Rugby New York vs NOLA Gold Match Preview

Rugby New York hosts NOLA Gold on Sunday, May 7 at Memorial Stadium in Mt. Vernon, New York. Kickoff is at 3 pm ET and tickets are still available. The match will be broadcast on MSG and Yurview, as well as streamed on The Rugby Network domestically and internationally.

Rugby New York is in fourth place in the Major League Rugby Eastern Conference with a 4-6 record and 23 points. They face second place NOLA Gold with a 5-5 record and 26 points. New England has a comfortable lead in first place with an 8-2 record and 38 points, while the fight for the second and third-place playoff spots is among four teams. Old Glory has a 4-5 record and 25 points and is currently in third place and Rugby ATL with a 4-5 record and 20 points is in fifth place.

Rugby New York Ironworkers

Rugby New York has made three changes to the starters and another two in the reserves. Brad Tucker returns at blindside flanker with Kara Pryor shifting to eight-man. Connor Buckley and Jason Emery start at scrumhalf and at flyhalf, respectively.

In the reserves, Ben Bonasso returns at the back row after a several-week absence due to injury, and Cristian Rodriguez is a scrumhalf.

For the Ironworkers, it is a critical match if they want to keep pace for a playoff spot in the very competitive Eastern Conference.

NOLA Gold

NOLA Gold has made four changes in the starters and another two in the reserves. The starter changes are all in the forwards with Sean Paranihi, Cam Dolan, Billy Stewart, and Malcolm May at tighthead prop, locks, and blindside flanker, respectively.

Both Alex Lopeti and Jordan Trainor return to the matchday 23 as a hooker and fullback, respectively.

Maciu Koroi will be out for three matches as a result of a clean-out disciplinary issue last week.

NOLA Gold comes into the match on a winning streak and will want to sweep the Ironworkers this season to continue in a playoff position.