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The top two teams in the Eastern Conference heading into this weekend will do battle at Segra Field on Sunday afternoon. Both Old Glory DC and the visiting New England Free Jacks carry win streaks into the game and with ideal conditions on the weather forecast, fans should be in for a treat.
It’s three wins in a row for DC, who might feel equal parts fortunate and unlucky that last week’s game against Dallas ended at halftime. For 39 of those minutes the Jackals were in front, but DC would have fancied their chances to pull away and secure a four-try bonus point. As it is the team should feel well rested with the only changes to the lineup coming in the pack.
Tevita Naqali is back in at lock after missing the last five games with injury. Collin Grosse drops to the bench for just the second time this season. New arrival Niko Jones slots straight in at openside flanker having missed out on a potential debut in Arlington. Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz moves to his preferred No8 spot with Langilangi Haupeakui dropping to the reserves.
The Free Jacks are nine points up on DC for top spot in the East and will also be feeling fresh after a bye week. They have won four in a row since the narrow defeat in Utah but have opted to rotate some of the pack while welcoming a familiar face back to the match day squad.
Kyle Ciquera is restored to the No1 shirt and Reegan O’Gorman is handed his first start of the season at lock in place of Semisi Paea. Slade McDowall gets a week off with Sam Fischli coming in on the flank. The latter provides second row cover if needed with two loose forwards in Cam Davidowicz and Joe Johnston among the replacements.
In the backline John Poland slots in at scrumhalf for Kieran McClea, but it’s a name on the bench that really catches the eye. Last season’s MLR Player of the Year Beaudein Waaka is ready to ride after taking the long flight back to Boston from Japan. He will look to make an impact as a flyhalf or fullback substitute after signing a new long-term deal with New England.
When these two teams last met it was a very close game won by the Free Jacks, whose poor discipline nearly gave the game away to DC. That started a rough patch for Old Glory but since then they have built their confidence and pose a serious threat with ball in hand. New England are at the height of their game, however, and at this stage are clear favorites to represent the East in the MLR Final. Expect an exciting contest as the home side tries to wrestle that tag away from the visitors.
Kickoff is set for 1:30pm local time, 10:30am Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on MASN in the nation’s capital and NBC Sports Boston, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Kyle Baillie, 6 Lautaro Bavaro, 7 Niko Jones, 8 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz (capt.), 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Gradyn Bowd, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Thretton Palamo, 13 William Talataina, 14 Peni Lasaqa, 15 Joaquín Díaz Bonilla
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Cali Martinez, 19 Collin Grosse, 20 Langilangi Haupeakui, 21 John LeFevre, 22 Owen Sheehy, 23 Marcos Young
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Mills Sanerivi, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Reegan O’Gorman, 6 Sam Fischli, 7 Mitch Jacobson (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 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 Foster DeWitt, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Cam Davidowicz, 20 Joe Johnston, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Isaac Olson, 23 Beaudein Waaka
Date: Sunday, May 14
Venue: Segra Field, Leesburg
Kickoff: 13:30 local (10:30 Pacific)
Broadcasts: MASN, NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Aaron Davis (USA) & Ian Seaton (USA)
TMO: Greg Gilliam (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-03-11 – New England Free Jacks 34, Old Glory DC 31 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-05-07 – New England Free Jacks 26, Old Glory DC 20 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-02-18 – Old Glory DC 25, New England Free Jacks 41 (Segra Field)
2021-06-06 – New England Free Jacks 38, Old Glory DC 34 (Union Point Stadium)
2021-04-25 – Old Glory DC 35, New England Free Jacks 22 (Segra Field)
