MATCH PREVIEW

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS VS OLD GLORY DC

New England Free Jacks (8-2) vs Old Glory DC (5-5)

When: Sunday May 14, 2023 1:30pm EST

Where: Segra Field, Leesburg, VA

Watch: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network

 

Match Preview:

Coming off of a shutout win against New York at home, the Free Jacks get back on the road as they head to Segra Field in Virginia where a hungry Old Glory DC team awaits. New England remains on top of the Eastern Conference with a record of 8-2, with DC 9 points behind at 5-5. With a perfect in-conference record so far, New England will look to maintain their winning ways in what will be a tough contest in DC.

In the tight five, Mills Sanerivi remains at hooker for the second consecutive week, while Reegan O’Gorman makes his first start of the season at lock. In the back row, Sam Fischli starts at flanker after missing out the last couple of weeks. John Poland will return to starting at scrum-half, while the rest of the backline remains unchanged from the encounter against New York. Changes on the bench include a return for prop Joel Hintz and the exciting potential 2023 debut for last year’s Major League Rugby MVP, Beaudein Waaka, who is named on the bench as a utility back. 

The Free Jacks defeated DC in their St Paddy’s Festival home opener with a 34-31 victory under classic New England early March weather conditions.

 

Scouting

Old Glory DC is currently second in the Eastern Conference with a 5-5 record, and sits a single point ahead of third placed New York. They are coming off a 7-3 win at Dallas, in a match that had to be canceled at halftime due to lightning.

Look for Old Glory DC’s forward pack to bring aggressiveness and intensity through players like Nic Souchon and Jack Iscaro in the front-row, and Fa’anana Schultz in the back row. In the backline, Danny Tusitala and Gradyn Bowd look to have settled in as the first choice 9-10 combination, while Tito Diaz Bonilla has been playing at fullback. Willie Talataina and Peni Lasaqa bring pace and footwork with ball in hand.

 

All time against DC

4-1

New England Roster 

  1. Kyle Ciquera
  2. Mills Sanerivi
  3. Cole Keith
  4. Conor Keys
  5. Reegan O’Gorman
  6. Sam Fischli
  7. Mitch Jacobson
  8. Wian Conradie
  9. John Poland
  10. Jayson Potroz
  11. Paula Balekana
  12. Le Roux Malan
  13. Ben Lesage
  14. Mitch Wilson
  15. Reece MacDonald
  16. Kianu Kereru-Symes
  17. Foster Dewitt
  18. Joel Hintz
  19. Cam Davidowicz
  20. Joe Johnston
  21. Holden Yungert
  22. Isaac Olson
  23. Beaudein Waaka

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)

DC Roster:

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