Match 3 Preview:

Free Jacks Look To Bounce Back Against Eastern Conference Leaders, NOLA Gold

When: Saturday March 16, 2024 2:00pm EST

Where: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy, MA

Watch: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network

Match Preview:

After a tough last minute loss against Old Glory DC last Saturday, the Free Jacks are back at Veterans Memorial Stadium as they host the 2-0 NOLA Gold. The Free Jacks currently sit second in the Eastern Conference with a 1-1 record, just two points behind their upcoming rival. New England will look to get their first home win of the 2024 season on Saturday before they head to Chicago the following week.

Debuting their 2024 Irish Heritage Jerseys, look for Free Jacks players to bring the intensity up a level this Saturday as New England hosts their annual St. Patrick’s Day Festival. The intensity starts with the tight five, led by Canadians Andrew Quattrin and Josh Larsen. As always, New England should look to bring fast defensive line pressure through the likes of Wian Conradie and Ben LeSage, to try to create turnover balls, so that in-form Reece Macdonald can continue to capitalize on open space as he’s done for the past two weeks. 

Scouting

NOLA travel away from home for the first time this weekend after two wins in Louisiana to start off the season. In Round 1 they pulled away from DC in the last 10 minutes in a 18-6 win, in which former Free Jack, Taniela Filimone, scored a try; and in Round 2 they hosted Anthem RC in a 34-19 win in which Dougie Fife, another former Free Jack, scored as well.

NOLA looks to play a fast-paced brand of rugby, which starts in the forwards with big, physical ball carriers Jonah Mau’u and Moni Tonga’uiha. In the backs, reliable MLR veteran JP du Plessis is a dangerous runner at center, and former Free Jacks Filimone and Fife bring the pace out wide.

All time against NOLA Gold

5-3