Old Glory DC Hosts Rugby New York in Home Finale

Old Glory DC hosts Rugby New York in their final home match of the regular season at 2:30 pm at Leesburg, Virginia. It is Military Appreciation Day and teams will be wearing specialty jerseys that may be bid on for auction. Tickets are still available and the match will be broadcast on NBC Sports Washington and streamed internationally on The Rugby Network.

The match festivities include a meet and greet with former Old Glory and Springbok legend Tendai ‘Beast’Mtawarira at the Veterans Moving Forward tent from 11:45 to Noon, as well as at the VIP area at 1 p.m. On the Concourse, Premier Rugby sevens will be there to promote their July 16th tournament stop at Audi Field in Washington D.C. Preceding the match, Young Old Glory Under-23s will play New York Foundry at noon and NOVA Women’s D1 Team will be honored for their second consecutive National Championship at halftime of the MLR match.

Rugby New York defeated Old Glory 35-31 in Hoboken, New Jersey on April 3. Since then, Interim head coach Nate Osborne has had the DC team believing they can win and has played an exciting brand of attacking rugby.

Old Glory DC

Nate Osborne was in attendance in Hoboken when Rugby New York played Old Glory DC, after just arriving from Australia. The next day, was his first day as head coach ahead of the 10th week of the MLR season with the team’s record being 0-8. Nate is known as a players’ coach and the team has responded by stepping up their attack and competitive performance since his arrival. The team has won twice and if the team could have finished in the closing minutes, the results against the Free Jacks and SaberCats might have been different.

Nate has made five changes in the starters and another in the reserves with Stan South at lock in place of Api Naikitini who was suspended for 3 weeks for a red card against the SaberCats, and Kyle Stewart, Luke Campbell, Felix, Falapu, and Doug Fraser returning as starters at tighthead prop, eight-man, blindside flanker and at the outside center, respectively. Josh Brown also joins the matchday roster in a 6/2 split of forwards to backs. Positional changes include Junior Sa’u moving to left-wing and William Talataina to #12 from #13.

Last week, the team’s match against the Houston SaberCats resulted in a 42-59 loss and set a new MLR record for most points (101) scored in a match. Three of the Houston tries came in the last 6 minutes of the match for the win.

As a result of their performance in the match, both William Talataina and Renata Roberts-TeNana were named to the week 16 First MLR team. DC backs featured in scoring six tries in the loss. William Talataina and Renata Robert-TeNana each had a brace, while Peni Lasaqa and Junio Sa’u added solo ones. Rohan Saifoloi was perfect on the day, slotting 5 conversions, as the other try was scored under the posts.

Rohan Saifoloi is tied for 9th place in MLR points scored and 5th in kicking meters with 2777. Renata Roberts-TeNana is 5th in ball carry meters and Peni Lasaqa is tied for 5th place for tries scored with 8. Cory Daniel is 2nd in tackles with 213, while Stan South is 9th with 173.

In a last-minute change, Danny Thomas replaces John LeFevre in the matchday squad.

Rugby New York

Rugby New York enters the match in third place in the Eastern Conference and a win will secure a spot in the playoffs. The team places an expansive style of rugby and will be looking to perform at their best ahead of the final match of the regular season on the road against Eastern Conference leader, the New England Free jacks.

New York also has several MLR player statistical leaders with Jack Heighton 7th in points scored with 67. Ed Fidow is tied for 3rd place with 9 tires and is 3rd for ball carry meters with 1431. Brendon O’Connor is 10th in tackles with 168.

During the week, Australian rugby legend Quade Cooper attended practice and worked with the team and the Academy.

Head Coach Marty Veale has made 7 changes in the starters and another in the reserves after their 38-3 loss to Rugby ATL last Sunday with a squad depleted by illness. The suspension of Will Tucker for 4 weeks because of a red card last Sunday, is a loss and means a change of locks with captain Nate Brakeley back. Kaleb Geiger swaps places with Dylan Fawsitt at hooker and Kalolo Tuiloma returns at tighthead after a week’s rest.

Backs changes include a halfback combination of Conor McManus and Sam Windsor, with Jason Emery and Waisake Naholo returning at inside center and right-wing, respectively. Andy Ellis is the third former All Black Rugby World Cup Champion as a reserve flyhalf.

New York knows that they need to secure a win to clinch a playoff spot, but will be looking for an impressive performance to gain a bonus point as well.