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Two Eastern Conference heavyweights collide at JFK Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Rugby New York were second-best when they hosted the New England Free Jacks at the same venue in March. A similar result would open the door wide open for the Toronto Arrows in the postseason race.
Since that day the Free Jacks have vaulted into the top spot in the East with only a single defeat in nine games played. Only Austin have more points on the overall table though New England have a game at hand. The Free Jacks carry a franchise-record six-game winning streak into Sunday’s contest.
Both teams come into the game rested after having last weekend off. New England bested Seattle in their most recent outing and have made four personnel changes to the lineup, though two are injury-enforced.
Zach Bastres is out for several weeks with a broken collarbone while Dougie Fife is recuperating from damaged ribs. Mitch Wilson returns on the right wing with Harrison Boyle deputising for Fife at fullback. Canadian international Isaac Olson, a center or wing, could make his professional debut as a replacement.
First choice hooker Pieter Jansen is recalled at hooker and squad rotation sees Wian Conradie starting at No8 with Jesse Parete switching to the blindside flank. Both Joe Johnston and Cam Davidowicz provide loose forward cover on a bench that shows a 6-2 split.
New York were mercilessly beaten by the Giltinis in their last game, the worst result in the team’s history. The Arrows have now tied their competition points total and are ahead on differential, which leaves New York technically in fourth place though they do have a game at hand.
NOTE: At the time of writing Rugby New York has not provided a team list.
Cool and cloudy is the forecast which is nothing new to either team. New York were unable to contain Beaudein Waaka in March and will need a new game plan on Sunday. The Free Jacks are riding a wave of confidence and the travel is negligible. Give the favorites tag to the visitors.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 11:30am Pacific. Fox Sports 1 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers located abroad.
RUGBY NEW YORK
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NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven, 6 Jesse Parete, 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Harrison Boyle
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Alex Johnston, 18 Spencer Krueger, 19 Reegan O’Gorman, 20 Joe Johnston, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Isaac Olson, 23 Cam Davidowicz
Date: Sunday, April 24
Venue: John F. Kennedy Stadium, Hoboken
Kickoff: 14:30 local (11:30 Pacific)
Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Will Nelson (USA)
TMO: Miles McIvor (USA)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 1, The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-03-06 – Rugby New York 29, New England Free Jacks 38 (John F. Kennedy Stadium)
2021-07-03 – New England Free Jacks 22, Rugby United New York 6 (Union Point Stadium)
2021-05-23 – Rugby United New York 29, New England Free Jacks 19 (Cochrane Stadium)
2020-02-09 – New England Free Jacks 34, Rugby United New York 14 (Sam Boyd Stadium)
