Joeli Tikoisuva
Date: Friday, June 3
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 18:00 Central)
Referee: Marcus Playle (New Zealand)
Assistants: Cisco Lopez (USA) & Henrique Platais (Brazil)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network, YurView
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-09 – NOLA Gold 17, Rugby ATL 34 (The Gold Mine)
2022-02-12 – NOLA Gold 9, Rugby ATL 14 (The Gold Mine)
2021-06-05 – NOLA Gold 7, Rugby ATL 8 (The Gold Mine)
2021-04-24 – Rugby ATL 38, NOLA Gold 28 (Lupo Family Field)
2020-02-16 – NOLA Gold 10, Rugby ATL 22 (The Gold Mine)
