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The two largest cities in America will dance together on a rugby pitch for the first time on Sunday. Rugby United New York will host the LA Giltinis at Jersey City’s Cochrane Stadium with the newly-minted ‘Champagne Cup’ on the line. It’s a titanic mid-season clash between the two conference leaders. Could it be a preview of the Championship Final?
Both teams were in action on the West Coast last weekend. New York rebounded from their record defeat against Toronto to score a come-from-behind win over the Seawolves in Seattle. They will need to summon greater powers from within to match the Giltinis, and will be hoping a big name arrival can provide the inspiration.
Juan Manuel Leguizamón comes straight into the side at No8 for his first professional game since Rugby World Cup 2019. The former Pumas star replaces Evan Mintern in one of two changes to the pack. Captain Dylan Fawsitt comes back in at hooker with Wilton Rebolo dropping to the bench.
There are two more changes in the outside backs. Luke Hume and Ben Foden make way for Joel Miranda and Troy Lockyear at wing and fullback respectively. It’s a 6-2 split on the bench with Charlie Hewitt adding lock support beside back rows Kyle Sumsion and Benjamín Bonasso.
LA remains unbeaten after another one-sided result last Saturday at the Coliseum. Old Glory were the victims. A promising opening for the visitors was quickly erased from memory as the Giltinis poured on 33 unanswered points before halftime. Darren Coleman has named his strongest available lineup though there are two notable absentees.
Matt Giteau will not face the Jersey turf, with Luke Carty instead tasked with steering the ship at No10. The backline is otherwise unchanged with Watson Filikitonga called in among the reserves to act as midfield cover. Luke Burton will shift to flyhalf if required.
Up front there are three changes. Mahe Vailanu was battered against DC so it’s a first start in LA colors for Lindsey Stevens at hooker. In the back row Angus Cottrell and Adam Ashe return to the run-on side with Corey Thomas and Langilangi Haupeakui waiting in reserve.
EDIT: A late change sees JP Smith missing out with Blake Rogers starting at loosehead prop. Mafi Seanoa is set to make his professional debut as a replacement.
New York will be hoping the long haul from Southern California wears the Giltinis out, and that Leguizamón remembers his old self sooner than later. The absence of Giteau and Vailanu is also cause for optimism but LA remains the best team in MLR with or without.
Kickoff is set for 1pm local time, 10am Pacific. A local broadcast will be available in Southern California on Bally Sports West, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide. MSG Network will air a delayed broadcast on Monday morning.
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Zak Taulafo, 4 Nate Brakeley, 5 Nick Civetta, 6 Hanco Germishuys, 7 Kara Pryor, 8 Juan Manuel Leguizamón, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Dan Hollinshead, 11 Quinn Ngawati, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Joel Miranda, 15 Troy Lockyear
Replacements: 16 Wilton Rebolo, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Samu Tawake, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Benjamín Bonasso, 22 Conor McManus, 23 Harry Bennett
LA GILTINIS
1 Blake Rogers, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Charlie Abel, 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Angus Cottrell, 7 Christian Poidevin, 8 Adam Ashe, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Luke Carty, 11 DTH van der Merwe, 12 Luke Burton, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Glenn Bryce
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Frikkie de Beer, 18 Mafi Seanoa, 19 Corey Thomas, 20 Langilangi Haupeakui, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Watson Filikitonga, 23 Ryan James
Date: Sunday, May 9
Venue: Cochrane Stadium, Jersey City
Kickoff: 13:00 local (10:00 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Miles McIvor (USA)
Broadcasts: Bally Sports West, MSG Network (delayed), The Rugby Network
Historical Results
n/a
