Just days after winning the 2025 MLR Championship, a score of Free Jacks players packed their bags and headed to work for their countries, joining national team training camps as both teams prepared for crucial matches.

The 2025 Pacific Nations Cup was more than just a mid-season test series — it served as the gateway to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. For both the USA Eagles and Canada’s Men’s Rugby Team, the tournament carried high stakes and offered a chance to reclaim places on rugby’s biggest global stage. By the end of a hard-fought campaign, both nations secured qualification, with several New England Free Jacks leaving their mark along the way.

Eagles Rise Again

The USA entered the tournament determined to make amends for missing out on the 2023 World Cup. After a pool loss to Japan left their fate hanging in the balance, the Eagles delivered when it mattered most, defeating Samoa 29–13 in Denver to clinch qualification. The win secured the USA’s ninth Rugby World Cup appearance and reaffirmed their status among rugby’s elite.

A decisive moment came from Free Jacks’ Kaleb Geiger, playing at hooker, who powered across the line for a crucial try against Samoa. His score stretched the Eagles’ lead and shifted momentum firmly in their favor, embodying the impact of Major League Rugby players stepping up on the international stage. For Geiger, it was a personal milestone; for the USA, it was the moment that cemented  the Eagles ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, in doing so defeating Samoa for the first time in an international test since 2018. 

Canada Returns to the World Stage

The Canadian squad was rich with Free Jacks talent. Cole Keith brought stability to the front row, while Piers von Dadelszen provided relentless work rate in the back row. In the midfield, Ben LeSage added leadership and experience, anchoring Canada’s attack and defense. 

Newly-capped players like Josiah Morra, Kyle Steeves, and Isaac Olson gained valuable international exposure, strengthening Canada’s depth for the road ahead. Andrew Quattrin remained a valuable part of the squad, bringing energy and leadership before departing to play for French D2 side Valance Romans. 

Canada headed into the PNC with a lot of moving parts, from a score of young players earning first caps to a change in coaching staff. They found their footing in the North American-clash against in the USA, which saw squads full of MLR teammates and opponents face off on a high-stakes international stage. Canada came away with a spirited victory against the Eagles, locking in their ticket to the 2027 Rugby World Cup. For a program eager to restore its international presence, qualification represents both progress and opportunity.

 

A Shared Achievement

For both the USA and Canada, qualification through the Pacific Nations Cup secures a place at rugby’s biggest event under the new 24-team format. For the Free Jacks, it is a proud moment to see their players contributing directly to these milestones. The performances of Geiger, Keith, von Dadelszen, LeSage, and others underscore the role of Major League Rugby in preparing athletes for the international arena. And in the stories of both nations, the fingerprints of Free Jacks players are clear — proof that the club’s influence extends far beyond Fort Quincy, helping shape the future of rugby on the global stage.

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