New England Free Jacks Adds Mika Lomano

The New England Free Jacks signed Mikaele Lomano for the 2022 Major League Rugby season. The 24-year-old center is 6’1” and 225 lbs.

Mika is from Citrus Heights, California, and attended San Juan High School, where he was a linebacker in football. He then went to American River College, graduating in 2017.

He played rugby with the Sacramento Blackhawks, and in 2018 played with San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby Football Club in the Pacific Rugby Premiership.

In 2019 he joined the Sacramento Young Tigers in the California Rugby League and he received the CRL Rookie of the Year Award.

In 2021 he was selected as one of 27 young athletes to attend the USA Rugby High-Performance Pathways camp in Glendale, Colorado. “Mika showed good growth and adapted well to a full-time environment within the pathway program. I am happy we were a part of his journey on to the MLR,” commented Pathways Head Coach Paul Emerick.

New England Free Jacks Comments

On signing with the Free Jacks, Lomano expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to start the next chapter in his life. “First and foremost I want to thank God. I’m truly blessed to excel in my rugby career with the New England Free Jacks and I’m looking forward to meeting the coaching staff, teammates, and experiencing a new environment. Can’t wait to put in the work!”

“Mika caught our eye as a standout athlete during a site visit of the USA rugby development academy initiative earlier in the year,” noted Free Jacks Performance Director, Tom Kindley. He has a great feel for the game, naturally runs great lines, and is a relentless ball carrier making him a weapon with the ball in hand.”

“As importantly, the pathway staff were impressed with his coachability, work rate, and attitude during his 9-week immersion. He has a huge ceiling and we are excited to help him on his development journey as a professional.”