The Glendale Raptors host Rugby United New York on Friday, April 26 at Infinity Park. Kickoff is at 7:30 pm MT (9:30 pm ET) and is being broadcast on CBS Sports Network. Tickets are available for the match and the USA Women’s Eagles match vs the Barbarians that precedes it at 5 pm MT (7 pm ET). View Women’s Eagles Squad.
The match is an important one for both teams as they both seek a playoff spot. Glendale is in fifth place with a 5-3-2 record and with 33 points, while RUNY is in fourth place with an 8-2 record and 37 points.
Match Comments
Glendale Raptors Head Coach David Williams has made three changes in his starters with Malon Al-Jiboori, Ata Malifa, and Mika Kruse at flanker, flyhalf, and outside center, respectively. Brendan Daly shifts from flanker to lock. Blake Rogers and Campbell Johnstone join the matchday roster as reserves.
Rugby United New York Head Coach Mike Tolkin has made six changes in his starters with Dylan Fawsitt at hooker, Trevor Cassidy at lock, Matt Hughston at No.8, Marcus Walsh at scrumhalf, Will Leonard at inside center, and Mike St. Claire at wing. Alex MacDonald shifts from lock to flanker, Ben Foden from fullback to outside center, and Luke Hume from wing to fullback. Marcus Satavu makes his debut on the roster as a reserve.
The teams met on March 24 in Brooklyn with RUNY winning 31-19. RUNY was able to move the ball into the wide channel and win the scrummaging battle. The Raptors are one of the most explosive teams in the league and have generally earned bonus points as a result of scoring 4 or more tries. RUNY has averaged 4 tries per match, but despite their 8-2 record, have not earned four tries in a number of matches.
At Infinity Park the Raptors have a 4-1 record, while RUNY is 5-1 on the road. The team that minimizes penalties, controls set pieces, and keeps possession through phases, will likely win. Both teams will want to get an early lead and utilize their line speed on defense to minimize their opponent’s try scoring. The teams know what is at stake and expect an entertaining and close match.
Squads with Player Article Links
Glendale Raptors: 1 Noah Barker 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Marco Fepulea’i 4 Brendan Daly 5 Luke White (C) 6 Malon Al-Jiboori 7 Peter Dahl 8 Murphy Taramai 9 Shaun Davies 10 Ata Malifa 11 John Ryberg 12 Chad London 13 Mika Kruse 14 Harley Davidson 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson 16 Chad Gough 17 Blake Rogers 18 Kelepi Fifita 19 Kody O’Neil 20 Connor Cook 21 Carlo De Nysschen 22 Will Magie 23 Campbell Johnstone + Head Coach David Williams
Rugby United New York: 1 Anthony Parry 2 Dylan Fawsitt (C) 3 James Rochford 4 Trevor Cassidy 5 Nate Brakeley 6 Alex MacDonald 7 John Quill 8 Matt Hughston 9 Marcus Walsh10 Cathal Marsh 11 Mike St. Claire 12 Will Leonard 13 Ben Foden 14 Connor Wallace-Sims 15 Luke Hume 16 Mike Brown 17 Kirkland Hamilton 18 Chris Sullivan 19 Gavan D’Amore Morrison 20 Kyle Sumsion 21 Mike Petri 22 Harry Bennett 23 Marcus Satavu + Head Coach Mike Tolkin
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