Free Jacks Look To Advance To MLR Championship Final For First Time

Eastern Confererence Final: New England Free Jacks (14-2) vs Old Glory DC (7-1-8)

When: Saturday, July 1, 2023 5:30pm EST

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA

Watch: FS1, The Rugby Network

Match Preview:

Fresh off a bye weekend after an impressive win against Houston at home in the last regular season game of the 2023 season, the Free Jacks are back at Veterans Memorial Stadium for the final time this year, where they will host the Eastern Conference Final against Old Glory DC. New England finished the season on top of the East, earning a bye week while DC traveled to New York, where they pulled off an impressive victory over the favored Ironworkers to advance out of the Eliminator Round. The Free Jacks ended the regular season with a 14-2 record, their best ever, while Old Glory DC finished third in the conference with a 7-1-8 record.

There will be some changes to the lineup that faced Houston two weeks ago. In the tight five, Kianu Kereru-Symes and Joel Hintz start at prop, while Reegan O’Gorman is back at lock. In the back row, Joe Johnston makes his return to starting flanker after coming off the bench in the last few games. In the backs, Jayson Potroz is back starting at 10 after a rest against houston, while flyer Taniela Filimone replaces Mitch Wilson on the wing. A strong second unit will come off the bench, with the likes of Mills Sanerivi, Kyle Ciquera and Cam Davidowicz, and the return of speedster Zach Bastres as wing cover.

The Free Jacks defeated DC in both of their regular season encounters, the first being a nail-biter of a home opener back in March ending in a 34-31 victory, and the second being a more comfortable win, 42-24 at DC.

Scouting

Old Glory is coming off of a 37-33 win over New York in the Eastern Conference Eliminator match last weekend.

Look for Old Glory DC’s forward pack to bring aggressiveness and intensity through players like Nic Souchon and Jack Iscaro in the front-row, Kyle Baillie at lock, and Fa’anana Schultz in the back row. In the backline, the always dangerous Danny Tusitala will be one to look out for along with the accurate boot of Tito Diaz Bonilla. Willie Talataina brings pace and footwork in the centers, while former All Black Sevens player Kurt Baker provides experience and creativity to the backfield.

All time against DC

5-1

Free Jacks Match Day Roster

1. Kianu Kereru-Symes
2. Andrew Quattrin
3. Joel Hintz
4. Conor Keys
5. Reegan O’Gorman
6. Mitch Jacobson
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
16. Mills Sanerivi
17. Kyle Ciquera
18. Cole Keith
19. Semisi Paea
20. Cam Davidowicz
21. Holden Yungert
22. Spencer Jones
23. Zach Bastres