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The New York Ironworkers can formally book their place in the postseason by earning just a single competition point in Atlanta on Saturday. Last weekend’s win over NOLA combined with Rugby ATL’s loss to New England left ATL requiring a series of unlikely events to stay alive.
James Sample’s men are starting to show some form at the business end of the season with three wins in their last four outings. Though they can’t catch the Free Jacks for top spot in the East, the Ironworkers can still clinch home field advantage in the opening round of the playoffs with Old Glory just one point ahead heading into the weekend.
The most notable change to the lineup sees captain Nate Brakeley ruled out with an ankle injury. Dylan Fawsitt takes over the on-field leadership with Charlie Hewitt coming into the second row. Chance Wenglewski has recovered from HIA to start at loosehead prop, with Brendon O’Connor replacing Monate Akuei at openside flanker.
It’s an unchanged starting backline though there are two interesting selections on the bench. Star flyhalf Jack Heighton will be eased back in after two months on the sidelines with concussion. Center or wing Quinn Ngawati wears No19, a jersey normally reserves for second row subs.
ATL are on a four-game winless streak, with three straight losses following the draw against the Arrows. They would effectively need a miracle to qualify for the playoffs at this stage, but they can still slow New York’s progress and will want something for the fans to cheer for in the final home game of the season.
Only two personnel changes have been made to the starting lineup. Ross Deacon returns at the back of the scrum with Vili Helu switching back to his usual blindside flanker spot. Rewita Biddle is a significant loss to the backline with Austin White moving to fullback and Nolan Tuamoheloa coming in on the left wing for his first appearance in six weeks.
It will be a warm evening in Atlanta which may benefit the home side given they have six forwards in reserve while New York have brought only four. On form, however, ATL have been poor for the last month while the visitors arrive on a high. The home side should be considered clear underdogs and even if they manage to scrape out a win, they won’t stop the Ironworkers from getting a bonus point.
Kickoff is set for 8pm local time, 5pm Pacific. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming to those located in Canada and abroad.
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Sidney Tobias, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 12 Martini Talapusi, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Austin White
Replacements: 16 Isaac Bales, 17 Lincoln Si’i, 18 Will Burke, 19 Nahuel Milán, 20 Daemon Torres, 21 Connor Cook, 22 Niall Saunders, 23 Kurt Coleman
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Brendon O’Connor, 8 Pago Haini, 9 Connor Buckley, 10 Jason Emery, 11 Teofilo Fidow, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Brooklyn Hardaker, 15 Andrew Coe
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Nic Mayhew, 19 Quinn Ngawati, 20 Kara Pryor, 21 Conor McManus, 22 Sam Windsor, 23 Jack Heighton
Date: Saturday, June 10
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 20:00 local (17:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Dave Edwards (USA) & Bryan Hall (USA)
TMO: Greg Gilliam (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-04-02 – New York Ironworkers 31, Rugby ATL 20 (Memorial Field)
2022-06-11 – Rugby ATL 19, Rugby New York 26 (Silverbacks Park
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)
