The New England Free Jacks have waited until their second season to have their first home match against Utah Warriors at Union Point Stadium on Saturday, April 3. Kickoff is at 4:30 pm ET with those who can’t attend, may view the match on CBS Sports Network, or internationally on The Rugby Network.
The Free Jacks are in fourth place in the Eastern Conference with a 1-1 record and 5 points in the standings. After losing their first match to the LA Giltinis, they stormed back with a dominant win over the Houston SaberCats last weekend.
The Utah Warriors are in second place in the Western Conference based on point differential to the LA Giltinis. The team is undefeated with 10 points wins over Austin Gilgronis and the Toronto Arrows.
Free Jacks Head Coach Ryan Martin has made one change in the starters with vice-captain Beaudein Waaka returning from a minor injury at fullback. Dougie Fife has shifted to right-wing from fullback, and Mitch Wilson to left-wing. A reserve change was also made with Quentin Newcomer taking the place of Kyle Ciquera as a tighthead replacement. Harry Barlow, who was at left-wing last week, is not included in the matchday roster.
Utah Warriors Head Coach Shawn Pitman has made also made one change in his starters with Fraser Hurst at scrumhalf for the injured Michael Baska. Josh Whippy received a red card last week for a dangerous tackle of Toronto captain Lucas Rumball, but his appeal was successful, and is back in the lineup.
There are two changes in the reserves with Danny Christensen poised to make his MLR debut at scrumhalf as a replacement. Mika Kruse, who was traded by the LA Giltinis to Utah, should keep up the Warriors’ potent attack when he enters the match.
Squads with Player Article Links
New England Free Jacks: 1 Sef Fa’gase 2 Pieter Jansen 3 Erich de Jager 4 Josh Larsen (c) 5 Jackson Thiebes 6 Joe Johnston 7 Justin Johnson 8 Wian Conradie 9 John Poland 10 Harrison Boyle 11Mitch Wilson 12 Aleki Morris Lome 13 Poasa Waqanibau 14 Dougie Fife 15 Beaudein Waaka (VC) 16 Vili Toluta’u 17 Kensuke Hatakeyama 18 Quentin Newcomer 19 Ronan McCusker 20 Conor Kindregan 21 Ollie Engelhart 22 Evan Geist 23 Danny Collins
Utah Warriors: 1 Franco Van Den Berg 2 Sama Malolo 3 Angus Maclellan 4 Aston Fortuin 5 Matt Jensen 6 Lance Williams 7 Bailey Wilson (c) 8 Jurie Van Vuuren 9 Fraser Hurst 10 Hagen Schulte 11 Josh Whippy 12 Calvin Whiting 13 Tyler Fisher 14 Mike Te’o (VC) 15 Cliven Loubser 16 Veremalua Vugakoto 17 Alex Tucci 18 Olive Kilifi 19 James Mocke 20 Thomas Tu’avao 21 Dan Christensen 22 Mika Kruse 23 Joe Mano
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