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Rugby ATL will look to keep their fading playoff hopes alive when they host the New England Free Jacks at Silverbacks Park on Friday night. The visitors have already clinched their spot in the postseason so the pressure will be entirely on the home side to find a result against the best team in the conference.
It was another disappointing outcome for ATL against Utah last week, leading them five points adrift of New York in the Eastern Conference standings. A loss would open the possibility of being eliminated from the playoffs by the weekend’s close.
Three changes are made to the run-on side. Alex Maughan and Johan Momsen return at loosehead prop and second row respectively in place of Will Burke and Nahuel Milan. On the left wing Jack Shaw makes way for Austin White, while Duncan van Schalkwyk is a third halfback option on the bench.
New England are in the envious position of having three warm-up games for their Conference Final. Scott Mathie will roll out a virtually full strength side in an effort to keep their seven-game winning streak alive. John Poland and Beaudein Waaka sit out with minor injuries.
Waaka is replaced by Reece MacDonald at fullback while Kieran McClea continues at scrumhalf for a second straight week. The only other change in the backs is out wide where Paula Balakena returns at the expense of Taniela Filimone
The first choice front row trio is restored with Kyle Ciquera, Andrew Quattrin, and Cole Keith back en masse. Conor Keys swaps shirts with Semisi Paea and it’s a 6/2 split on the bench with Joe Johnston joining Cam Davidowicz as loose forward extras.
A warm evening is expected which may benefit the visitors with an extra forward reserve to call on. New England were slow starters before pulling away to win their April encounter. ATL enter with no momentum while the Free Jacks are a well-oiled machine. Take the visitors to stretch their streak.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 4pm Pacific. A local broadcast will be available on NBC Sports Boston with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Sidney Tobias, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Connor Cook, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Vili Helu, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Christopher Hilsenbeck, 11 Austin White, 12 Martini Talapusi, 13 Will Leonard, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Rewita Biddle
Replacements: 16 Isaac Bales, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 Will Burke, 19 Nahuel Milán, 20 Daemon Torres, 21 Niall Saunders, 22 Kurt Coleman, 23 Duncan van Schalkwyk
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Reegan O’Gorman, 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 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Cam Davidowicz, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Spencer Jones, 23 Joe Johnston
Date: Friday, June 2
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network
Referee: Joe James (England)
Assistants: Cisco Lopez (USA) & Dave Edwards (USA)
TMO: Mike Lash (New Zealand)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-04-22 – New England Free Jacks 23, Rugby ATL 13 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-05-13 – New England Free Jacks 15, Rugby ATL 10 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2022-03-26 – Rugby ATL 27, New England Free Jacks 41 (Silverbacks Park)
2021-07-18 – New England Free Jacks 22, Rugby ATL 19 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2021-05-15 – Rugby ATL 33, New England Free Jacks 18 (Lupo Family Field)
