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The New England Free Jacks have signed Bay of Plenty flanker Joe Johnston on a two-year deal through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. Born and raised in New Zealand, the 22-year-old qualifies for the USA through his American mother, a native of Boston.
Johnston captained both the Bay of Plenty age-grade side and the New Zealand Schools Barbarians before graduating to senior provincial honors. He made his Mitre 10 Cup debut in October 2019 against Manawatu, and was named Player of the Year for the Ngāwhā, Bay of Plenty’s senior development side.
Earlier this year Johnston signed for the China Lions of Global Rapid Rugby, but managed only a single match against the Fijian Latui before the season was cancelled due to COVID-19. He will play for the Steamers once again in the 2020 Mitre 10 Cup before joining the Free Jacks in MLR.
New England is set to field an all-new starting back row trio in 2020, with Johnston joined by Tongan international Jack Ram and former South Africa u20 cap and Sharks captain Tera Mtembu. The Free Jacks have also added Junior All-American duo Jack Miller and Justin Johnson.
