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The New England Free Jacks host Old Glory DC in the second of three Sunday offerings from Major League Rugby. Both sides are on the outside looking in to the Eastern Conference playoff picture and another loss would reduce their hopes from slim to none.
Their only previous meeting was earlier this season. On that day DC took a decisive victory at Segra Field, though the circumstances are very different on this occasion.
Old Glory were well off the pace against New York last weekend, a particularly disappointing result on their home turf. Their depth was tested with four key starters out and only one returns to face the Free Jacks. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz remains suspended while co-captains Mungo Mason and Thretton Palamo are injured.
Jamie Dever is back to bolster the front row in one of two personnel changes to the lineup. With Mason ruled out again it’s Cory Daniel who starts at openside flanker, while Tevita Naqali switches from the blindside to the back of the scrum with Josh Brown dropping to the bench.
It was a better result for the Free Jacks against the Arrows, though their performance was nothing to rave about. The victory did keep their undefeated home record alive and also their quickly fading playoff hopes. In an effort to stay in touch they have brought in a new forward, though a first choice back will not take the field.
There are no changes to the starting forwards, but the bench shows two. Former Seawolves hooker Stephan Coetzee is set to make his New England debut as Vili Toluta’u switches his focus for the match to the back row. Ronan McCusker replaces Matt Wirken as lock backup.
EDIT: A late change sees Wian Conradie dropping out of the lineup with Vili Toluta’u starting at No8 and Evan Geist covering back row on the bench.
Harrison Boyle is left out to recover from a knock suffered against Toronto. Beaudein Waaka moves to flyhalf with Ewan Brumwell handed his first start on the right wing. Peceli Rinakama is recalled to the reserves to act as outside back cover.
Game time temperatures are expected to be very warm suggesting the bench will have an impact. In that regard the Free Jacks have the edge, with Coetzee a high quality addition during the week. DC also concede form and home field advantage to New England, and without three of their most influential players should be considered clear underdogs.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast in Canada and the USA, with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers located abroad.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Quentin Newcomer, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Tera Mtembu, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Vili Toluta’u, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Ewan Brumwell, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Kyle Ciquera, 18 Spencer Krueger, 19 Evan Geist, 20 Ronan McCusker, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre, 23 Peceli Rinakama
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jamie Dever, 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai, 3 Steven Longwell, 4 Api Naikatini, 5 Stan South, 6 Callum Gibbins (capt.), 7 Cory Daniel, 8 Tevita Naqali, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Jason Robertson, 11 Renata Roberts-Te Nana, 12 Ciaran Hearn, 13 Doug Fraser, 14 Mike Dabulas, 15 Dylan Taikato-Simpson
Replacements: 16 James King, 17 Jack Iscaro, 18 Dante Lopresti, 19 Casey Renaud, 20 Josh Brown, 21 Danny Thomas, 22 D’Montae Noble, 23 Sam Cusano
Date: Sunday, June 6
Venue: Union Point Stadium, Weymouth
Kickoff: 18:00 local (15:00 Pacific)
Referee: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Nick Tricarico (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-04-25 – Old Glory DC 35, New England Free Jacks 22 (Segra Field)
