MATCH PREVIEW

Free Jacks Travel To Atlanta After Clinching Top Seed In The East

New England Free Jacks (11-2) vs Rugby ATL (5-7-1)

When: Friday June 2, 2023 7:00pm EST

Where: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta

Watch: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network

 

Match Preview:

Coming off a commanding 57-20 win against the Toronto Arrows, the Free Jacks are off to Atlanta, where they’ll face Rugby ATL, who they beat 23-13 in April at Veterans Memorial Stadium.

New England clinched the first spot in the Eastern Conference last week with the win against Toronto, while Rugby ATL currently sits in 4th place with a 5-7-1 record. With a bye week guaranteed before hosting the conference final, the Free Jacks will look to finish the regular season in style on the road at Atlanta and Seattle, and at home vs Houston before heading into the playoffs.

There’ll be some changes to the lineup that faced off against Toronto. In the tight five, Kyle Ciquera (#1) and Cole Keith (#3) reclaim their spots at prop, while Conor Keys (#4) is back in the second row. In the backline, Paula Balekana (#11) is back on the wing, while Kieran McClea (#9) makes his second consecutive start. On the bench, Kianu Kereru-Symes (#17) and Joel Hintz (#18) are back in the squad this week to face Rugby ATL.

 

Scouting

Rugby ATL currently sits fourth in the Eastern Conference, behind New York and Old Glory DC. They are coming off a 28-12 loss on the road to the Utah Warriors.

Known for their physical scrummagers and skillful back three, Rugby ATL will try to put the Free Jacks under pressure early on in the game like they did in their previous encounter at ‘Fort Quincy’. In the pack, Connor Cook is back at flanker with Vili Helu at 8. In the backs, Ryan Rees pulls the strings from the scrum-half position, while Te Rangatira Waitokia and Rewita Biddle pose a big threat on the outside channels. 

 

All time against Atlanta

4-1

 

Free Jacks Match Day Roster

  1. Kyle Ciquera
  2. Andrew Quattrin
  3. Cole Keith
  4. Conor Keys
  5. Reegan O’Gorman
  6. Mitch Jacobson
  7. Slade McDowall
  8. Wian Conradie 
  9. Kieran McLea
  10. Jayson Potroz 
  11. Paula Balekana 
  12. Le Roux Malan
  13. Ben Lesage
  14. Mitch Wilson
  15. Reece MacDonald
  16. Mills Sanerivi 
  17. Kianu Kereru-Symes
  18. Joel Hintz
  19. Semisi Paea
  20. Cam Davicowicz 
  21. Holden Yungert 
  22. Spencer Jones 
  23. Joe Johnston

Rugby ATL Match Day Roster:

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