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It’s another colossal contest on Sunday afternoon that will bring a close to Round 5 of the 2023 Major League Rugby season. The New York Ironworkers host the New England Free Jacks in a classic sporting rivalry and a rematch of the thrilling 2022 Eastern Conference Final.
These two sides know each other intimately. Four times they squared off last season, with two wins apiece. Notably it was the away team in each match that emerged victorious. New England hold the slight edge in overall historical results but undoubtedly New York hold bragging rights.
The Free Jacks are coming off a narrow victory in their home opener against Old Glory. It might have been a more convincing performance were it not for extremely poor discipline that has also resulted in a one-game suspension to second row Jesse Parete.
With captain Josh Larsen suffering a dislocated shoulder in the same match and Reegan O’Gorman already out with a bad knee, New England are down to just two fit locks in Semisi Paea and Conor Keys. Cam Davidowicz is rewarded for his strong form with a start on the blindside flank as Sam Fischli drops to the bench. The latter looks set to be called on as emergency second row cover if needed.
There is a welcome return for flanker Mitch Jacobson who will look to make an impact in the second half. The only other changes to the match day squad are in the front row reserves with Mills Sanerivi and Foster DeWitt in for Kianu Kereru-Symes and Tevita Sole. It’s an identical backline this week with Le Roux Malan still recovering from a broken thumb.
New York endured a miserable visit to New Orleans and came away with nothing to show for it except for a few extra bruises. James Semple has made four changes to the lineup with the hope that some fresh faces and a return to home base inspires a reaction from the defending champs.
There is good news with Nic Mayhew and Kara Pryor both shaking off bangs that forced them off against the Gold to stay in the lineup. Pryor moves to flanker with Pago Haini coming in at No8. Ben Bonasso also returns from a leg injury to start on the blindside as both Brad Tucker and Brendon O’Connor drop out of the side. Charlie Hewitt switches shirts with Hamish Dalzell to start at lock. Joe Basser is set for his first run of the campaign off the bench.
In the backline there is again no sign of Jack Heighton with Sam Windsor continuing at flyhalf. Jason Emery falls to the bench with Teihorangi Walden partnering Fa’asiu Fuatai in the midfield. Andrew Coe shifts to the wing, with ex-NOLA playmaker Nick Feakes set to make his club debut at fullback.
Brisk temperatures are on the forecast for Sunday afternoon but the weather looks otherwise benign. Home field advantage counts for little if anything. Neither was at the their best last week, though the Free Jacks did get a victory against a big loss for the Ironworkers. It’s temping to give New England the advantage on form but New York are not the Shield-holders for nothing. Expect a rebound from the champs in what should be a fierce engagement.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on the MSG Network in New York and NBC Sports Boston, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Nic Mayhew, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Charlie Hewitt, 6 Benjamín Bonasso, 7 Kara Pryor, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Ed Fidow, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Nick Feakes
Replacements: 16 Kaleb Geiger, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Hamish Dalzell, 20 Joe Basser, 21 Eamonn Matthews, 22 Jason Emery, 23 Quinn Ngawati
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Semisi Paea, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Cam Davidowicz, 7 Joe Johnston (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Jayson Potroz, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Wayne van der Bank, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Reece MacDonald
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Foster DeWitt, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Sam Fischli, 20 Mitch Jacobson, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Spencer Jones, 23 Taniela Filimone
Date: Sunday, March 19
Venue: Memorial Field, Mount Vernon
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Referee: Jack Gohl (USA)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Marty Steffens (USA)
TMO: Miles McIvor (USA)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-06-19 – New England Free Jacks 16, Rugby New York 24 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-06-03 – New England Free Jacks 14, Rugby New York 21 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-04-24 – Rugby New York 26, New England Free Jacks 29 (John F. Kennedy Stadium)
2022-03-06 – Rugby New York 29, New England Free Jacks 38 (John F. Kennedy Stadium)
2021-07-03 – New England Free Jacks 22, Rugby United New York 6 (Union Point Stadium)
2021-05-23 – Rugby United New York 29, New England Free Jacks 19 (Cochrane Stadium)
2020-02-09 – New England Free Jacks 34, Rugby United New York 14 (Sam Boyd Stadium)
