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The Toronto Arrows will look to break out of their four-game losing slump when they host the New England Free Jacks at York Lions Stadium on Saturday. It’s the first game of a busy Round 9 weekend that sees each team officially reaching the midpoint of the season at its end.
Injuries continue to plague the Arrows but they put up a commendable effort in last week’s home opener against New York, coming up just two points short. This week there is another considerable absentee, however, as vice-captain Sam Malcolm is ruled out with concussion.
Peter Nelson comes straight in at fullback, one of two players making their first starts in the backline. The other is Dawson Fatoric, who is named on the wing with Mitch Richardson shifting in one spot to outside center. Fabian Goodall drops to the bench to make room for Fatoric.
Another first start is handed to Shay Kerry, but it’s at number eight instead if his typical lock position where he lines up. Mason Flesch returns from two weeks out to play blindside flanker, with Lucas Rumball at openside and James O’Neill among the reserves. Mitch Eadie is also on the bench along with loosehead prop Connor Grindal who is set to make his pro debut.
The Free Jacks bounced back from their loss to Utah with a strong win at home over Chicago. They are currently five points clear at the top of the Eastern Conference table, and feature eight Canadians in their lineup including four former Arrows. Andrew Quattrin, Cole Keith, Ben LeSage, and Spencer Jones all start against their former club.
Keith is one of three changes to the starting pack with Conor Keys and Wian Conradie returning from suspension to return at lock and eightman respectively. Second row Reegan O’Gorman and flanker Slade McDowall are set for their first appearances of the season as replacements. It’s a 6/2 split on the bench with Cam Davidowicz also covering the back row.
Jayson Potroz is back in at flyhalf after a week off, and Paula Balekana starts on the left wing. Le Roux Malan gets his first start at inside center after his impressive cameo off the bench last weekend. Isaac Olson again covers both center and wing with Holden Yungert the other back reserve.
Ideal conditions are expected which is great news for fans but could be tough on the Arrows against a Free Jacks side close to full strength. New England will have studied D’Shawn Bowen closely during the week and won’t be taken by surprise like New York was. Toronto does have a height advantage in the lineout but the rest suggests a solid win for the visitors.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific. Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN 2 with a local broadcast available on NBC Sports Boston. Those located elsewhere can watch on The Rugby Network.
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Ramón Ayarza, 2 Gene Syminton, 3 Lolani Faleiva, 4 Mike Sheppard, 5 Adrian Wadden, 6 Mason Flesch, 7 Lucas Rumball (capt.), 8 Shay Kerry, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Shane O’Leary, 11 Dawson Fatoric, 12 Noel Reid, 13 Mitch Richardson, 14 D’Shawn Bowen, 15 Peter Nelson
Replacements: 16 Jack McRogers, 17 Connor Grindal, 18 Nik Hildebrand, 19 Mitch Eadie, 20 James O’Neill, 21 Will Grant, 22 Fabian Goodall, 23 Kobe Faust
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Jesse Parete, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Joe Johnston, 7 Mitch Jacobson (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Jayson Potroz, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Spencer Jones
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Foster DeWitt, 18 Tevita Sole, 19 Reegan O’Gorman, 20 Cam Davidowicz, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Isaac Olson, 23 Slade McDowall
Date: Saturday, April 15
Venue: York Lions Stadium, Toronto
Kickoff: 18:00 local (15:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network, TSN 2
Referee: Paulo Duarte (Portugal)
Assistants: Michael Jones (Canada) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Andrew Hosie (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-05-19 – Toronto Arrows 33, New England Free Jacks 18 (York Lions Stadium)
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)
