Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
A match of critical importance to the playoff picture takes place at MCU Park on Saturday where Rugby United New York play host to the Seattle Seawolves. Barring a draw, the winner of the match will jump into third place, at least temporarily, while the loser will be scrambling for points to make up the gap.
New York came away comfortable winners over Houston but did not secure the bonus point. There are just three changes to their starting lineup with two in the forwards. Both of last week’s flankers – Alex MacDonald and Kyle Sumsion – drop to the bench with Matt Hughston and John Quill taking their place.
In the backs there is a welcome return for Ben Foden at fullback, with Harry Bennett swapping to the reserves. Otherwise it’s business as usual with much resting on the direction of halfbacks Mike Petri and Cathal Marsh.
Seattle had a week off and come back with side rested and ready for battle. Only two changes are made to the run-on side as Jérémy Lenaerts comes in at lock for Taylor Krumrei and Ben Cima returns at flyhalf with JP Smith moving to his preferred scrumhalf role and Phil Mack named on the bench.
There is one other change to the match day squad and it is significant. US Eagles star Samu Manoa is named among the reserves and is set to make his Major League Rugby debut as an impact sub. The Seawolves will ease their new arrival back into action, with Manoa’s last competitive outing in December for Cardiff Blues.
Given the standings it might be easy to assume these are two evenly matched sides but that doesn’t tell the full story. New York have struggled with injuries of late and though many of their best are back, they are short of 100%. If Seattle’s starting lineup isn’t strong enough, the depth on their bench with the likes of Manoa and Mack is certainly intimidating.
Defeat in Toronto aside, Seattle have been ramping up their performance in the business end of the season and the defending champions are not the types to lose two in a row lightly. Look for their impressive reserves to make a difference in the final quarter and lead the Seawolves to a road win over a defiant New York side.
Kickoff is set for 4:30pm local time, 1:30pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on Root Sports in Seattle and SNY in New York. ESPN+ will carry the game nationwide, with a Facebook stream available for those outside the USA.
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 James Rochford, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Trevor Cassidy, 5 Nate Brakeley, 6 Matt Hughston, 7 John Quill, 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Mike Petri (capt.), 10 Cathal Marsh, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Mark O’Keeffe, 14 Mike St. Claire, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Sean McNulty, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Chris Sullivan, 19 Alex MacDonald, 20 Kyle Sumsion, 21 Marcus Walsh, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 Luke Hume
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Djustice Sears-Duru, 2 Stephan Coetzee, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Api Naikatini, 5 Jérémy Lenaerts, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Nakai Penny, 8 Riekert Hattingh, 9 JP Smith, 10 Ben Cima, 11 Sequoyah Burke-Combs, 12 Shalom Suniula (capt.), 13 Roland Suniula, 14 Brock Staller, 15 Mat Turner
Replacements: 16 Dan Trierweiler, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Ryan Youngman, 19 Samu Manoa, 20 Eric Duechle, 21 Phil Mack, 22 George Barton, 23 Dion Crowder
Date: Saturday, May 11
Venue: MCU Park, Brooklyn
Kickoff: 16:30 local (13:30 Pacific)
Referee: Scott Green (USAR)
Assistants: Mike O’Brien (USAR) & Jake Still (USAR)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Facebook, Root Sports, SNY
