MATCH PREVIEW

Record Crowd Anticipated as the Free Jacks Return Home to Host Hungry NOLA Gold

New England Free Jacks (9-2) vs NOLA Gold (5-7)

When: Sunday May 21, 2023 3:00pm EST

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA

Watch: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network

 

Match Preview:

After a 3-week stretch coming off of a blockbusting 42-24 win against Old Glory DC, the Free Jacks are back at Fort Quincy this Sunday where if pre-game ticket sales are any indication a historic record setting crowd is in the works to welcome conference rival NOLA Gold, who they beat back in Week 1, 36-12, after a player of the match debut performance from flyhalf Jayson Potroz.

New England remains on top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 9-2, while NOLA currently sits in fifth place in a tight race with three other teams (NY, DC, ATL) for a top-3 playoff spot. With a perfect record at home so far, the Free Jacks will look to remain unbeaten in Quincy as they host a hungry NOLA team fighting for that key playoff eligible seed.

In the tight five, Kyle Ciquera, Joel Hintz, and Semisi Paea reclaim their starting spots, while Slade McDowall returns to the back row. In the backline, Wayne Van der Bank is back at 13, while the rest of the line remains unchanged from DC. New signing US Eagle stalwart James Hilterbrand makes his debut appearance from the bench, joining the likes of Spencer Jones and Zach Bastres who are back in the 23 this week.

 

Scouting

NOLA Gold is currently fifth in the Eastern Conference with a 5-7 record, and sits 4 points behind third-placed Old Glory DC. They’re coming off a 12-26 loss at home against Western Conference leaders San Diego Legion.

Captain and USA Eagle Cam Dolan leads the NOLA pack from the Lock position, while Moni Tongauiha brings the hard carries from the back of the scrum. Their backline on the other hand is filled with nifty playmakers such as scrum-half Luke Campbell, center JP Du Plessis and fullback Jordan Trainor. A familiar face to Free Jacks fans, Dougie Fife, could also be possibly making his return to the field and New England after missing out on the last few games due to injury.

 

All time against NOLA

4-3

New England Roster 

  1. Kyle Ciquera
  2. Mills Sanerivi
  3. Joel Hintz
  4. Reegan O’Gorman
  5. Conor Keys
  6. Sam Fischli
  7. Slade McDowall
  8. Wian Conradie
  9. John Poland
  10. Jayson Potroz
  11. Paula Balekana
  12. Le Roux Malan
  13. Wayne Van der Bank
  14. Mitch Wilson
  15. Reece MacDonald
  16. James Hilterbrand
  17. Foster Dewitt
  18. Cole Keith
  19. Cam Davidowicz
  20. Joe Johnston
  21. Kieran McClea
  22. Spencer Jones
  23. Zach Bastres

Free Jacks Rugby Staff: 

  • Tom Kindley (General Manager) 
  • Scott Mathie (Head Coach) 
  • Mike Rogers (Assistant Coach) 
  • Will Webster (Assistant Coach) 
  • Javier Martin (Team Manager)
  • George Petrakos (Head Physical Performance Coach) 
  • Ricci Persico (Assistant Physical Performance Coach)
  • Colton Bennett (Analyst) 
  • Mike Buonopane (Head of Medical)
  • Adam Thomas (Assistant AT/PT)

NOLA Roster:

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