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Old Glory returns home on a three-game losing streak to host the New York Ironworkers on Sunday, a team they have never beaten. Despite sporting a 2-5 record, DC are only five points behind the defending champs on the Eastern Conference table and a win would put them right in the thick of the playoff hunt.
It’s bonus points and a dangerous attacking game that have allowed DC to stay within reach. Defensively, however, they remain among the league’s poorest performers. They were second-best in Atlanta last weekend and Josh Syms has opted to shake things up a bit in search of inspiration.
The most notable change is at flyhalf, where Tito Diaz Bonilla is on the bench for the first time this year. Gradyn Bowd gets the start in his place after coming on mid-way through the second half against ATL. On the wing there is a return for Junior Sa’u for the first time since the opening round of the season.
It’s a round of musical chairs in the back row. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz starts at blindside flanker for just the second time in DC colors with Langilangi Haupeakui handed his first club start at No8. Alejo Daireaux is the man to drop out of the starting lineup. Ramiro Herrera is absent entirely with Kyle Stewart getting the call at tighthead prop.
New York have also mixed things up but under different circumstances. The Ironworkers have won two in a row and sport the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Injuries have been a concern and have forced James Semple’s hand in some spots this week.
The good news is that Tevita Langi and Nic Mayhew are back in the lineup, with Langi getting his first start at loosehead prop. It comes without Chance Wenglewski, however, and there is also no place for Ben Bonasso or Joe Basser. The latter was a late withdrawal against the Arrows. Dylan Fawsitt will start play No8 with Kaleb Geiger switching to hooker. Kenyan flanker Monate Akuei has signed on from local club Old Blue and is set to make his pro debut from the bench.
There is just one change to the starting backline though it is significant. Jack Heighton is again sidelined after failing an HIA in Toronto so it’s Jason Emery who will take over at flyhalf. A second new face on the bench is Brooklyn Hardaker, the Australian winger who missed the entirety of the 2022 season with a knee injury after signing with LA.
A bright, sunny day is expected which is welcome for DC fans. It’s also good news for their high-flying back division but the question is whether the forwards can supply them with enough ball. New York were dominant in that regard when the two sides met in March and even without the likes of Wenglewski and Bonasso this is a formidable pack. Expect a closer match this time but the visitors are too strong up front to let this one slip.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on MASN in the nation’s capital and MSG Network in New York, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Collin Grosse, 5 Fintan Coleman, 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 7 Lautaro Bavaro, 8 Langilangi Haupeakui, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Gradyn Bowd, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Fermín Martínez, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Kurt Baker
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Cali Martinez, 19 Brady Daniel, 20 Alejo Daireaux, 21 John LeFevre, 22 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla, 23 Thretton Palamo
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Tevita Langi, 2 Kaleb Geiger, 3 Nic Mayhew, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Kara Pryor, 8 Dylan Fawsitt, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Jason Emery, 11 Quinn Ngawati, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Nick Feakes
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Monate Akuei, 21 Connor Buckley, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Brooklyn Hardaker
Date: Sunday, April 16
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: MASN, MSG Network, The Rugby Network
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Aaron Davis (USA) & Craig Sakowski (USA)
TMO: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-03-05 – New York Ironworkers 34, Old Glory DC 8 (Memorial Field)
2022-05-29 – Old Glory DC 49, Rugby New York 59 (Segra Field)
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)
