KICK OFF JAN 24 AT 8:30PM ET AT UNION POINT SPORTS COMPLEX
MATCH-DAY 23
The Free Jacks have announced their 23-player roster for the team’s 2nd pre-season match against the New England Independents, a select squad of All-Star talent representing players from clubs in the region.
Last week’s fixture between these two sides saw the Free Jacks come up against a fierce and motivated Independents team that was committed to the contact, attacked the gain-line, and forced numerous turnovers in the bitter New England winter chill.
The 2nd match in the series takes place this Friday, January 24th, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 pm at Union Point Sports Complex. The event is AT CAPACITY and attendance is strictly limited to confirmed RSVPs.
A notable inclusion in the Free Jacks starting roster this week is loose-head forward, Kyle Ciquera, who represented the Independents in the first match. “Kyle has shown great development training with the Free Jacks throughout pre-season, and his game last week showed his ability on the field,” said Head Coach Josh Smith. “This is a fantastic opportunity to push Kyle’s ability and see how he performs with the Free Jacks. The Independents side functioned just how we had hoped and identified Kyle and other players we hope to see become Free Jacks in the future.”
Japan International Kensuke Hatakeyama and Sean McNulty join Kyle in the front row. Both demonstrated their scrummaging prowess and athleticism around the park in the first test of the series. Jackson Theibes and Ronan McCusker will provide the power of the pack from the 2nd row. Coach Smith has made one change to his back-row, including Evan Geist along side Owen Hundt and Naulia Dawai in a powerful loose forward combination.
French playmaker, Timothee Guillimin, receives the starting scrumhalf position and will pair with US Eagle Tadhg Leader at Fly-half. A new center combination of New Zealand born, Canterbury and Pro 14 veteran, Sam Beard, and Mitre 10 Cup utility back, Liam Steel, meet up in the midfield to control the game of play with their experience. Poasa Waqanibau, who was dangerous last weekend, moves to the wing with Deion Mikesell. Man of the Match, Mitch Wilson, finds his way to the no. 15 jersey and will look to ignite the team once more with pace and footwork.
Unavailable for selection this weekend include: Chris Frazier, Pago Haini, Brad Hemopo, Tolu Fahamokioa, Jon Kokinda, Josh Larsen, Quentin Newcomer, and Anthony Purpura.
The full match day 23 of the Free Jacks and New England Independents can be found below.
New England Free Jacks
- Kyle Ciquera
- Sean McNulty
- Kensuke Hatakeyama
- Jackson Thiebes
- Ronan McCusker
- Evan Geist
- Owen Hundt
- Naulia Dawai
- Timothee Guillimin
- Tadhg Leader
- Poasa Waqanibau
- Sam Beard
- Liam Steel
- Deion Mikesell
- Mitch Wilson
- Diego Maquieira
- Steven Hinshaw
- Simon Courcoul
- Conor Kindregan
- Zack Stryffeler
- Oliver Engelhart
- Peceli Rinakama
- Danny Collins
STAFF
Head Coach | Josh Smith
Assistant Coach | Kareem Afifi
High Performance | Tom Kindley
Head Athletic Trainer and Medical Manager | Katherine Henry
Strength & Conditioning Coach | Jared Collinson
Technical Advisor | James Willocks
Team Manager | Ben Nathan
New England Independents Roster
- David McKenna
- Blades Shields
- Sean Moran
- Timmy O’Connor
- Cody Davidowicz
- Sean McElhinney
- Ryan Hargraves
- Cameron Davidowicz
- Ian Luciano
- Haishim Soufan
- Karl Rempe
- Adnan Kawuma
- George Kokkalis
- Andrew Marshall
- Brian Patterson
- Everett Sullivan
- Mike Weis
- TJ Downey
- Billy Coughlin
- Devin Ibanez
- Liudas Jagminas
- David Buchanan
- Nicholas Ducey
STAFF
Adam Zilcoski (Boston Irish Wolfhounds RFC)
Michael Bozza (Mystic River Rugby Club)
Thomas Clark (Tufts University)
Ryan Grant (Holy Cross)
Ken Esterhuizen (South Shore Anchors RFC)
Brennan Moore (Boston RFC)
Alex Miccio (Northeastern University)
Carrick Pell (Babson University)
Ed Turbidy (Northeastern University)
Joe Sanchez (Worcester RFC)
