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The road to the Shield begins in Atlanta on Saturday night. Rugby ATL host Rugby New York in the Eastern Conference Playoff that will determine who advances to face the regular season champion New England Free Jacks in the Conference Final.
It’s a match-up that has remained untouched by the controversy that has engulfed the West over the past week. The sting of the Ratlers remains fresh in the memory of the visitors, who were routed by 35 points just three weeks ago in Hoboken. Illness played its part but it was a comprehensive victory.
Of course New York can turn to their own dramatic success at Silverbacks Park in February. One of the highlights of the early exchanges in the season, it caught ATL off-guard sets the stage for a classic confrontation. A year ago, recall, a single point separated the two at Lupo Family Field with the Ratlers advancing to face the Giltinis in the Championship final.
There are many new faces for both combatants on this occasion but the rivalry remains. New York remains a step ahead in the face-to-face record with four wins from two. Home field to date has mattered little. Ferocity in close quarters has defined each of their encounters.
New York ended their regular season campaign on a high with a road win over the Free Jacks. Only five players remain in their place, however, as Marty Veale asks his star-studded backline to pay dividends.
Andy Ellis moves back to his preferred scrumhalf role with Jack Heighton fit to resume at flyhalf. The midfield duo of Jason Emery and Fa’asiu Fuatai are reformed, with Ed Fidow relegating Andrew Coe to the bench. Waisake Naholo and Nehe Milner-Skudder maintain their posts.
Dylan Fawsitt is in his familiar hooker spot after filling in on the flank in Quincy. Wilton Rebolo starts at tighthead prop, a late alteration with Kalolo Tuiloma named on the bench. Another surprise sees club captain Nate Brakeley among the reserves with Nick Civetta partnering Charlie Hewitt at lock. Benjamin Bonasso continues as skipper and returns to the flank alongside Brendon O’Connor. Kara Pryor notably remains sidelined with Antonio Kiri Kiri again at No8.
After a three-game slump that allowed the Toronto Arrows to creep back into postseason contention, the Ratlers returned to form and enter on a three-game winning streak. They scored 45 points against the Gold to 19 against last weekend, and Stephen Brett has retain his backline though the forwards are much-changed this week.
Alex Maughan and Marko Janse van Rensburg return to the front row, where John Sullivan continues at tighthead in the absence of the injured John-Roy Jenkinson. Matt Heaton captains the side at openside flanker after a week’s rest, with Connor Cook switching to the blindside. Having missed the last three games, Jason Damm is back at the No8 spot.
Despite it’s late start the forecast suggests hot and humid conditions. Both sides have strong benches though New York may claim some superiority in their tight five reserves. The loss of Jenkinson hurts ATL’s scrum, though the return of Damm’s powerful ball carrying at No8 is notable. New York will miss Pryor’s omnipresence in the loose.
There’s no question that the visitors have greater firepower out wide, but ATL’s rush defense is tailor-made to mitigate such threats. If the Ratlers can win the tactical battle and turn this into a war of attrition, they will fancy their chances for a result. If a favorite must be chosen the home side’s form combined with the psychological advantage of their most recent engagement tips the scales slightly in their direction.
Kickoff is set for 8:30pm local time, 5:30pm Pacific. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers abroad.
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 John Sullivan, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Connor Cook, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Jason Damm, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Austin White, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Harley Davidson, 15 Joaquín de la Vega Mendía
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Will Burke, 19 Evan Mintern, 20 Ross Deacon, 21 Duncan van Schalkwyk, 22 Ryan Nell, 23 George Barton
RUGBY NEW YORK
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Wilton Rebolo, 4 Nick Civetta, 5 Charlie Hewitt, 6 Benjamín Bonasso (capt.), 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Antonio Kiri Kiri, 9 Andy Ellis, 10 Jack Heighton, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Jason Emery, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Waisake Naholo, 15 Nehe Milner-Skudder
Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Nic Mayhew, 18 Kalolo Tuiloma, 19 Nate Brakeley, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Andrew Coe
Date: Saturday, June 11
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 20:30 local (17:30 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Federico Anselmi (Argentina) & Jack Gohl (Australia)
TMO: Nick Hannon (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-05-22 – Rugby New York 3, Rugby ATL 38 (JFK Stadium)
2022-02-19 – Rugby ATL 31, Rugby New York 36 (Silverbacks Park)
2021-07-24 – Rugby ATL 10, Rugby United New York 9 (Lupo Family Field)
2021-06-13 – Rugby United New York 31, Rugby ATL 24 (Belson Stadium)
2021-04-11 – Rugby ATL 17, Rugby United New York 27 (Lupo Family Field)
2020-02-23 – Rugby ATL 19, Rugby United New York 22 (Lupo Family Field)
