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Last of the expansion sides to make their regular season debuts are the New England Free Jacks. Their Major League Rugby opener is the start of a classic sporting rivalry against Rugby United New York. It won’t take place in Boston, however, but rather the neutral venue of Las Vegas, a prelude to next weekend’s four-game lineup in Nevada.
After some mixing and matching in the preseason it’s all guns blazing for the Free Jacks. Donald Brighouse starts at loosehead prop giving New England two international props to start with Japan’s Kensuke Hatakeyama the anchor at tighthead. Josh Larsen makes his club debut as captain with big Brad Hemopo fit to take his place at No8.
There are five imports bolstering the backline. Former Ireland u20 rep John Poland runs out at scrumhalf with a pair of New Zealanders in the midfield in Sam Beard and Liam Steel. Powerful Fijian Poasa Waqanibau is on the wing with international sevens standout Beaudein Waaka at fullback. Mitch Wilson gets the nod ahead of Deion Mikesell on the left wing.
New York arrive in Vegas absent four potential starters due to visa delays but do feature their biggest off-season signing at outside center. Mathieu Bastareaud partners with Will Leonard in a heavyweight center combination with Chris Mattina pushing out to the wing.
Anthony Parry stands in for injured James Rochford at loosehead prop and Nate Brakeley makes a rare cameo on the blindside flank. On the bench there are four players set to make their RUNY debuts – props Jonas Petrakopoulos and Will Burke, and loose forwards Rob Irimescu and Julio Giraldo. The latter is the first Colombian player in league history.
With home field advantage cancelled out and travel also equal, this one comes down to personnel and preparation. New England opted to face no MLR opposition in the preseason while New York had a controlled scrimmage with the Arrows. Neither offer significant insight on form.
The advantage in MLR experience goes to the returning side. RUNY were Semi Finalists in 2019 and if they have post-season ambitions this year these are the matches they need to win. Man-for-man the Free Jacks can compete but continuity suggests this is New York’s game to lose.
Kickoff is set for 1pm local, 4pm Eastern. A local broadcast will be available in Boston on NESN with ESPN+ carrying the game nationwide. Those located outside the USA can access a live stream on the official MLR Facebook page.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Donald Brighouse, 2 Sean McNulty, 3 Kensuke Hatakeyama, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Naulia Dawai, 7 Zack Stryffeler, 8 Brad Hemopo, 9 John Poland, 10 Tadhg Leader, 11 Mitch Wilson, 12 Sam Beard, 13 Liam Steel, 14 Poasa Waqanibau, 15 Beaudein Waaka
Replacements: 16 Steven Hinshaw, 17 Simon Courcoul, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Conor Kindregan, 20 Owen Hundt, 21 Erik Thompson, 22 Timothée Guillimin, 23 Deion Mikesell
RUGBY UNITED NEW YORK
1 Anthony Parry, 2 Dylan Fawsitt (capt.), 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 Matt Wirken, 5 Trevor Cassidy, 6 Nate Brakeley, 7 James Denise, 8 Kyle Sumsion, 9 Marcus Walsh, 10 Cathal Marsh, 11 Connor Wallace-Sims, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Mathieu Bastareaud, 14 Chris Mattina, 15 Ben Foden
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Will Burke, 19 Rob Irimescu, 20 Julio Giraldo, 21 Mike Petri, 22 Harry Bennett, 23 Mark O’Keeffe
Date: Sunday, February 9
Venue: Sam Boyd Stadium, Las Vegas
Kickoff: 13:00 local (16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Assistants: Steve Gore (USA) & Austin Reed (USA)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, Facebook, NESN
