RUNY host the Seattle Seawolves today at 4.30pm EST at MCU Park in Brooklyn. Tickets for the game are still available via RUNY’s store, while the game can be watched live on ESPN+, Root Sports and SNY.
Seattle Seawolves currently lie in sixth position in the standings however they are still just 1 point behind RUNY who are in fourth position. In fact, just 2 points separate Toronto Arrows in third position (43 points) and Seattle Seawolves in sixth position (41) meaning wins for either side could see them move into third position this weekend.
RUNY
RUNY announced a strong starting 15 yesterday with Ben Foden returning to full-back and Matt Hughston coming in at open side flanker. Ross Deacon will get another game under his belt following his lay up from injury as he slots back into number 8.
RUNY are currently 3 wins from 5, with 2 disappointing losses to San Diego Legion at home in MCU Park back in mid April and to the Raptors away on April 26th. For RUNY there has been a concerning lack of bonus point wins if they want to challenge to win the league. Recent games against the SaberCats and Austin Elite Rugby (who are the bottom two teams in the league) failed to materialise in bonus point wins for RUNY.
That being said, RUNY’s game management has been exemplary at times, through Cathal Marsh steering the ship with the experience of Ben Foden and Mike Petri also making good decisions throughout the season.
Seattle Seawolves
After a week off last week, the Seawolves have made 4 changes to their starting 15 since their game against the Arrows.
JP Smith moves back to scrum-half replacing Phil Mack while Ben Cima returns at out-half. In the forwards, Djustice Sears-Duru replaces Kellen Gordon at prop while Jeremy Lenaerts comes in for Taylor Krumrei.
Seattle suffered a heavy loss last week at the hands of the Toronto Arrows but they are still 3 wins from their last 5 games with an impressive one point win against the NOLA Gold in April.
Interestingly, Eric Duechle remains on the reserves bench for a second week in a row. With Duechle’s energy levels freakishly high, the thinking must be to bring him on as an impact player.
The return of Cima at out-half will add the stability needed to take on RUNY as this could be a technical battle given both teams proximity to each other in the standings.
This game could well be a tactical low scoring affair given that a playoff position is at stake. Both teams have advantages that could see them over the line. Seattle will be fresher having had a week off last week whereas the home advantage cannot be underestimated given the distance the Seawolves have travelled. On this occasion, I think the home advantage could be key.
Prediction: RUNY.
USRN 
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