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New England is the next port of call for NOLA as they hit the mid-point of a six-week road swing on Saturday. The Gold trail New York by only three for the second playoff spot in the Eastern Conference but coming up just behind are the Free Jacks, who need a win to keep their own hopes alive.
It was a razor-thin decision when the two sides met in April. Despite horrid rainy conditions they produced an entertaining match with a controversial try awarded to JP du Plessis contributing to NOLA’s one-point victory.
The Free Jacks will have no interest in leaving it to the judges this time, and with only one player missing to international duty will fancy their chances against the slightly compromised Gold. They enter the match a confident side on the back of three consecutive wins though all by fine margins.
Josh Larsen is the lone absentee, their captain released to Canada early by request. Conor Kindregan steps in to fill the gap at lock in the only change up front. Joe Johnston is the stand-in skipper. Harrison Boyle returns from injury but will start at fullback with Dougie Fife moving to outside center and Poasa Waqanibau dropping to the bench.
NOLA have already sent five players off to their national sides with another four to miss their two upcoming west coast games. With that in mind this might also be considered a must-win for the Gold as they attempt to set-up a winner-take-all showdown with New York in their final regular season battle.
Matt Harmon is back in at loosehead prop, joining fellow Eagles call-up Dino Waldren in the front row. William Waguespack makes his first start of the season alongside Billy Stewart at lock. Malcolm May comes in on the blindside flank with all eight starting forwards USA-eligible.
The most significant change in the side is the return of goal kicker Carl Meyer at fullback after a six-game absence due to concussion. Hanno Dirksen bumps up to the right wing and there is a straight swap on the left side as Joeli Tikoisuva replaces an injured Julián Domínguez.
This promises to be a belter given their relative standing and the knowledge that a loss for either would severely damage the likelihood of a playoff spot. NOLA may target the lineout in the absence of Larsen and with no genuine lock reserve on New England’s bench.
The Free Jacks will look to their dangerous backline to hold on to their unbeaten home record. Give the Free Jacks a slight advantage at Union Point Stadium but this is a virtual toss-up.
Kickoff is set for 6pm local time, 3pm Pacific, 5pm Central. CBS Sports Network will broadcast live in Canada and the USA, with The Rugby Network streaming to viewers abroad.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Sef Fa’agase, 2 Pieter Jansen, 3 Erich de Jager, 4 Jackson Thiebes, 5 Conor Kindregan, 6 Tera Mtembu, 7 Joe Johnston (capt.), 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Beaudein Waaka, 11 Harry Barlow, 12 Aleki Morris-Lome, 13 Dougie Fife, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Harrison Boyle
Replacements: 16 Stephan Coetzee, 17 Quentin Newcomer, 18 Kyle Ciquera, 19 Justin Johnson, 20 Vili Toluta’u, 21 Tom Brusati, 22 Poasa Waqanibau, 23 Tuidraki Samusamuvodre
NOLA GOLD
1 Matt Harmon, 2 Pat O’Toole, 3 Dino Waldren, 4 William Waguespack, 5 Billy Stewart, 6 Malcolm May, 7 Andrew Guerra, 8 Cam Dolan (capt.), 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Timothée Guillimin, 11 Joeli Tikoisuva, 12 JP du Plessis, 13 Juan Cappiello, 14 Hanno Dirksen, 15 Carl Meyer
Replacements: 16 Kevin O’Connor, 17 Kevin Sullivan, 18 John Sullivan, 19 Kane Thompson, 20 Moni Tonga’uiha, 21 Devin Short, 22 Damian Stevens, 23 Kyle Rogers
Date: Saturday, June 26
Venue: Union Point Stadium, Weymouth
Kickoff: 18:00 local (15:00 Pacific, 17:00 Central)
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Amelia Luciano (USA) & Mike Rudzinsky (USA)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, The Rugby Network
Historical Results
2021-04-17 – NOLA Gold 30, New England Free Jacks 29 (The Gold Mine)
2020-03-07 – NOLA Gold 31, New England Free Jacks 22 (The Gold Mine)
