New England Free Jacks will have Beaudein Waaka returning to the team through the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 26-year-old utility back (27 in January) is 5’11”, and 200lbs.
During the 2020 season, Beaudein started in weeks 1 against RUNY and his skill and the experience were evident. After missing three games due to a shoulder injury, he returned for Week 5 against the NOLA Gold, carrying eight times for 96 meters. Since the conclusion of the truncated season, he has played with Melville in Waikato’s premier competition and trained for the Mitre 10 Waikato side.
Beaudein is from Ruatoki North, New Zealand. He attended Gisborne Boys High School where he played rugby and helped the team become Super 8 Champions in 2011. He won selected to the New Zealand School and Hurricanes Schools during 2011-2012, played for Melville Rugby Club in 2011, Clifton Rugby Club from 2012-2013, the Hurricanes Preseason training squad in 2012, and the Chiefs Development team in 2013.
In 2013 he began playing for Taranaki through 2018 in the ITM Cup, which became the Mitre 10 Cup. The team won the 2014 Championship. In 2019 he has played with Manly in the Shute Shield in Sydney,
All Blacks Sevens
Beaudein played with the New Zealand All Blacks Sevens team from 2015-2018, playing in 14 tournaments and scoring 18 tries. His sister Stacey, also debuted for the Black Ferns that year.
New England Free Jacks Comments
“I return with unfinished business,” said Waaka. “I look forward to getting back with the Free Jacks family and seeing what MLR 2021 has in store.”
“It’s great to have the electric and versatile, ‘Waaks’ back,” smiled James Willocks, Free Jacks Technical Advisor. “‘The sheriff’ showed his ability to break open games in 2020, and in reference to his nickname, slotted into and did a stellar job in an off-field leadership capacity. It’s ‘about that time’ to unleash Waaks towards 2021.”
With two seasons remaining on the utility back’s current contract, Free Jacks fans can expect to see plenty of highlight-reel action from Beaudein Waaka on the wing, full back, or wherever else on the pitch he may line up in 2020.
Join Waaka 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/.
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