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The New York Ironworkers will start the second half of their season with a home tilt against the Houston SaberCats on Sunday. It’s been a challenging start to the campaign for the defending champions and a strong one for the visitors, though both sides currently sit in second place in their respective conferences.
Injuries have played a significant role in New York’s 4-4 record though last Sunday’s loss to DC can simply be attributed to poor performance in the second half. James Semple will be hoping home field advantage can inspire his side though it will be a makeshift front row that squares off against the formidable SaberCats scrum.
Last week’s starting props Tevita Langi and Nic Mayhew are both ruled out so Sam Davies is asked to pack down on the loosehead side, with Kaleb Geiger again filling in at tighthead. Dylan Fawsitt returns to his usual hooker spot as Monate Akuei makes his first Major League Rugby start in the back row.
The only chance to the starting backs is at fullback where Sam Windsor replaces Nick Feakes. Paraguayan prop Enrique Quinteros is called up to the bench along with two newcomers. Ex-Lindenwood lock Bill Whiteside is set for his pro debut after playing with the USA Hawks, and former LA scrumhalf Cristian Rodriguez is at last ready to make his first appearance in a New York shirt.
Houston added one to their win column in a tough Texan derby against Dallas last Saturday. They are now just four points back of San Diego in the Western Conference and have nudged ahead of playoff contenders Seattle and Utah. There is just two chances to the run-on side this week, with Gideon van Wyk notably out due to suspension.
Malon Al-Jiboori is handed the No8 shirt and the vacant import slot goes to Wynand Grassmann, who forms an imposing flanker combination with Marno Redelinghuys. Danny Barrett is named on the bench where Keni Nasoqeqe returns from a give-game absence. New addition Devereaux Ferris provides cover for starting scrumhalf Carlo de Nysschen.
A sunny afternoon is expected which should bring with it a strong partisan crowd. New York are adapting to life without Jack Heighton but it’s up front which will be a concern against a heavyweight Houston pack. The SaberCats have continuity and form on their side, and an extra day’s rest to boot. Take the visitors as favorites with the home side scrambling to salvage a losing bonus point.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 1:30pm Central, 11:30am Pacific. Fox Sports 1 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers abroad.
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Sam Davies, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Monate Akuei, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Jason Emery, 11 Quinn Ngawati, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Sam Windsor
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Anthony Parry, 18 Enrique Quinteros, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Bill Whiteside, 21 Cristian Rodriguez, 22 Nick Feakes, 23 Brooklyn Hardaker
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Rob Cobb, 2 Dean Muir (capt.), 3 Morgan Mitchell, 4 Siaosi Mahoni, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Wynand Grassmann, 8 Malon Al-Jiboori, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 Vereniki Tikoisolomone, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 13 Dom Akina, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Drew Wild
Replacements: 16 Axel Zapata, 17 Alec McDonnell, 18 Pono Davis, 19 Keni Nasoqeqe, 20 Danny Barrett, 21 Emmanuel Albert, 22 Devereaux Ferris, 23 Zach Pangelinan
Date: Sunday, April 23
Venue: Memorial Field, Mount Vernon
Kickoff: 14:30 local (11:30 Pacific, 13:30 Central)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 1, The Rugby Network
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Paulo Duarte (Portugal) & Miles McIvor (USA)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-02-12 – Houston SaberCats 7, Rugby New York 10 (AVEVA Stadium)
2021-07-10 – Rugby United New York 54, Houston SaberCats 19 (Belson Stadium)
2020-03-01 – Houston SaberCats 23, Rugby United New York 31 (AVEVA Stadium)
2019-05-05 – Rugby United New York 21, Houston SaberCats 0 (MCU Park)
2019-03-02 – Houston SaberCats 8, Rugby United New York 35 (Constellation Field)
