A Can’t Miss Eastern Conference Showdown

Free Jacks Host Old Glory In First Round Of 2024 MLR Playoffs

Eastern Conference Semi-Final: New England Free Jacks vs Old Glory DC

When: Saturday, July 20, 2024, 5pm EST

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA

Watch: FS2, The Rugby Network (Outside the USA)

Match Preview: 

The Free Jacks will host the Eastern Conference Semi-Final this weekend against rival Old Glory DC, after going 1-1 against each other during the regular season. New England enters the playoffs after having secured the number 1 seed in the Eastern Conference during the regular season with an 11-5 record, following a 40-7 win at home against Anthem R.C. in the last round. The Free Jacks ended the regular season with a total of 55 table points, 5 above 2nd place NOLA.

In Round 18 versus Anthem, South African center Wayne Van der Bank capped off an excellent regular season with another stellar performance, in which he ran for 137 meters and scored another 2 tries, to bring his total for the season to 10. Forwards Andrew Quattrin and Seta Baker also had impressive showings, with the Canadian hooker scoring 2 tries and making 13 tackles, while the Kiwi back rower led the team with 20 tackles and ran for 96 meters.

Against DC, keep an eye out for US qualified scrum-half Oscar Lennon, who had a good first start against Anthem, and who’ll look to set the tempo in attack and control territory through his kicking game. 

Expect a thrilling match this weekend at Veterans Memorial Stadium, as both encounters between the two teams during the regular season came down to a one point difference; the first one in Quincy ending 35-34 for the visitors, while the second one in DC finished 31-30 for New England.

Scouting

Old Glory DC finished the regular season with a 27-24 win at home against the NOLA Gold, where DC winger Perry Humphreys scored two tries.

DC finished the regular season in 4th place in the Eastern Conference with a final record of 7-7-2, and a total of 42 points (3 points behind the Chicago Hounds). 

DC is a tough and direct team, with a big forward pack that excels in the set-piece, through front rowers Steven Longwell and Jack Iscaro, combined with their back row combination of Faanana-Schultz, Daniel, and Bavaro. Their backline has experienced players and likes to control territory through their accurate kicking game. Keep an eye out for flyhalf Jason Robertson and winger Axel Müller.

All time against DC

7-2