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New England and New York will renew their rivalry on Sunday when the Free Jacks host the Ironworkers at Fort Quincy. It’s a chance for the home side to stretch their lead at the top of the Eastern Conference table, while the defending champions are smarting from back-to-back defeats and have two teams hot on their trail for the third playoff spot.
There is good and bad news for the Ironworkers following their loss to Houston last Sunday. Jason Emery has been ruled out after failing an HIA, joining Jack Heighton on the sidelines. On a positive note four players return from injury while a new name has arrived just in time.
Sam Windsor takes over for Emery in the No10 shirt, with Nick Feakes recalled at fullback. Teofilo Fidow returns from a twisted knee earlier than expected on the left wing, and former Seawolves flyhalf or center Kieran Joyce is set to make his New York debut as a replacement.
Up front there is a return for Chance Wenglewski at loosehead prop, while Kaleb Geiger continues his education at tighthead. Tevita Langi and Sam Davies will provide backup. Pago Haini has shaken off a bad ankle to take up a spot among the reserves.
The Free Jacks have won three straight in convincing fashion since their loss to the Warriors a month ago. They are now nine points clear for first in the East and Scott Mathie has named a strong lineup with designs on another win heading into the bye week.
Injury has claimed Andrew Quattrin and John Poland, while Jesse Parete is out with suspension. Semisi Paea takes Parete’s spot in the second row, with Mills Sanerivi starting at hooker for Quattrin. Tevita Sole gets a run at loosehead prop with Kyle Ciquera dropping to the bench.
Poland’s spot at scrumhalf goes to Kieran McClea, who has waited patiently for his second start of the season. Ben LeSage comes in for Wayne van der Bank at outside center, and Reece MacDonald replaces Spencer Jones at fullback.
Light rain will lead into the match and is expected to continue throughout. Both sides will be accustomed to the conditions though they could put extra weight on the set piece. New England have the superior scrum, though New York should hold the edge in the lineout.
While Windsor is an experienced campaigner the loss of both Heighton and Emery does disrupt the Ironworkers attack. Fidow’s presence is a psychological boost though the Free Jacks may look to test his fitness early on. On form New England are the better side and should be considered favorites, but New York are no slouches.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on the MSG Network in New York and NBC Sports Boston, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Tevita Sole, 2 Mills Sanerivi, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Semisi Paea, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Mitch Jacobson (capt.), 7 Slade McDowall, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 Kieran McClea, 10 Jayson Potroz, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Reece MacDonald
Replacements: 16 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17 Kyle Ciquera, 18 Conor Young, 19 Reegan O’Gorman, 20 Joe Johnston, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Isaac Olson, 23 Cam Davidowicz
NEW YORK IRONWORKERS
1 Chance Wenglewski, 2 Dylan Fawsitt, 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Nate Brakeley (capt.), 5 Hamish Dalzell, 6 Brad Tucker, 7 Monate Akuei, 8 Kara Pryor, 9 Conor McManus, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Teofilo Fidow, 12 Teihorangi Walden, 13 Fa’asiu Fuatai, 14 Andrew Coe, 15 Nick Feakes
Replacements: 16 DaQuan Perry, 17 Tevita Langi, 18 Sam Davies, 19 Charlie Hewitt, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Connor Buckley, 22 Kieran Joyce, 23 Brooklyn Hardaker
Date: Sunday, April 30
Venue: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: MSG Network, NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Jarrod Ford (USA)
TMO: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-03-19 – New York Ironworkers 18, New England Free Jacks 33 (Memorial Field)
2022-06-19 – New England Free Jacks 16, Rugby New York 24 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-06-03 – New England Free Jacks 14, Rugby New York 21 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-04-24 – Rugby New York 26, New England Free Jacks 29 (John F. Kennedy Stadium)
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)
