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One more victory stands in the way of the New England Free Jacks to officially claim the title as best team in the East. Intent on playing the spoiler role is Old Glory DC, who defeated the defending champion Ironworkers in New York last weekend to earn a spot in the Conference Final.
DC might have been underdogs in the eyes of the bookmakers, but those who have been paying attention will not have been surprised by their success. Their attacking ability is well established but Josh Syms has instilled confidence in his side and a commitment to stay in the game for all 80 minutes.
The Free Jacks experienced that firsthand in their home opener when Old Glory came within three points of claiming what would have been a stunning victory. New England were the better side in their more recent meeting at Segra Field but even on that occasion DC were no pushovers.
Syms has effectively named an unchanged match day squad despite the short turnaround. Gradyn Bowd was a late scratch from Sunday’s game but is again listed in the No10 shirt, with Tito Díaz Bonilla left out entirely. The 6/2 split on the bench stays with no specialist halfbacks in reserve.
New England have had a week off to rest and prepare for their second consecutive Conference Final. Last year they came up just short against New York and Scott Mathie will have no interest in a repeat. The Free Jacks were the dominant side in the East throughout the regular season but there are still some surprise decisions in the lineup.
Mitch Wilson is ruled out with a tight hamstring and Beaudein Waaka is still nursing sore ribs courtesy of Danny Barrett. The in-form Reece MacDonald continues at fullback with Jayson Potroz restored to the No10 shirt. Taniela Filimone comes in on the right wing for Wilson with Zach Bastres handed a spot among the replacements.
The front row is again rotated with Kianu Kereru-Symes, Andrew Quattrin, and Joel Hintz getting the start. Reegan O’Gorman comes in at lock to partner fellow Canadian Conor Keys, and Joe Johnston is favored to Slade McDowall at openside flanker. McDowall misses out entirely with Cam Davidowicz the only loose forward substitute on a conventional 5/3 bench.
Conditions look to be ideal at kickoff with another bumper crowd expected at Fort Quincy. New England are well-rested and enter on a 10-game winning streak. DC earned their place with a hard-fought victory and are again in uncharted territory. The Free Jacks have the stronger bench, and with their vocal supporters driving them on should book their ticket to Chicago.
Kickoff is set for 5:30pm local time, 2:30pm Pacific. Fox Sports 1 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers in Canada and abroad.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Joel Hintz, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Reegan O’Gorman, 6 Mitch Jacobson (capt.), 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Jayson Potroz, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Taniela Filimone, 15 Reece MacDonald
Replacements: 16 Mills Sanerivi, 17 Kyle Ciquera, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Semisi Paea, 20 Cam Davidowicz, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Spencer Jones, 23 Zach Bastres
OLD GLORY DC
1 Jack Iscaro, 2 Nic Souchon, 3 Kyle Stewart, 4 Tevita Naqali, 5 Kyle Baillie (capt.), 6 Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz, 7 Lautaro Bavaro, 8 Niko Jones, 9 Danny Tusitala, 10 Gradyn Bowd, 11 Junior Sa’u, 12 Doug Fraser, 13 William Talataina, 14 Marcos Young, 15 Kurt Baker
Replacements: 16 Facundo Gattas, 17 Cali Martinez, 18 Quentin Newcomer, 19 Collin Grosse, 20 Langilangi Haupeakui, 21 John Rizzo, 22 Thretton Palamo, 23 Alejo Daireaux
Date: Saturday, July 1
Venue: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy
Kickoff: 17:30 local (14:30 Pacific)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 1, The Rugby Network
Referee: Joe James (England)
Assistants: Federico Anselmi (Argentina) & Peter Pender (Canada)
TMO: Chris Assmus (Canada)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-05-14 – Old Glory DC 24, New England Free Jacks 42 (Segra Field)
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)
