The New England Free Jacks signed Aleki Morris-Lome through the 2022 Major league Rugby seasons. The 26-year-old center, who has played wing, (27 in May) is 5’11” and 210 lbs.
Aleki was born and raised in Dunedin, New Zealand. He attended Bayfield High school in his first two years and played rugby. The final two years in 2011 and 2012 were at the Otago Boys’ High School where he played 1st XV rugby under current Free Jacks Head Coach Ryan Martin. Aleki was one of the leaders of Martin’s 2012 Otago Boys’ High School side that competed in the New Zealand Secondary School Final against Auckland powerhouse, St Kentigern’s High School, and scored 35 tries during the season and led to his selection to the New Zealand School’s Barbarians.
Aleki played with North Otago in 2015. From 2016-2018 he played with the Mitre 10 Cup, Southland Stags, and made 17 appearances. He moved back to Dunedin in 2019 and played with Mitre 10 Cup’s Otago Rugby and is on the roster for 2020. He also played with Super Rugby’s Highlanders since 2019. During the 2019 Mitre Cup season, he started 11 matches and scored 5 tries.
New England Free Jacks Comments
“I’m super excited to get over to New England and join the team,” said a visibly excited Aleki Morris. “Looking forward to linking up with coach Ryan again, and working with the members of the awesome squad they’ve put together. I can’t wait to do my best to contribute to the Free Jacks and New England rugby community.”
“Aleki is a super electric midfield back who possesses the ability to tear opposition defenses apart with his fend-speed combo,” commented Ryan Martin, Free Jacks Head Coach. “He is a brutal defender who loves big contacts and reads the game incredibly well. Leks has had to work hard to get to where he is and I look forward to seeing him impart his talents and knowledge among the squad in New England.”
Outside of rugby, Morris-Lome has completed a building apprenticeship and like his Head Coach counterpart, loves to surf.
Join Aleki and the Free Jacks for a virtual meet and greet, “News and Brews,” on Thursday, September 10th. Grab a Free Jacks IPA and join the virtual gathering and get to know the newest Free Jacks and the returning players. RSVP using the link here: https://www.freejacks.com/news-and-brews/.
Aleki Morris-Lome Otago 2019 Highlights
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