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The Arrows will close out their 2022 campaign in front of home fans on Sunday as they welcome Old Glory to York Lions Stadium for the second time this season. In fact it’s the third time the two sides have met with Toronto continuing their perfect head-to-head results against DC.
There is no postseason to look forward to this year for the Arrows, who were formally eliminated from contention in last week’s loss to Rugby ATL. A win over DC would at least salvage a winning record for the year while a loss would leave them even.
Jamie Mackenzie will put on the boots one more time as the Canadian international turned commentator becomes the fifth player to start at scrumhalf for the club this season, and ninth to appear at the position including replacements. Ross Braude is among 13 injured Arrows. The only other change to the backline sees Gastón Mieres taking over for the Matthew Hood at fullback, with Conor McCann joining the bench in place of Mitch Voralek.
Up front the entire front row is rotated with Lolani Faleiva, Jack McRogers, and Tyler Rowland getting the start. Mike Sheppard is also ruled out with injury so Paul Ciulini starts at lock with Lucas Rumball assuming the captaincy. Kyle Baillie settles for a spot among the reserves with Tomás de la Vega joining Rumball on the flank. Marcello Wainwright provides back row cover.
Old Glory and interim coach Nate Osborne are also seeking a positive end to what has been a frustrating run. Since posting back-to-back wins in April it’s been four straight defeats, the last three conceding 50 or more points. Offense has not been a problem with 41 and 49 points scored respectively in the last two games but defense has certainly been questionable.
Rob Irimescu is recalled to the starting hooker role and Fintan Coleman is at No8 in the only two changes to the starting pack. Josh Brown bows out early and gives up his bench spot to a new name, Brady Daniel. The 22-year-old flanker joins brother Cory at DC, making the move from the American Raptors. Both brothers were standout collegiate wrestlers.
There are no changes to the starting backline, with just one among the reserves. John LeFevre takes the place of Danny Thomas as backup scrumhalf.
Perfect conditions are on the forecast and a strong crowd is expected. That will provide a boost to the Arrows, who already hold advantages in form and historical results. As long as Toronto doesn’t allow DC’s offense to run rampant this is their game to lose.
Kickoff is set for noon local time, 9am Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on NBC Sports Washington while viewers in Canada can watch on TSN 5 and their digital services. Those located elsewhere in the USA and abroad can watch on The Rugby Network.
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Lolani Faleiva, 2 Jack McRogers, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Tomás de la Vega, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Jamie Mackenzie, 10 Sam Malcolm, 11 Dennon Robinson-Bartlett, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Ueta Tufuga, 14 Johnny Sheridan, 15 Gastón Mieres
Replacements: 16 Andrew Quattrin, 17 Cole Keith, 18 Isaac Salmon, 19 Kyle Baillie, 20 Marcello Wainwright, 21 Sam Reimer, 22 Will Kelly, 23 Conor McCann
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Rob Irimescu, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Stan South, 5 Tevita Naqali, 6 Felix Kalapu, 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Fintan Coleman, 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 Mo Katz, 17 Jake Ilnicki, 18 Will Vakalahi, 19 Dom Bailey, 20 Dacoda Worth, 21 Brady Daniel, 22 John LeFevre, 23 John Rizzo
Date: Sunday, June 5
Venue: York Lions Stadium, Toronto
Kickoff: 12:00 local (09:00 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Moe Chaudhry (Canada) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Andrew Hosie (Canada)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network, TSN 5
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-09 – Toronto Arrows 32, Old Glory DC 27 (York Lions Stadium)
2022-02-26 – Old Glory DC 5, Toronto Arrows 29 (Segra Field)
2021-07-04 – Toronto Arrows 34, Old Glory DC 28 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-04-03 – Old Glory DC 19, Toronto Arrows 40 (Segra Field)
