Free Jacks Travel To San Diego For MLR Finals Rematch

New England Free Jacks @ San Diego Legion

When: Sunday, May 19, 2024, 4pm EST

Where: Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, CA

Watch: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network 

Match Preview: 

The Free Jacks are fresh off their second bye week of the season, and looking to get back into the win column on the road against San Diego after a close loss at home to Chicago in Round 10. Entering Round 12, New England remains atop the Eastern Conference with a 6-3 record, 2 points ahead of 2nd placed Chicago.

Despite the loss in Round 10, the Free Jacks had three players run for more than 100 meters against Chicago; Danyon Morgan-Puterangi led the team (133), followed by Paula Balekana (124), and Wayne Van der Bank (101). The Fijian winger also scored two tries on the day.

At San Diego, look for Morgan-Puterangi to keep pulling the strings from the back after his ‘player of the match’ performance in Round 10. Mitch Wilson is in line to play his 50th game in MLR for the Free Jacks, which would make him the third player to reach 50 caps exclusively with the Free Jacks after John Poland and Kyle Ciquera.

The last time San Diego and New England met was in the 2023 Championship Final, where the Free Jacks emerged victorious, taking home the shield for the first time ever after a thrilling 25-24 game.

Scouting

Coming off a bye week as well, San Diego is back at home this week after a last minute 30-24 win against Dallas in Round 10.

The Legion currently sit 3rd in the Western Conference with a record of 6-3, and a total of 30 points (2 above Dallas and 10 below Seattle). 

San Diego plays an attacking brand of rugby, using their big ball carriers in the pack, and highly experienced backline out wide. The 9-10 combo of Connor Tupai and Lincoln McClutchie likes to play for territory through their kicking game, and controls the tempo offensively for the Legion. Look forward to a fierce rematch of the 2023 final on Sunday.

All time against San Diego

2-2