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The honor of challenging the New England Free Jacks for the Eastern Conference title next weekend will go to the winner of Sunday’s match at Memorial Field. Old Glory DC arrive in Mount Vernon to take on the New York Ironworkers in a fascinating clash between two sides who finished the regular season dead even in competition points.
It’s fair to say that Old Glory were not at their best when they last appeared at this venue in March. New York were comprehensive winners on that day, but a little over a month later a much-improved DC side got the better of the Ironworkers and strong recent form gives the visitors reason to be confident.
Josh Syms has named a familiar lineup with the one notable change in the back row. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz makes his full return but on the blindside flank, with Niko Jones instead packing down at the back of the scrum. Six forwards are held in reserve with both Alejo Daireaux and Langilangi Haupeakui providing loose forward cover.
In the backline there is a return for Kurt Baker from a hamstring injury, but there is no sign of Peni Lasaqa. Marcos Young lines up on the right wing with the rest as expected. Notably there is no specialist scrumhalf reserve on the bench with John LeFevre absent. Midfielder Thretton Palamo and winger John Rizzo are the only alternate options for the backline.
James Semple’s men enter off a disappointing home defeat to Utah, a team that ultimately missed out on the postseason. They remain without regular captain Nate Brakeley, and are also without injured trio Nic Mayhew, Jack Heighton, and Andrew Coe.
The loss of Coe is significant with Sam Windsor filling in at the fullback position. Teofilo Fidow returns on the left wing in a boost to the side, with Connor Buckley preferred over Conor McManus at scrumhalf. Jason Emery continues to fill in for Heighton at flyhalf.
Charlie Hewitt again partners Hamish Dalzell at lock in Brakeley’s absence. Brad Tucker shifts back to the blindside flank with Kara Pryor dropping to the bench. Sam Davies is the backup tighthead and Monate Akuei is fit to rejoin the match day squad but settles for a replacement role.
Conditions should be near-perfect at game time and DC will be hoping a strong contingent of their fans make the trip up the I-95. New York have had mixed fortunes on their home turf but Old Glory have struggled on the road. In terms of relative strength the home side are slightly closer to full power, with Lasaqa and Tito Díaz Bonilla the most significant absentees.
New York’s strength in the tight-loose and preference to attack up the middle contrasts DC’s more ambitious attacking game that focuses on the wide spaces. Neither Emery or Gradyn Bowd are known for prodigious tactical kicking abilities but both frequently look to put the ball into space just behind the defensive line.
At the set piece New York will look to exert their dominance, though they will have to account for Kyle Baillie’s presence at the lineout. DC might choose to target the relatively inexperienced Buckley with Lautaro Bavaro a prime candidate to disrupt.
Three factors shift the favorites tag slightly in favor of the Ironworkers. Home field is one, though more significant is the big game experience of the defending champions. This will be DC’s first experience in knockout rugby. Windsor’s boot off the tee is another, with a clear advantage over Bowd in that regard. Expect a close contest whichever way the pendulum swings.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers in Canada and abroad.
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Jason Emery, 11 Teofilo Fidow, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Brooklyn Hardaker, 15 Sam Windsor
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Monate Akuei, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Quinn Ngawati, 23 Nick Feakes
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Kyle Baillie, 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 7 Lautaro Bavaro, 8 Niko Jones, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Gradyn Bowd, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Doug Fraser, 13 William Talataina, 14 Marcos Young, 15 Kurt Baker
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Cali Martinez, 18 Quentin Newcomer, 19 Collin Grosse, 20 Langilangi Haupeakui, 21 John Rizzo, 22 Thretton Palamo, 23 Alejo Daireaux
Date: Sunday, June 25
Venue: Memorial Field, Mount Vernon
Kickoff: 18:00 local (15:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Chris Assmus (Canada) & Cisco Lopez (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-04-16 – Old Glory DC 42, New York Ironworkers 31 (Segra Field)
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)
