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Two teams looking to bounce back from defeat will go head-to-head in Mount Vernon on Sunday afternoon when the Ironworkers host Rugby ATL. It was New York who took bragging rights last season, taking two of three meetings including the all-import Eastern Conference playoff match in Atlanta.
The Ironworkers have had an extra week to mull over their home loss against the Free Jacks, which was only marginally better than the blowout loss in New Orleans the week before. A response is required but James Semple has resisted wholesale changes with only three alterations to his starting lineup.
Hamish Dalzell is a straight swap for Charlie Hewitt at lock, with Joe Basser given his first start of the campaign at openside flanker in place of Kara Pryor. There is good news with Jack Heighton returning from injury to wear the No10 shirt. Conor McManus is also fit to play but settles for a spot on the bench with Connor Buckley retained at scrumhalf.
Stephen Brett has also watched his charges drop their last two outings. The first was at home against San Diego, and then last week on the road against Houston. Seven changes are made in an attempt to regain some confidence against a familiar foe.
The first choice pack are all present with Alex Maughan restored at loosehead prop and Justin Basson packing down beside Johan Momsen in the engine room. Vili Helu and Jason Damm are back at blindside flanker and No8 respectively. It’s a 5/3 split on the bench this week with reserve hooker Isaac Bales set to make his pro debut after returning from the USA Hawks tour of South America.
Ryan Rees comes in for Rowan Gouws at scrumhalf and Duncan van Schalkwyk stays at flyhalf with no sign of Kurt Coleman on the roster this week. Nolan Tuamoheloa gets his first start on the wing at the expense of Harley Davidson. Rewita Biddle returns from injury but it’s at fullback instead of the midfield where he lines up. There are two reserve centers in Canadian duo George Barton and Seth Purdey.
Some decent playing conditions are on the forecast though Mount Vernon has shown a tendency to be a bit gusty. Both teams are most at home keeping things fairly tight, though ATL might look to open things up a little more with Biddle back in the lineup.
Heighton is a key figure in New York’s attack while ATL will miss Coleman’s presence. It’s an otherwise even matchup and with neither side playing particularly well, the Ironworkers take the favorites tag with home field advantage.
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.
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Nic Mayhew, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Joe Basser, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Jack Heighton, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Nick Feakes
Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Jason Emery, 23 Quinn Ngawati
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Tiaan Erasmus, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Jason Damm, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 11 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Jack Shaw, 15 Rewita Biddle
Replacements: 16 Isaac Bales, 17 Will Burke, 18 Wikus Groenewald, 19 Nahuel Milán, 20 Ross Deacon, 21 Rowan Gouws, 22 George Barton, 23 Seth Purdey
Date: Sunday, April 2
Venue: Memorial Field, Mount Vernon
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, The Rugby Network
Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Assistants: Miles McIvor (USA) & Marty Steffens (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-06-11 – Rugby ATL 19, Rugby New York 26 (Silverbacks Park
2022-05-22 – Rugby New York 3, Rugby ATL 38 (JFK Stadium)
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)
