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A rare Thursday night game begins the 16th week of the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The Arrows welcome the New England Free Jacks to Toronto for the first time and the result could also be historic.
This isn’t the first time the two sides have met north of the border. In fact the Free Jacks played their first game against the Arrows in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in October of 2018. On that occasion the Arrows were still under the Ontario banner and came out on top. Since then, however, New England have won all three MLR contests with their most recent meeting in March.
For Toronto the objective is to win and put further pressure on Rugby ATL for the third and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. The blowout win over Dallas was a bit of a free pass and Peter Smith has understandably made sweeping changes to the lineup to face a far more menacing foe.
Cole Keith, Andrew Quattrin, and Isaac Salmon return in the front row with Mike Sheppard back to skipper the side at lock. Adriaan Wadden is the only forward who retains his spot with Paul Ciulini settling for a reserve role. Kyle Baillie, Lucas Rumball, and Ronan Foley comprise the back row with Marcello Wainwright named on the bench. Wainwright is set to make his first appearance this season having been an unused replacement against ATL six weeks ago.
There is greater continuity in the backs. Sam Malcolm is restored at flyhalf with Ueta Tufuga and Mitch Richardson in the midfield. The outside backs are the same with Will Kelly and Guiseppe du Toit joining Sam Reimer as the back reserves.
EDIT: Late changes to Toronto’s lineup see Mitch Richardson dropping out, with Guiseppe du Toit starting at inside center. Ueta Tufuga moves to outside center. Mitch Voralek joins the bench.
It’s a much different scenario for the Free Jacks. Entering with 10 consecutive victories, they can both extend their record streak and set a new league mark for most regular season wins. They are currently the overall leaders and odds-on favorites to top the Eastern Conference.
A season-ending knee injury to Pieter Jansen sees Mills Sanerivi handed the No2 shirt with Foster DeWitt returning from a foot complaint to provide backup. At tighthead prop Tevita Sole makes his just second start of the campaign, while the new flankers this week are Cam Davidowicz and Joe Johnston. Terrell Peita notably returns to the match day squad after a seven-game absence dealing with a family tragedy.
EDIT: Late changes from the Free Jacks see Harrison Boyle in at flyhalf in place of Beaudein Waaka, and Jack Reeves on the left wing in place of Paula Balekana. Forward reserve Jesse Parete is also out. Joining the bench are flankers Justin Johnson and Ethan Fryer, and versatile back Isaac Olson. Fryer, a Canada u18 international, is set to make his MLR debut.
The forecast suggests perfect conditions at game time, a far cry from the horrendous weather experienced during their Match meeting in Quincy. That will appeal to both sides and the Arrows will be hoping for strong fan support as they attempt to halt New England’s unrelenting momentum.
Wadden’s presence boosts Toronto’s lineout but comes at the expense of Ciulini’s physicality. Meanwhile the Arrows face an array of attacking talent across New England’s backline. The visitors are clear favorites and it will take a mighty effort from the home side to beat a team on the verge of becoming the league’s best-ever.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 4pm Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on NBC Sports Boston while those in Canada can watch on TSN 2 and their digital services. Viewers across the USA and abroad can watch the live stream on The Rugby Network.
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Cole Keith, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Isaac Salmon, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Mike Sheppard (capt.), 6 Kyle Baillie, 7 Lucas Rumball, 8 Ronan Foley, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Sam Malcolm, 11 Johnny Sheridan, 12 Guiseppe du Toit, 13 Ueta Tufuga, 14 Matthew Hood, 15 Gastón Mieres
Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Lolani Faleiva, 18 Tyler Rowland, 19 Paul Ciulini, 20 Marcello Wainwright, 21 Sam Reimer, 22 Will Kelly, 23 Mitch Voralek
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Mills Sanerivi, 3 Tevita Sole, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Stan van den Hoven, 6 Cam Davidowicz, 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Harrison Boyle, 11 Jack Reeves, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Dougie Fife
Replacements: 16 Foster DeWitt, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Erich de Jager, 19 Terrell Peita, 20 Justin Johnson, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Isaac Olson, 23 Ethan Fryer
Date: Thursday, May 19
Venue: York Lions Stadium, Toronto
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific)
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Chris Micheletti (Canada) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network, TSN 2
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-03-12 – New England Free Jacks 21, Toronto Arrows 15 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2021-05-29 – New England Free Jacks 14, Toronto Arrows 12 (Union Point Stadium)
2021-07-10 – Toronto Arrows 17, New England Free Jacks 28 (Lupo Family Field)
