Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s a pivotal Eastern Conference clash at Silverbacks Park on Saturday as Rugby ATL host Old Glory DC. Both teams sport losing records and as the league approaches the mid-point of the season, a defeat against a close rival could prove a major setback to hopes of making the playoffs.
ATL will hope that a return home and their peach-colored alternate jerseys can inspire a breakout from their three-game losing funk. They’ll have to do so without four key players as Tiaan Erasmus, Jason Damm, and Ryan Rees join Kurt Coleman on the sidelines this week.
Alex Maughan starts at hooker after making the shift early against New York following the injury to Erasmus. Jonas Petrakopoulos comes straight in at loosehead prop, with Ross Deacon makes his first start of the campaign at the back of the scrum. Reserve hooker Isaac Bales again awaits his pro debut after being an unused replacement in Mount Vernon.
Rowan Gouws steps in at scrumhalf with halfback partner Duncan van Schalkwyk his backup if needed. It’s a heavyweight midfield pairing as George Barton returns at inside center with Will Leonard shifting out one spot and Te Rangatira Waitokia named on the wing. Martini Talapusi is one of two back reserves alongside Seth Purdey.
Old Glory have lost two straight after the near-miss at home against NOLA and San Diego’s scoring spree last week. They enter the match with no specialist second rows with Kyle Baillie yet to arrive and Api Naikatini absent this week, but there is some good news with four players back in the picture and one new name in the match day squad.
Ramiro Herrera returns at tighthead prop after missing the trip to California in the only change to the starting pack. Kyle Stewart drops to the bench, where former Eagles No8 Langilangi Haupeakui is set to make his club debut. Loose forwards Fintan Coleman and Collin Grosse are again asked to fill in at lock.
The backline sees three changes, with the notable return of Kurt Baker from concussion at fullback. Marcos Young is back in on the wing in place of Mike Dabulas, and Fermin Martinez starts at inside center with Thretton Palamo dropping to the bench.
Rain and high humidity are on the menu, which could be a bad sign for the visitors. ATL have an extra forward in reserve and will fancy their much heavier scrum even in the presence of Herrera. The midfield pairing of Barton and Leonard suggests a direct approach.
DC do have an advantage in the kicking department via Tito Díaz Bonilla, but their lineout will be under immense pressure from Johan Momsen and Vili Helu. Though Old Glory get the slight nod in the form department, ATL’s lineup is better suited for the conditions. Give the favorites tag to the home side.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on MASN in the nation’s capital, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 2 Alex Maughan, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton, 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 11 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 12 George Barton, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Rewita Biddle
Replacements: 16 Isaac Bales, 17 Will Burke, 18 Wikus Groenewald, 19 Nahuel Milán, 20 Frederick Henry-Ajudua, 21 Daemon Torres, 22 Seth Purdey, 23 Martini Talapusi
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Ramiro Herrera, 4 Collin Grosse, 5 Fintan Coleman, 6 Lautaro Bavaro, 7 Alejo Daireaux, 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 11 Peni Lasaqa, 12 Fermín Martínez, 13 William Talataina, 14 Marcos Young, 15 Gradyn Bowd
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Kyle Stewart, 18 Cali Martinez, 19 Langilangi Haupeakui, 20 Brady Daniel, 21 John LeFevre, 22 Thretton Palamo, 23 Gradyn Bowd
Date: Saturday, April 8
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 18:00 local (15:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: MASN, The Rugby Network
Referee: Cam Stone (New Zealand)
Assistants: Dave Edwards (USA) & Bryan Hall (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-03-20 – Old Glory DC 13, Rugby ATL 27 (Segra Field)
2022-02-05 – Rugby ATL 55, Old Glory DC 22 (Silverbacks Park)
2021-06-26 – Rugby ATL 32, Old Glory DC 12 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-03-27 – Old Glory DC 30, Rugby ATL 23 (Segra Field)
2020-03-08 – Old Glory DC 31, Rugby ATL 29 (Cardinal Stadium)
