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It’s a crucial Eastern Conference clash in Mount Vernon that wraps up Round 12 on Sunday. The New York Ironworkers need a win at home to avoid falling behind in the playoff race, with the visiting NOLA Gold one of the teams currently ahead of the defending champions.
New York enter the match on a three-game losing streak and failed to score any points at all against New England last weekend. Injuries have played their part and two more bodies went down at Fort Quincy though three others return to the lineup this week.
With Nic Mayhew still sidelined it’s another week for Kaleb Geiger at tighthead prop. Pago Haini is out so Kara Pryor moves to No8, with Brad Tucker returning on the blindside flank. Ben Bonasso is also fit though the Eagles flanker settles for a spot on the bench.
In the backline it’s the halfbacks that have changed. Conor McManus damaged an ankle in Boston so Connor Buckley wears the No9 shirt, with Cristian Rodriguez providing cover. Jason Emery has recovered from a head knock to return at flyhalf with Sam Windsor dropping to the bench.
Consistency has been the biggest issue for the Gold this season but they have secured back-to-back victories. Toronto posed little challenge in New Orleans and it’s a similar selection this week with the changes mostly necessitated by injury and suspension.
All of them come up front. Pat O’Toole’s concussion means that Matt Harmon is needed as backup hooker. Jarred Adams moves across to loosehead prop, with Sean Paranihi returning at tighthead. It’s a new second row pairing with Cam Dolan and Billy Stewart starting, and William Waguespack dropped to the reserves despite a strong performance against the Arrows.
Maciu Koroi’s suspension sees further reshuffling in the back row. Malcolm May comes in on the blindside flank, and Moni Tonga’uiha at No8. Hooker Alex Lopeti is asked to provide emergency cover. Jordan Trainor is fit to resume duties but the first choice fullback will be eased back in as a replacement.
The weather forecast is a good one with warm and partly cloudy conditions. New York will feel a little more complete with Tucker, Emery, and Bonasso available but their form has been shaky all season. NOLA won by a landslide when they met in March, and arrive with greater confidence. The visitors enter as favorites but don’t write the Ironworkers off just yet.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 2pm Central, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on the MSG Network in New York and YurView Louisiana, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Monate Akuei, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Jason Emery, 11 Teofilo Fidow, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Nick Feakes
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Benjamín Bonasso, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Brooklyn Hardaker
NOLA GOLD
1 Jarred Adams, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Sean Paranihi, 4 Cam Dolan (capt.), 5 Billy Stewart, 6 Malcolm May, 7 Devin Short, 8 Moni Tonga’uiha, 9 Luke Campbell, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Aaron Matthews, 12 Jordan Jackson-Hope, 13 JP du Plessis, 14 Ross Depperschmidt, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Matt Harmon, 17 Kevin Sullivan, 18 Dino Waldren, 19 William Waguespack, 20 Alex Lopeti, 21 Damian Stevens, 22 Harley Wheeler, 23 Jordan Trainor
Date: Sunday, May 7
Venue: Memorial Field, Mount Vernon
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 14:00 Central)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, The Rugby Network, YurView Louisiana
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Miles McIvor (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-03-12 – NOLA Gold 31, New York Ironworkers 5 (The Gold Mine)
2022-05-01 – Rugby New York 36, NOLA Gold 28 (JFK Stadium)
2022-03-19 – NOLA Gold 19, Rugby New York 30 (The Gold Mine)
2021-07-17 – Rugby United New York 32, NOLA Gold 35 (Belson Stadium)
2021-03-27 – NOLA Gold 51, Rugby United New York 28 (The Gold Mine)
2019-05-26 – Rugby United New York 24, NOLA Gold 22 (MCU Park)
2019-02-16 – NOLA Gold 24, Rugby United New York 27 (Archbishop Shaw Stadium)
