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It’s into the home stretch for the 2023 Major League Rugby campaign. With two-thirds of the regular season now in the books, every point matters for those seeking a spot in the playoffs. Rugby ATL are one of those teams, and while the Arrows are out of the picture they can still play spoilers when the two sides meet in Toronto on Friday night.
Despite sitting fifth on the Eastern Conference table, ATL are just four points behind third-place New York with a game at hand. Stephen Brett’s men have claimed three wins in their last four games though they couldn’t quite secure an important bonus point against Chicago on Saturday.
Two changes are made up front with Lincoln Si’i handed his first pro start at loosehead prop. Will Burke rotates to the bench to cover tighthead. Justin Basson is restored at lock with Jordan Brown returning as a replacement for what will be his first appearance since late March.
There is also a return to the squad for Austin White, who starts at fullback after a six-game absence. Rewita Biddle is left among the reserves. Niall Saunders gets his first ATL start at scrumhalf and Duncan van Schalkwyk takes over for the concussed Kurt Coleman at flyhalf.
All that’s left for the Arrows to play for this season is pride, and perhaps contracts for some players whose return remains in question. They are on a seven-game losing streak but did have a bye last week to try and sort out some of their problems.
Shay Kerry is a late withdrawal this week joining Gene Syminton and Mitch Eadie on the sidelines. Tyler Wong makes his first pro start at hooker with Mason Flesch moving in to the second row. James O’Neill comes in at openside flanker, with both Lucas Rumball and Travis Larsen making their 50th MLR appearances in the back row.
The in-form Ross Braude is left on the bench this week with Will Grant given the No9 shirt for the first time. Shane O’Leary moves to fullback with Peter Nelson taking over at flyhalf, an unconventional arrangement given the latter is vastly more experienced in the No15 shirt. Avery Oitomen starts on the left wing and there is a return from injury for midfielder Tautalatasi Tasi on the bench.
Weather will not be a factor with warm temperatures on the forecast. Matches between the two sides are historically close though Toronto haven’t beaten ATL since their first meeting in 2020. ATL were the slightly better side in the opening week but since then the Arrows have fallen well short of their target. Take the visitors as favorites against the beleaguered Canadian outfit.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 4pm Pacific. Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN 2 with The Rugby Network streaming to those in the USA or abroad.
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Lolani Faleiva, 2 Tyler Wong, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Mason Flesch, 5 Adrian Wadden, 6 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 7 James O’Neill, 8 Travis Larsen, 9 Will Grant, 10 Peter Nelson, 11 Avery Oitomen, 12 Noel Reid, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 D’Shawn Bowen, 15 Shane O’Leary
Replacements: 16 Ramón Ayarza, 17 Connor Grindal, 18 Isaac Salmon, 19 Mike Sheppard, 20 Owain Ruttan, 21 Ross Braude, 22 Tautalatasi Tasi, 23 Kobe Faust
RUGBY ATL
1 Lincoln Si’i, 2 Alex Maughan, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Niall Saunders, 10 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 11 Jack Shaw, 12 Martini Talapusi, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Austin White
Replacements: 16 Phil Thiel, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Will Burke, 19 Jordan Brown, 20 Frederick Henry-Ajudua, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 Rewita Biddle, 23 Seth Purdey
Date: Friday, May 12
Venue: York Lions Stadium, Toronto
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: The Rugby Network, TSN 2
Referee: Joe James (England)
Assistants: Peter Pender (Canada) & Clint Lemkus (Canada)
TMO: Andrew Hosie (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-02-17 – Rugby ATL 17, Toronto Arrows 10 (Silverbacks Park)
2022-05-28 – Rugby ATL 34, Toronto Arrows 23 (Silverbacks Park)
2022-04-02 – Toronto Arrows 14, Rugby ATL 20 (York Lions Stadium)
2021-05-08 – Toronto Arrows 29, Rugby ATL 33 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-03-20 – Rugby ATL 21, Toronto Arrows 14 (Lupo Family Field)
2020-03-01 – Rugby ATL 18, Toronto Arrows 28 (Lupo Family Field)
