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A single bonus point is all that is required for the New York Ironworkers to book home field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs against Old Glory DC. Standing in their way are the Utah Warriors – a team they haven’t faced in two years – who are looking to take out their frustrations after being eliminated from the postseason by a last-second try against Chicago last weekend.
New York have won two in a row and four of their last five, with the defending champions trending upwards ahead of the postseason. James Semple has made just one change to the starting pack that defeated Rugby ATL last weekend, and there are three changes to the backline.
Brad Tucker switches to lock with Kara Pryor coming in on the flank and Hamish Dalzell the odd man out this week. Conor McManus takes over for Connor Buckley at scrumhalf, and Sam Windsor steps in for Andrew Coe at fullback. Ishmail Shabazz makes his first appearance of the season on the left wing.
Utah are playing for pride but can still play a spoiler role if they can beat New York on their home turf and prevent them from securing a bonus point. Greg Cooper’s men have shown improvement from a year ago and will be determined to end their campaign on a high to alleviate some of their disappointment.
Saia Uhila gets the start at lock with Onehunga Havili switching to the back of the scrum and Thomas Tu’avao dropping to the bench. Zion Going gets the call at scrumhalf in place of Connor McLeod, and injury sees Mika Kruse ruled out with Tyler Fisher taking the No13 shirt. Joe Mano is out this week so it’s a pro debut for Jesse Hamilton on the left wing.
Ideal conditions are expected at kickoff which sets the stage for an entertaining afternoon. New York have a clear target but will also want to continue their hot streak. Utah are coming to disrupt but their attack is diminished without Kruse and Mano. Give the favorites tag to the Ironworkers who should book a home game against DC at the bare minimum.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 1pm Mountain, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on the MSG Network in New York and both KMYU and the KSL Sports website in Utah, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Brad Tucker, 6 Kara Pryor, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Jason Emery, 11 Ishmail Shabazz, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Brooklyn Hardaker, 15 Sam Windsor
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Nic Mayhew, 19 Hamish Dalzell, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Connor Buckley, 22 Quinn Ngawati, 23 Nick Feakes
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Olive Kilifi, 2 Henry Bell, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Saia Uhila, 5 Jamie Lane, 6 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 7 Lance Williams, 8 Onehunga Havili, 9 Zion Going, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Jesse Hamilton, 12 Calvin Whiting, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Caleb Makene, 15 Cliven Loubser
Replacements: 16 Joey Backe, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Angus MacLellan, 19 Jurie van Vuuren, 20 Thomas Tu’avao, 21 Jeremiah Noaese, 22 Connor McLeod, 23 Logan Tago
Date: Sunday, June 18
Venue: Memorial Field, Mount Vernon
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 13:00 Mountain)
Broadcasts: KMYU, KSL Sports, MSG Network, The Rugby Network
Referee: Joe James (England)
Assistants: Miles McIvor (USA) & Marty Steffens (USA)
TMO: Greg Gilliam (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-06-19 – Rugby United New York 28, Utah Warriors 29 (Cochrane Stadium)
2019-04-20 – Rugby United New York 24, Utah Warriors 22 (MCU Park)
2019-03-08 – Utah Warriors 21, Rugby United New York 47 (Zions Bank Stadium)
