The New England Free Jacks would like to acknowledge and thank two key members of our coaching staff who have moved on following the conclusion of the 2025 Major League Rugby season.

Pom Simona, Assistant Coach (Defense), has returned to New Zealand to take up a full-time role with Auckland in the National Provincial Championship (NPC). Simona has played an integral role across two seasons and back-to-back championship campaigns (2024 & 2025), leaving a lasting impact on the club’s defensive identity.

Dewald Senekal, Assistant Coach (Forwards), will return to Benetton Rugby in Italy, competing in the United Rugby Championship. Senekal brought a wealth of international experience to the Free Jacks in 2025 and was a driving force behind the team’s dominant forward pack during this year’s title-winning campaign.

We thank Pom and Dewald for their immense contributions to the Free Jacks and wish them all the very best in their next chapters. Pingi Tala’apitaga has been hired to take up the vacant Assistant Coach (Forwards) position, and Pom’s replacement will be announced in due course.

 

Q&A with the coaches: 

 

Pom Simona:

 

What are you most proud of during your time at the Free Jacks?

I’m most proud of the connections we made as a team, club and with our community and our ability to connect tighter under adversity. Our ability to stay the course and connect for the betterment of the team is very unique.

I genuinely believe we have some of the most selfless and caring people in our building and city of any organisation especially in professional sport.

 

How has your practice or perspective evolved since arriving in New England?

I’ve definitely grown so much since arriving in New England. I’m 100% a better coach and person for my time spent here. How can you not care and be selfless when you have players like Ben LeSage and Andrew Quattrin who embody those behaviours in your team?

I’m a better coach from being around Scott Mathie, Ryan Martin, Dewald Senekal and Will Webster. I’ve picked up so much gold from coaches and players alike that I’ll take with me.

What made the Free Jacks locker room unique compared to other teams you’ve been a part of?

I don’t think there’s anything quite like the Free Jacks locker room after a win at Veterans. As Quattrin would say….it’s electric! To sing our song then Free from Desire is something you can never get sick of and towards the end when I realized the season was getting to the end I cherished it more and just loved seeing the joy in our boys faces and that includes the non 23.

 

What’s next for you, personally or professionally? What are you most excited about in this next chapter?

I’ve taken up a role with Auckland rugby for the next 2 years as assistant coach for NPC and resource coach for their high performance teams. Auckland is home for me and my family but I’ve never coached in Auckland before so it’s going to be an exciting challenge. It also allows me to be with my wife Nicole and daughter Sienna all year round which we haven’t had for the last 2 seasons.

 

Any message you’d like to leave for the Free Jacks family — players, staff, and supporters?

I don’t think words can do justice just how grateful I am for TK, Mags and the Free Jacks for giving me an opportunity to be a part of an amazing club. I’ve absolutely loved my time with the Free Jacks and have made life long friends and connections from it. Again, I truly believe we have the best people at all levels of our club all the way to our amazing supporters. “He tangata, he tangata, he tangata” It is people, it is people, it is people.

I look forward to seeing everyone again on our different journeys and sharing a beer to celebrate the amazing ride we have been on. Until then, it’s time for me to be a Free Jacks supporter from NZ and try and catch buffaloes from Buckleys footage!

Huzzah!!!

 

Dewald Senekal: 

 

What initially drew you to the New England Free Jacks and Major League Rugby?

I had a few interactions with the team and the one thing that really jumped out at me is the environment that has been created where players are looked after and they can thrive in the field and of it. I felt that my coaching could very well thrive in this environment and I was not disappointed. It truly has been one of the best experiences of my life.

 

Coming from highly professional setups in Europe/South Africa, what surprised you (positively or otherwise) about the MLR or the Free Jacks specifically?

I was briefly involved with the MLR in 2019 and the competition has grown so much from its early days. From the organization to the quality of rugby and the quality of the teams it has come a long way.

I have been very impressed how everybody in the Free Jacks organization has multiple hats that they wear and how they all pull together to make the game day experiences flow. The love and care that everyone in the club has is very addictive and we are so lucky to have such amazing supporters.

 

What were some highlights for you this season? Both on and off-field?

I absolutely loved the opportunity to come and be part of something special. I loved everything from our theming into our weekly soul sessions and building relationships with everybody who will always have a special place in my heart. I loved the city of Boston and living in the South Shore and Quincy really felt like a home away from home.

 

What do you think makes this club (and its people) successful on and off the pitch?

I feel there is a deep « Care «  for what this organization stands for. In professional rugby it’s rare that a group of men can come together from all over the world and in the space of 6 months become so invested / connected and care so much about something. I believe that this is the secret ingredient that the Free Jacks has.

 

Was there a turning point or defining moment in the season where you knew the team had what it takes to threepeat?

I always felt that we will get better and better as the season goes on but the victories against NOLA at home and UTAH away as well as the Monday night win against Los Angeles were games that shown the group has something different.

 

What does the next chapter look like for you now? What are you most excited for and what will you take with you?

I have been very fortunate to be offered an opt to build a new program with the Italian franchise that plays in the United Rugby Championship. A competition that involves teams from Italy, South Africa. Ireland , Scotland , Wales and has a big contingent of the Italian national squad. I will be coaching the forwards and breakdown for the next 3 years and hopefully build a strong pack of forwards and even stronger culture of Care.

 

Any final message to the Free Jacks community, players, staff and fans you would like to make?

I can’t thank everybody enough for what has been the most enriching and enjoyable 6 months of my coaching career. I have learned and grown as a coach and man and I only wish the club, the team, the players and everybody involved a bright future where we see the Free Jacks and rugby in the USA go from strength to strength. Lots of Love, The Driller.

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