MLR 2024: New England Free Jacks vs Anthem Carolina

Fort Quincy will be the venue for Anthem’s final match of their inaugural campaign. Unsurprisingly the hastily-organized expansion side has been unable to find a victory this year though they have provided many highlights with ball in hand. The Free Jacks will use the game as a tune-up before they begin their playoff quest to defending their 2023 Championship success.

CURRENT STANDINGS

10-5-0 (L1) East 1st

0-15-0 (L15) East 6th

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

2 Andrew Quattrin replaces Foster DeWitt
3 Kaleb Geiger replaces John-Roy Jenkinson (injury)
4 Kyle Baillie replaces Jackson Thiebes
6 Piers von Dadelszen replaces Ethan Fryer
8 Seta Baker replaces Mitch Jacobson (injury)
9 Oscar Lennon replaces Holden Yungert
10 Jayson Potroz replaces Danyon Morgan-Puterangi (No15 vs NOLA)
11 Paula Balekana replaces Mitch Wilson
13 Wayne van der Bank replaces Ben LeSage

1 Dan Hanson replaces Jake Turnbull
8 Shneil Singh replaces Michael Ma’afu
13 Mateo Gadsden replaces Cliven Loubser (No10 vs Chicago)
14 Cael Hodgson replaces Steffan Crimp (No15 vs Chicago)

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(11) – Quattrin, Baillie, Keys, von Dadelszen, DeWitt, Keith, Larsen, LeSage (Canada), Geiger, Wilson (USA), Malan (Namibia)

(2) – Apikotoa (Tonga), Alosio (Samoa)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– John-Roy Jenkinson (TH), Mitch Jacobson (FL), Wian Conradie (N8), John Poland (SH)

– Jake Turnbull (LH), Declan Moore (HO), Conor McManus (SH), David Still (WI)

NOTES

Jarrod Ford is named as referee for the first time, but it won’t be the first time he has been in the middle of an MLR match… Ford memorably had to step in during New England’s home game against Miami in early April when Derek Summers was injured late in the first half… it was the first time in MLR history that a referee change was made after the opening kickoff
New England need a victory to guarantee top spot in the Eastern Conference ahead of NOLA, who currently trail the Free Jacks by just two points
Oscar Lennon gets his first MLR start at scrumhalf… he debuted for New England as a second half replacement during last week’s defeat in New Orleans… despite being a new arrival, Lennon is the favorite to wear the No9 jersey in the first round of the postseason
seven of New England’s match day 23 could feature in test rugby during the upcoming two-week break… Canada have selected Andrew Quattrin, Kyle Baillie, Conor Keys, Cole Keith, Ethan Fryer, and Ben LeSage… Mitch Wilson is in the USA squad
Anthem have rested captain Jake Turnbull and fullback Steffan Crimp… both have been named in the Eagles squad for the tests against Romania and Scotland
MLR fans were given a shock when the initial Anthem roster listed David Still at No8… it turned out that was an administrative error, with Shneil Singh in fact starting at the back of the scrum… while Still has the size to play in the back row, he is a winger and is currently sidelined with suspension

PREDICTION

It’s been an entertaining campaign for the newcomers but ultimately Anthem, as expected, have been outclassed. Inevitable personnel changes and a full preseason focused on the defensive side should see a first ever victory next year. It won’t come on Saturday, when the Free Jacks put on a show for their faithful supporters. New England are heavy favorites at home.

LINEUPS

NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Kaleb Geiger, 4 Kyle Baillie, 5 Conor Keys, 6 Piers von Dadelszen, 7 Jed Melvin, 8 Seta Baker, 9 Oscar Lennon, 10 Jayson Potroz (capt.), 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Le Roux Malan, 13 Wayne van der Bank, 14 Toby Fricker, 15 Reece MacDonald

Replacements: 16 Foster DeWitt, 17 Malakai Hala-Ngatai, 18 Cole Keith, 19 Josh Larsen, 20 Ethan Fryer, 21 Cam Nordli-Kelemeti, 22 Ben LeSage, 23 Mitch Wilson

ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Dan Hanson, 2 Connor Robinson, 3 Joe Apikotoa (capt.), 4 Lucas Gramlick, 5 James Rivers, 6 Joe Basser, 7 Alby O’Shannessey, 8 Shneil Singh, 9 Sean Yacoubian, 10 Oscar Koller, 11 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 Mateo Gadsden, 14 Cael Hodgson, 15 Tomasi Alosio

Replacements: 16 Jack Manzo, 17 Ivan Pula, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Sione Latu, 20 Logan Weidner, 21 Shane Barry, 22 Sebastien Zaridze, 23 Josh Shetler

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, June 29
Venue: Veterans Memorial Stadium, Quincy
Kickoff: 17:00 local (14:00 Pacific)
Weather Forecast: sun and cloud, 73°F (23°C), wind S 15-22mph (24-35km/h)
Broadcasts: NBC Sports Boston, The Rugby Network