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The New England Free Jacks emerged from the first half of the season with the best record in Major League Rugby. They’ll carry a franchise-record five-game winning streak into Saturday’s game as they host the Seattle Seawolves at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
Good teams find ways to win when they don’t play well, and the Free Jacks demonstrated that last week against NOLA. After running out to a big lead they conceded three tries early in the second half. A try from front rower Foster DeWitt saved the day but there will have been much to work on in training.
DeWitt comes back into the starting lineup at hooker, with Jesse Parete getting his first run-out at No8. Joe Johnston has shaken off a bruised knee and is named on the bench, which also features the return of Wian Conradie after a spell with Gloucester in the English Premiership.
The backline shows only one change, a straight swap on the left wing with Paula Balekana in for Harry Barlow. Jack Reeves is fit enough to take up a spot on the bench after suffering a minor ankle injury late in the game against the Gold.
Seattle have dropped out of a playoff position after losing four of their last five. They are coming off a bye week, having been soundly beaten at home by LA two weeks ago. The Seawolves need a rapid turn in form to retake the 3rd spot in the Western Conference ladder from the Giltinis.
Rhyno Herbst is back in the second row in one of two changes to the starting pack. The other sees Travis Larsen taking over at openside flanker from fellow Canadian Nakai Penny. Sam Matenga again settles for a backup role to starting tighthead prop Tim Metcher.
Kieran Joyce is handed the No10 shirt with AJ Alatimu dropped to the bench. Martin Iosefo is busy with his new family addition and there is no Duncan Matthews this week. Ross Neal comes in on the wing with Mat Turner at fullback. Cole Zarcone provides cover for the outside backs.
Gusty weather is on the forecast with a chance of light showers. While this could affect the kicking game, New England will fancy their chances of taking on Seattle with ball in hand. There is a fascinating clash in the midfield with the in-form Free Jacks duo up against rising star Tavite Lopeti.
The Seawolves will look to outmuscle their hosts up front though Parete adds bite to the Free Jacks back row. In the end the long trip from the West Coast will be difficult for the visitors to overcome. Take the Free Jacks as favorites.
Kickoff is set for 4:30pm local time, 1:30pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on Fox 13+ in Seattle and NBC Sports Boston, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Foster DeWitt, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven, 6 Cam Davidowicz, 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Jesse Parete, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Zach Bastres, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Alex Johnston, 18 Spencer Krueger, 19 Wian Conradie, 20 Joe Johnston, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Harrison Boyle, 23 Jack Reeves
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Mzamo Majola, 2 James Malcolm, 3 Tim Metcher, 4 Rhyno Herbst, 5 Samu Manoa, 6 Ben Landry, 7 Travis Larsen, 8 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 9 JP Smith, 10 Kieran Joyce, 11 Lauina Futi, 12 Tavite Lopeti, 13 Dan Kriel, 14 Ross Neal, 15 Mat Turner
Replacements: 16 Mike Brown, 17 Kellen Gordon, 18 Sam Matenga, 19 Victor Comptat, 20 Tommy Clark, 21 Reid Watkins, 22 AJ Alatimu, 23 Cole Zarcone
Date: Saturday, April 9
Venue: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy
Kickoff: 16:30 local (13:30 Pacific)
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Jarrod Ford (USA)
TMO: Davey Ardrey (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox 13+, NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-06-13 – New England Free Jacks 25, Seattle Seawolves 21 (Union Point Stadium)
2020-02-29 – Seattle Seawolves 44, New England Free Jacks 29 (Starfire Stadium)
