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The top team in the Eastern Conference will look for their fourth win in a row when they arrive at Zions Bank Stadium on Friday night. New England will be wary of their hosts, however, after watching Utah’s stunning offensive display against the Arrows last weekend.
Indeed the Free Jacks could hardly call their most recent performance convincing. Dallas gave them all they could handle and only missed out on a first-ever victory by the slimmest of margins. Scott Mathie has freshened up the squad with five changes to the run-on side.
Three come in the front row with Kyle Ciquera, Andrew Quattrin, and Cole Keith rotated in for last week’s trio of Foster DeWitt, Kianu Kereru-Symes, and Joel Hintz. Otherwise the forwards are unchanged though Jesse Parete returns from suspension to take up a spot on a bench that shows a 6/2 split.
John Poland is back in at scrumhalf after watching from the stands against the Jackals, and Mitch Wilson comes in on the right wing to mark Utah’s in-form Joe Mano. There is a first appearance of the season for Canadian international Isaac Olson, who has beefed up during his time off and provides a replacement option at either center or wing.
The Warriors put the disappointing showing in New Orleans behind them with the big win over Toronto. Greg Cooper’s men are two-for-two at home but this is a clear step up in competition. As with New England there are five changes to the starting lineup.
Bailey Wilson returns to skipper the side on the blindside flank with Jeremiah Noaese dropping to the bench. There is a first start for Tongan international Onehunga Havili at lock in place of Jurie van Vuuren. Franco van den Berg is restored at loosehead prop with Emerson Prior missing out this week.
Tyler Fisher’s strong showing against Toronto is rewarded with another start, this time outside Paul Lasike in a monstrous midfield pairing. Logan Tago drops out with Mika Kruse shifting out to the wing. On the bench there is a first sighting of outside back Connor Burns, one of last season’s rookie standouts.
Light snow is expected through the night and chilly temperatures will continue but there should be a hint of sunshine at game time. Given last week’s conditions, both sides should be prepared. The altitude may have an effect on the visitors during the final quarter but the extra forward on the bench makes up for it.
New England will have to close the space on Utah’s midfield, while both Wilson and Jamie Lane are excellent defensive lineout operators. The Free Jacks might target the scrum in the absence of Paul Mullen, and despite last week’s shaky outing look the more confident side overall. It’s a close call but give the slight edge to the visitors in what should be a fast-moving contest.
Kickoff is set for 7:30pm local time, 9:30pm Eastern, 6:30pm Pacific. Fox Sports 2 will broadcast nationwide with The Rugby Network streaming for viewers located elsewhere.
UTAH WARRIORS
1 Franco van den Berg, 2 Joey Backe, 3 Angus MacLellan, 4 Onehunga Havili, 5 Jamie Lane, 6 Bailey Wilson (capt.), 7 Lance Williams, 8 Thomas Tu’avao, 9 Connor McLeod, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Paul Lasike, 13 Tyler Fisher, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Caleb Makene
Replacements: 16 Chad Gough, 17 Olive Kilifi, 18 Takaji Young Yen, 19 Saia Uhila, 20 Jeremiah Noaese, 21 Zion Going, 22 Calvin Whiting, 23 Connor Burns
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Cole Keith, 4 Conor Keys, 5 Semisi Paea, 6 Mitch Jacobson (capt.), 7 Joe Johnston, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Jayson Potroz, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Wayne van der Bank, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Mitch Wilson, 15 Reece MacDonald
Replacements: 16 Kianu Kereru-Symes, 17 Foster DeWitt, 18 Joel Hintz, 19 Jesse Parete, 20 Sam Fischli, 21 Holden Yungert, 22 Isaac Olson, 23 Cam Davidowicz
Date: Friday, March 31
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 19:30 local (18:30 Pacific, 21:30 Eastern)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network
Referee: Federico Anselmi (Argentina)
Assistants: Kahlil Harrison (USA) & Kage Green (USA)
TMO: Luke Rogan (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2022-04-30 – New England Free Jacks 33, Utah Warriors 17 (Veterans Memorial Stadium)
2021-04-03 – New England Free Jacks 22, Utah Warriors 21 (Union Point Stadium)
2020-02-15 – Utah Warriors 39, New England Free Jacks 33 (Sam Boyd Stadium)
