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Old Glory DC takes their first steps without Andrew Douglas at the helm when they face Rugby New York at JFK Stadium on Sunday. Newly-hired Interim Head Coach Nate Osborne will be in attendance but it’s been up to assistants Callum Gibbins and James Willocks to prepare the team this week.
The coaching change should relieve at least some of the pressure with any forward momentum at this point a step in the right direction from Old Glory 0-7 start. They won’t be reinventing the wheel but there are two changes to the starting lineup, both in the forwards.
Uruguayan international Facundo Gattas gets his first Major League Rugby start at hooker after joining the club a week ago. Cory Daniel comes in on the flank with Tevita Naqali moving up into the second row. Api Naikatini drops to the bench.
Among the reserves Jack Carroll will cover loosehead prop this week after missing out on a potential first start against NOLA. Danny Thomas is the only reserve halfback with former Eagles midfielder Thretton Palamo set to make his first appearance of the season.
A late try saw New York falling to Toronto last Sunday and they will have no intention of losing a second straight fixture at home. Marty Veale has rung the changes with seven of last week’s starters reserves or missing entirely this week.
Connor Buckley and Sam Windsor are the new halfbacks, the latter set to make history as the first player to reach 50 MLR starts in his career. Jason Emery is restored at inside center with Quinn Ngawati dropping to the bench.
Up front it’s all change in the front row as Nic Mayhew, Dylan Fawsitt, and Wilton Rebolo start. Mayhew has reverted to his preferred loosehead prop position after playing the first four games of the season at tighthead. Charlie Hewitt comes in at lock with Will Tucker sliding to the blindside flank. Benjamín Bonasso is at No8 with Kara Pryor the odd man out.
Both of last season’s meetings between the two sides went to New York, the second a one-sided result at Segra Field. On form there is no contest. Old Glory remain without suspended duo Felix Kalapu and Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz who will be sorely missed against a formidable New York pack. Take the home side to bounce back from last week’s defeat.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. The Rugby Network will provide a live stream to viewers worldwide, with a delayed broadcast available on NBC Sports Washington.
RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Nic Mayhew, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 6 Will Tucker, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Benjamín Bonasso, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Jason Emery, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Troy Lockyear
Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Zak Taulafo, 19 Kara Pryor, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Andy Ellis, 23 Quinn Ngawati
OLD GLORY DC
1 Kyle Stewart, 2 Facundo Gattas, 3 Jake Ilnicki, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Stan South, 6 Cory Daniel, 7 Dom Bailey, 8 Luke Campbell, 9 Danny Tusitala (capt.), 10 Mike Dabulas, 11 Doug Fraser, 12 Junior Sa’u, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Renata Roberts-Te Nana
Replacements: 16 Rob Irimescu, 17 Jack Carroll, 18 Dante Lopresti, 19 Apisai Naikatini, 20 Fintan Coleman, 21 Danny Thomas, 22 Jack Russell, 23 Thretton Palamo
Date: Sunday, April 3
Venue: John F. Kennedy Stadium, Hoboken
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Referee: Moe Chaudhry (Canada)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Miles McIvor (USA)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Washington (delayed), The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
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)
