MATCH PREVIEW

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS VS DALLAS JACKALS

New England Free Jacks (3-1) v Dallas Jackals (0-3)

When: Saturday, March 2023, 4:30pm ET

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA 

Watch: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network 

The Free Jacks head into Round 6 atop of the Eastern Conference with 3 wins and a single loss, looking to maintain winning form.

Coming off a huge victory against Eastern Conference rivals, Rugby New York, new faces enter the fray for the cross-conference clash against Dallas. The match sees former New Zealand Under 20 captain, Kianu Kereru-Symes and his kiwi counterpart, halfback Kieran McClea, make their first starts for the season.

A new look front row is completed by Foster Dewitt and Joel Hintz, who both asserted immense pressure off the bench against New York last week. Round one starters Mitch Jacobson and Taniela Filimone return to the starting line-up, and Zach Bastres returns to the match day 23. 

Regulars John Poland and Mitch Wilson get a week off.

“It is a really important week for us back at home at Fort Quincy. 

We are looking to build pressure for prolonged periods and apply heat to this traveling Dallas side. 

We expect some new faces to inject extra energy, it is exciting to see the likes of Kianu and Kieran get a chance at home in front of our New England supporters, members, friends and family” – Scott Mathie (Head Coach) 

Scouting

Dallas Jackals are improving week to week under a strong coaching group in Head Coach, Agustin Cavalieri, and Assistants Mario Ledesma and Willie Blanco. Standout performers to date include a hard working back row in Argentine internationals Jeronimo Gomez Vara and Conrado Roura, and Namibian International Adriaan Booysen. Dallas are 0-21 and need to change their fortunes rapidly, so expect a fired up performance.

All time against

No games to date.

Match Officials

Referee: Robin Kaluzniak (Canada) 

Assistant: Jarrod Ford and Mike Rudzinsky

TMO: Derek Summers

Free Jacks Rugby Staff: 

  • Tom Kindley (General Manager) 
  • Scott Mathie (Head Coach) 
  • Mike Rogers (Assistant Coach) 
  • Will Webster (Assistant Coach) 
  • Javier Martin (Team Manager)
  • George Petrakos (Head Physical Performance Coach) 
  • Ricci Persico (Assistant Physical Performance Coach)
  • Colton Bennett (Analyst) 
  • Mike Buonopane (Head of Medical)
  • Adam Thomas (Assistant AT/PT)
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