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Rugby ATL put their first overall ranking on the line on Saturday when they welcome the New England Free Jacks to Silverbacks Park. The two sides are separated by just two points in the Eastern Conference, and with Rugby New York also in the mix the result will have huge implications in the playoff race.
New England have thrown down the gauntlet with consecutive wins over New York, Toronto, and Austin since tasting their only defeat of the season in Los Angeles. After resting some starters in Texas it’s back to a nearly full-strength lineup to take on the Ratlers.
Pieter Jansen returns at hooker with skipper Josh Larsen returning to the second row. Terrell Peita misses out with injury so Joe Johnston slides to No8 with Reegan O’Gorman switching from lock to the blindside flank. Slade McDowall is recalled at openside flanker and fellow New Zealander Jesse Parete is set to make his anticipated Major League Rugby debut as a replacement.
Star playmaker Beaudein Waaka is restored at flyhalf with Harrison Boyle among the reserves this week. The only other change in the backline sees Harry Barlow back on the left wing in place of Paula Balekana, while Jack Reeves provides cover across the three-quarter line on the bench.
ATL fielded a modified lineup last week and have beefed up the pack to face the Free Jacks. They coasted through the match against DC and also arrive on the back of a three-game win streak.
Both props are changed with Will Burke in at loosehead and John-Roy Jenkinson the anchor at tighthead. Second row talisman Johan Momsen and captain Matt Heaton both return refreshed after a week’s rest. Jason Damm continues his return from a long-term knee injury and holds his place on the bench.
Co-captain Ryan Nell will miss this one out after taking a heavy knock in the opening seconds of the match against Old Glory. His midfield spot goes to Te Rangatira Waitokia, with Lui Sitama handed his first MLR start on the wing after impressing as a center replacement last week. Canadian international George Barton is poised to make his club debut as a replacement after signing from Seattle.
The two sides split their games last season and boast identical records thus far in 2022. Gusty winds are expected which could dictate tactics, and there is a contrast in styles between the incisive running of Waaka and the educated boot of Kurt Coleman. ATL’s formidable set piece matches New England’s breakdown excellence. The home side are favorites but this should be a nail-biter.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on NBC Sports Boston with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Will Burke, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Connor Cook, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Daemon Torres, 9 Rowan Gouws, 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Austin White, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 14 Lui Sitama, 15 Kian Meadon
Replacements: 16 Alex Maughan, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 John Sullivan, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Jason Damm, 21 Ryan Rees, 22 George Barton, 23 Nolan Tuamoheloa
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven, 6 Reegan O’Gorman, 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Joe Johnston, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Foster DeWitt, 18 Tevita Sole, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Cam Davidowicz, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Harrison Boyle, 23 Jack Reeves
Date: Saturday, March 26
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Referee: Jack Gohl (Australia)
Assistants: Cisco Lopez (USA) & Dave Edwards (USA)
TMO: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-07-18 – New England Free Jacks 22, Rugby ATL 19 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2021-05-15 – Rugby ATL 33, New England Free Jacks 18 (Lupo Family Field)
