Waaka inspires Free Jacks to road win over Gold

The New England Free Jacks got their 2022 campaign off to a flying start with a 24-13 victory over NOLA at The Gold Mine on Saturday evening. Beaudein Waaka led the way with 14 points including a try and a 4-from-4 effort off the kicking tee.

It was the visitors who struck first. A Terrell Peita turnover on halfway gave the Free Jacks possession. Quick hands and an offload from Le Roux Malan put Harry Barlow in space, and the winger connected with a trailing Waaka in a textbook two-on-one for the finish. Waaka converted his own from a tough angle to make it 7-nil after nine minutes.

NOLA’s first points came via the boot of Carl Meyer. New England were cautioned for failing to roll away at the breakdown and the big center’s kick sailed over the uprights.

The Gold’s discipline was at issue next, with a penalty handing an attacking lineout to the Free Jacks. Reegan O’Gorman took the throw-in and set a picture-perfect lineout drive with Pieter Jansen taking the plaudits for the grounding. Waaka was again on target with the extras.

Meyer limped off with what looked like a lower leg problem late in the half, replaced by JP du Plessis. New England added insult to injury with a penalty goal from the boot of Waaka to make it 17-3 at the break.

A Juan Cappiello line break early in the second half put NOLA within striking range. The forwards were initially repelled but the ball was spun wide and Nick Feakes celebrated his return to MLR with an acrobatic finish in the corner. Damian Stevens could quite land the conversion, however, and the Free Jacks maintained a two-score lead.

It would be stretched to three scores soon after. Waaka slipped through the arms of Devin Short and sprinted free, finding John Poland on his right for a third New England try. It was a double-whammy for NOLA as Robbie Coleman was dispatched to the sin bin for a shoulder charge on Waaka as he passed the ball. The New England flyhalf dusted himself off and calmly slotted the conversion.

Jansen was shown yellow for a breakdown infringement and the Gold pack sensed a chance to claw one back. The defense held strong for several phases but then a lineout drive crossed with some help from the backs. Eric Howard came up with the ball for the try, but the kick from Stevens rang off the left upright.

The Free Jacks looked to be pressing for a fourth score but the Gold won a turnover deep in their own end. Feakes made a break down the left side to set up a scoring opportunity, but poor handling conceded possession and time would run out on the frustrated home side.

It’s an early bye week for New England before returning for a Friday-night road trip to face Old Glory in Leesburg on February 18. There is no rest for NOLA, who stay at home to play Rugby ATL next Saturday.

 

SCORING

NOLA 13
Tries – N. Feakes (46′), E. Howard (65′)
Cons – D. Stevens 0/2
Pens – C. Meyer 1/1 (24′)
YC – R. Coleman (51′)

NEW ENGLAND 24
Tries – B. Waaka (8′), P. Jansen (30′), J. Poland (51′)
Cons – B. Waaka 3/3 (9′, 31′, 52′)
Pens – B. Waaka 1/1 (39′)
YC – P. Jansen (61′)

 

TEAMS

NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon (17 Kevin Sullivan 57′), 2 Eric Howard (16 George Sharpe 76′), 3 Dino Waldren (18 Brian Nault 53′), 4 Malcolm May (20 Maciu Koroi 53′), 5 William Waguespack (19 Taylor Krumrei HT), 6 Moni Tonga’uiha, 7 Devin Short, 8 Cam Dolan (capt.), 9 Damian Stevens (21 Devereaux Ferris 71′), 10 Robbie Coleman, 11 Nick Feakes, 12 Carl Meyer (23 JP du Plessis 37′), 13 Juan Cappiello, 14 Harley Wheeler, 15 Kyle Rogers (22 JP Eloff 67′)

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Foster DeWitt (17 Alex Johnston 76′), 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager (18 Spencer Krueger 64′), 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Reegan O’Gorman (19 Stan van den Hoven 64′), 6 Joe Johnston (20 Cam Davidowicz 61′), 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Terrell Peita (16 Mills Sanerivi 47′), 9 John Poland (21 Holden Yungert 71′), 10 Beaudein Waaka (23 Mitch Wilson 76′), 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Le Roux Malan (22 Mika Lomano 79′), 13 Jack Reeves, 14 Paula Balekana, 15 Dougie Fife

 

MATCH OFFICIALS

Referee: Moe Chaudhry (Canada)
Assistants: Jack Gohl (Australia) & Allen Alongi (USA)