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New England will look to set a new team mark when they host the Seattle Seawolves at Union Point Stadium on Sunday. Back-to-back wins over Toronto and DC have the Free Jacks aiming for a first-ever third consecutive victory, with their undefeated home record also on the line.
The two sides have faced each other just once before. Seattle were decisive winners in an entertaining fixture at Starfire Stadium last February. This year’s match will have a different look with only four players from each team set to start in the return fixture.
Only four points currently separate the Free Jacks from New York for the second Semi Final spot in the Eastern Conference, though the latter have a game at hand. With New York set to take on East leaders ATL there is a chance for New England to close the gap.
There are two changes to the starting pack that held on to beat Old Glory. Sef Fa’agase returns after a five-game injury hiatus to start at loosehead prop, with Quentin Newcomer reverting to his backup tighthead spot. Wian Conradie is also fit to resume duties at No8. Stephan Coetzee and Vili Toluta’u will assume the role of impact subs against their former team.
Mitch Wilson is welcomed back on the wing after seven weeks on the sidelines in the only other change to the starting lineup. There is one more notable return on the bench as flanker Justin Johnson has been cleared of concussion that ruled him out of two games. Curiously there is no specialist lock replacement among the reserves.
The Seawolves are now heading into the second game with Allen Clarke in charge and assume a near-identical look to the team that came up one point short against Utah. They are out of the running for the playoffs but some players are fighting for a chance to return next season, with some cuts to the roster already reportedly being made this past week.
Huluholo Mo’ungaloa comes in for Djustice Sears-Duru at loosehead prop, and Samu Manoa returns at lock in place of the absent Ben Landry. Naulia Dawai continues at openside flanker to start against the team he played for last season.
The backline is unchanged though Seta Tuilevuka and Karsten Leitner are recalled on the bench. It’s a 6-2 split once again with Eric Duechle taking the place of Les Soloai as extra loose forward cover.
Seattle looked an improved side for the first hour of last week’s game but faded in the final quarter. The same could be said about the Free Jacks, who were perhaps fortunate to win over Old Glory. Sunny skies are on the forecast leaving this down to other factors. Despite their unconvincing results, New England should be considered favorites given the significant travel facing their guests.
Kickoff is set for 5pm local time, 2pm Pacific. CBS Sports Network will broadcast in Canada and the USA with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers located abroad.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Sef Fa’agase, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Jackson Thiebes, 6 Tera Mtembu, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Poasa Waqanibau, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Vili Toluta’u, 20 Justin Johnson, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Ewan Brumwell, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Huluholo Mo’ungaloa, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Samu Manoa, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Naulia Dawai, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 Devereaux Ferris, 10 JP Smith, 11 Suliasi Tamaivena, 12 AJ Alatimu, 13 Ross Neal, 14 Lauina Futi, 15 Akihito Yamada
Replacements: 16 Mike Shepherd, 17 Djustice Sears-Duru, 18 Jake Ilnicki, 19 Conor McGill, 20 Eric Duechle, 21 Tommy Clark, 22 Seta Tuilevuka, 23 Karsten Leitner
Date: Sunday, June 13
Venue: Union Point Stadium, Weymouth
Kickoff: 17:00 local (14:00 Pacific)
Referee: Scott Green (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Pearce Mara (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2020-02-29 – Seattle Seawolves 44, New England Free Jacks 29 (Starfire Stadium)
