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The second game of the double-header at The Snake Pit sees Rugby ATL playing host to Old Glory DC. While their positions on the table might be wide apart, the Ratlers have a score to settle with their guests having lost both previous encounters including their most recent at Leesburg in March.
ATL are currently at the top of the Eastern Conference and are the betting favorites to finish in first after their bonus-point win over the SaberCats last weekend. Since April 17 they have won seven of eight with their only misstep on the road to New York.
Kurt Coleman returns from a long-term injury absence but the flyhalf has to settle for a spot on the bench. Bautista Ezcurra instead partners Rowan Gouws in the halfbacks. It’s another backline reshuffle with Mark O’Keeffe partnering Robbie Petzer in the midfield. Te Rangatira Waitokia moves to the wing, and Austin White is handed a rare start at fullback.
There is just one change in the forwards as Marno Redelinghuys comes in at lock in place of Conor Keys, who has been released to the Canada squad. Johan Momsen is captain with both Matt Heaton and Rory van Vugt out injured. Adriaan Carelse is another notable absentee and it’s an unusual 4-4 split on the bench with only Vili Helu available to cover lock or loose forward.
Old Glory are still mathematically alive but are realistically looking ahead to next season. They do have the chance to play spoilers, however, and came close in their last two games against NOLA and New England. With two Eagles back in those odds may have improved, though three other key players are out.
Mike Sosene-Feagai is fit to resume at hooker with No8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz back from a three-game suspension. Api Naikatini starts at lock in place of Stan South, who is out with a season-ending knee injury, and Cory Daniel fills in for Callum Gibbins on the blindside flank.
The experiment of running Jason Robertson in the midfield has been shelved with the playmaker back in his usual No10 shirt. Mike Dabulas pushes back out to the wing with Sam Cusano returning to the bench. Doug Fraser has joined Keys in the Canadian group heading to the UK.
On paper this is a formidable DC outfit though their three absentees will be keenly felt. ATL will not miss South’s presence in the lineout, and may look to take advantage with their driving maul proving a brutally effective weapon this season. With more at stake and home field advantage the Ratlers are favorites but their guests are unlikely to go down without a fight.
Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 5pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on NBC Sports Washington and 11 Alive in Atlanta, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 Wikus Groenewald, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Connor Cook, 7 Ross Deacon, 8 Jason Damm, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Bautista Ezcurra, 11 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12 Robbie Petzer, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Austin White
Replacements: 16 Neethling Gericke, 17 Will Burke, 18 Manasa Saulo, 19 Vili Helu, 20 Sean Coughlan, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Sam Cowley
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jamie Dever, 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai, 3 Steven Longwell, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Api Naikatini, 6 Cory Daniel, 7 Mungo Mason (co-capt.), 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Jason Robertson, 11 Renata Roberts-Te Nana, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Thretton Palamo (co-capt.), 14 Mike Dabulas, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson
Replacements: 16 James King, 17 Jack Iscaro, 18 Dante Lopresti, 19 Casey Renaud, 20 Josh Brown, 21 Danny Thomas, 22 Sam Cusano, 23 D’Montae Noble
Date: Saturday, June 26
Venue: Lupo Family Field, Marietta
Kickoff: 20:00 local (17:00 Pacific)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Pete Chamberlain (USA)
Broadcasts: 11 Alive, NBC Sports Washington, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-03-27 – Old Glory DC 30, Rugby ATL 23 (Segra Field)
2020-03-08 – Old Glory DC 31, Rugby ATL 29 (Cardinal Stadium)
