New England Free Jacks

Last updated
New England Free Jacks
New England Free Jacks logo.png
Founded2018
Location Quincy, Massachusetts
Ground(s) Veterans Memorial Stadium (Capacity: 5,000)
CEO Alex Magleby
Coach(es) Ryan Martin
Captain(s) Josh Larsen
Most caps Mitch Wilson (57)
Top scorer Jayson Potroz (327)
Most tries Paula Balekana (25)
League(s) Major League Rugby
2024 Champions
1st (Eastern Conference)
Kit left arm redbluehoops.png
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body redbluehoops.png
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm redbluehoops.png
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks hoops blue red.png
Kit socks long.svg
Team kit
Official website
www.freejacks.com

The New England Free Jacks are an American professional rugby union team based in the Greater Boston area that competes in Major League Rugby (MLR). They were announced in September 2018 and began to compete professionally in October 2018. [1] They competed in their first season in MLR in the 2020 season. The team has won two MLR shields after defeating the San Diego Legion in 2023 and the Seattle Seawolves in 2024.

Contents

History

On September 21, 2018, Major League Rugby announced that Boston would be one of the expansion teams joining the league for the 2020 season. [2] That same day, the Boston club was announced as the New England Free Jacks through social media. Their first match was on October 20, 2018, against the Ontario Arrows at Wanderers Grounds in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Early rosters from these matches included a mixture of veteran professional players from the disbanded PRO Rugby competition and top local talent from clubs such as the Boston Irish Wolfhounds and Mystic River.

NFL players Nate Ebner and Patrick Chung are minority owners of the Free Jacks. [3] [4]

Honors

Championships

individual awards

MLR Most Valuable Player

MLR Forward of the year

MLR Back of the year

MLR Coach of the year

MLR Championship game MVP

Sponsorship

SeasonKit manufacturerShirt sponsorOther Shirt sponsor(s)
2018 Canterbury NoneNone
2018–2019Boathouse
2020–2021 Paladin Sports
2022Alloy Therapeutics
2023Tufts Medical Center, DUDE Wipes, Arbella Insurance, Drayton Distributors
2024 Kappa
2025 Macron Alloy Therapeutics, Koa LabsDUDE Wipes, Arbella Insurance, Drayton Distributors

Roster

The New England Free Jacks squad for the 2024 Major League Rugby season is: [5]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

PlayerPositionUnion
Foster DeWitt Hooker Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Connal McInerney Hooker Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Andrew Quattrin Hooker Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Kyle Ciquera Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Kaleb Geiger Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Malakai Hala-Ngatai Prop Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Cole Keith Prop Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Jone Koroiduadua Prop Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji
Ivan Pula Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Tevita Sole Prop Flag of Tonga.svg Tonga
Kyle Steeves Prop Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Kyle Baillie Lock Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Conor Keys Lock Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Josh Larsen (c) Lock Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Jackson Thiebes Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Piers von Dadelszen Lock Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Matthew Carrion Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Wian Conradie Back row Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia
Cam Davidowicz Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Ethan Fryer Back row Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Jerónimo Gómez Vara Back row Flag of Argentina.svg Argentina
Joe Johnson* Back row Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Kaipono Kayoshi Back row Flag of the United States.svg United States
Jed Melvin Back row Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
PlayerPositionUnion
Oscar Lennon Scrum-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Cameron Nordli-Kelemeti* Scrum-half Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji
John Poland Scrum-half IRFU flag.svg Ireland
Harrison Boyle Fly-half Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Jayson Potroz Fly-half Flag of New Zealand.svg New Zealand
Simon-Peter Toleafo Fly-half Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
Ben LeSage Centre Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Le Roux Malan Centre Flag of Namibia.svg Namibia
Faletoi Peni Centre Flag of Samoa.svg Samoa
Jack Reeves* Centre Flag of England.svg England
Wayne van der Bank Centre Flag of South Africa.svg South Africa
Paula Balekana Wing Flag of Fiji.svg Fiji
Isaac Olson Wing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Josiah Morra Wing Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada
Killan Coghlan Fullback Flag of the United States.svg United States
Brock Webster Fullback Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg Canada

Head coaches tenures

Captains

Leadership

Staff for 2025 Major League Rugby Season: [7]

Staff PositionName
Head Coach Ryan Martin
Assistant CoachDewald Senegal
Assistant CoachPom Simona
General ManagerTom Kindley

Owners [8]

PositionName
Co-Founder, Owner and CEO Alex Magleby
Co-Founder, Owner and ChairmanErrik Anderson
Owner and Board MemberAngad Banga
Owner and Board MemberDavid Barry
Owner and Board MemberJonathan Bobbett
Owner Patrick Chung
Owner Nate Ebner

Records

Season standings

SeasonConferenceRegular seasonPostseason
PosPldWDLFA+/−BPPtsPldWLFA+/−Result
2020 [a] Eastern9th5104139158-1959------Cancelled
2021 Eastern6th161006360332+28848------Did not qualify
2022 Eastern1st161303454328+1268621011624-8Lost Conference Final (Rugby New York) 16–24
2023 Eastern1st161402556273+28312682205031+19Won Conference Final (Old Glory DC) 25-7
Won Major League Rugby final San Diego Legion 25-24
2024 Eastern1st161105463344+88--552204328+15Won Conference Final (Chicago Hounds)23-17
Won Major League Rugby final Seattle Seawolves 20-11
Totals694902019721435+5373324254110983+263 postseason appearances

Notes

  1. ↑ 2020 regular season shortened and playoffs cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Head coaches

CoachTenureYearsRecordPct.Playoff recConference championsMLR Championships
Flag of the United States.svg Josh Smith2018-202021-4(.200)0-000
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ryan Martin2020-2021110-6(.625)0-000
Flag of South Africa.svg Scott Mathie 2021-2024338-10(.786)5-122
Flag of New Zealand.svg Ryan Martin2024-present11-1(.500)0-000

2019 season

All games in the 2019 season were exhibition games and did not count in the league standings; the team played to a record of 1–7, losing their first seven games and winning their final match of the season.

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
October 20, 2018 Ontario Arrows Away Wanderers Grounds Lost, 14–40
December 1, 2018 Rugby United New York Home Union Point Sports Complex Lost, 35–38
February 9, 2019 Utah Warriors AwayZions Bank Training CenterLost, 15–70
March 16, 2019 Connacht A [9] Home Union Point Sports Complex Lost, 7–38
March 24, 2019 Ulster A [9] Home Union Point Sports Complex Lost, 15–43
April 6, 2019 Munster A [9] HomeIrish Cultural Centre GAA FieldLost, 19–38
April 14, 2019 Leinster A [9] Home Harvard Mignone Field Lost, 12–55
May 18, 2019 Toronto Arrows Home Brophy Field at Dartmouth's
Corey Ford Rugby Clubhouse 		Postponed
June 1, 2019 Lansdowne F.C. HomeIrish Cultural Centre GAA FieldWon, 46–29

2020 season

On March 12, 2020, MLR announced the season would go on hiatus immediately for 30 days due to fears surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic. [10] Seven days later, MLR announced that the season was officially cancelled. [11] The Free Jacks finished the short season 9th in the MLR, 6th in the Eastern Conference. [12]

Exhibition

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
January 18 New England Independents Home Union Point Sports Complex Won, 39–7
January 18New England IndependentsHome Union Point Sports Complex Won, 84–21

Regular season

The team accrued a 1–4 record before the season was halted.

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 8 Rugby United New York Home Sam Boyd Stadium Won, 34–14
February 15 Utah Warriors AwaySam Boyd StadiumLost, 33–39
February 23 San Diego Legion Away Torero Stadium Lost, 21–30
February 29 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Sports Lost, 29–44
March 7 NOLA Gold Away The Gold Mine Lost, 22–31
March 14 Houston SaberCats Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled
March 22 Rugby ATL AwayLife University Running Eagles StadiumCancelled
April 5 Colorado Raptors Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled
April 10 Toronto Arrows AwayTBDCancelled
April 18 Old Glory DC Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled
April 25 NOLA Gold Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled
May 1 Rugby United New York Away MCU Park Cancelled
May 9 Austin Gilgronis Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled
May 16 Toronto Arrows Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled
May 24 Old Glory DC Away Cardinal Stadium Cancelled
May 30 Rugby ATL Home Union Point Sports Complex Cancelled

2021 season

The Free Jacks' first game of the 2021 season was played on March 20, facing LA Giltinis in Los Angeles. [13]

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
March 20 LA Giltinis Away Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Lost, 27–42
March 27 Houston SaberCats Away Aveva Stadium Won, 32-0
April 3 Utah Warriors Home Union Point Sports Complex Won, 22-21
April 17 NOLA Gold Away Shrine on Airline Lost, 30-29
April 25 Old Glory DC Away Segra Field Lost, 29-35
May 1 San Diego Legion Away Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Won, 33-17
May 8 Austin Gilgronis HomeUnion Point Sports ComplexWon, 22-18
May 15 Rugby ATL Away Life University Lost, 18-33
May 23 Rugby United New York Away Cochrane Stadium Lost, 19-29
May 29 Toronto Arrows HomeUnion Point Sports ComplexWon, 14-12
June 6Old Glory DCHomeUnion Point Sports ComplexWon, 38-34
June 13 Seattle Seawolves HomeUnion Point Sports ComplexWon, 25-21
June 27NOLA GoldHomeUnion Point Sports ComplexLost, 9-17
July 3Rugby United New YorkHomeUnion Point Sports ComplexWon, 22-6
July 11Toronto ArrowsAwayLife UniversityWon, 28-17
July 18Rugby ATLHome Veterans Memorial Stadium Won, 22-19

Source: [14]

2022 season

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 5 New Orleans Gold Away Gold Mine on Airline Won, 24-13
February 18 Old Glory DC Away Segra Field Won, 41-25
February 27 LA Giltinis Away Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum Lost, 15-19
March 6 Rugby New York Away John F. Kennedy Stadium Won, 38-29
March 12 Toronto Arrows Home Veterans Memorial Stadium Won, 21-15
March 19 Austin Gilgronis Away Bold Stadium Won, 25-17
March 26 Rugby ATL Away Silverbacks Park Won, 41-27
April 2New Orleans GoldHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumWon, 33-29
April 9 Seattle Seawolves HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumWon, 24-22
April 24Rugby New YorkAwayJohn F. Kennedy StadiumWon, 29-26
April 30 Utah Warriors HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumWon, 33-17
May 7Old Glory DCHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumWon, 26-20
May 13Rugby ATLHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumWon, 15-10
May 19Toronto ArrowsAway York Lions Stadium Lost, 18-33
May 29New Orleans GoldHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumWon, 57-5
June 3Rugby New YorkHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumLost, 14-21

Source: [15]

Post season

RoundDateOpponentHome/AwayVenueResult
East Conference FinalsJune 19 Rugby New York HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumLost, 16–24

2023 season

Preseason

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 8 Houston SaberCats Away SaberCats Stadium L, 21-34

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
February 17 New Orleans Gold Away The Gold Mine W, 36-12
February 26 San Diego Legion Away Snapdragon Stadium L, 12-29
March 11 Old Glory DC Home Veterans Memorial Stadium W, 34-31
March 19 Rugby New York Away Memorial Field W, 33-18
March 25 Dallas Jackals HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 10-9
March 31 Utah Warriors Away Zions Bank Stadium L, 24-26
April 8 Chicago Hounds HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 31-19
April 15 Toronto Arrows Away York Lions Stadium W, 80-5
April 22 Rugby ATL HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 23-13
April 30Rugby New YorkHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 8-0
May 14Old Glory DCAway Segra Field W, 42-12
May 21New Orleans GoldHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 50-3
May 27Toronto ArrowsHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 57-20
June 2Rugby ATLAway Silverbacks Park W, 35-14
June 11 Seattle Seawolves Away Starfire Stadium W, 34-26
June 18 Houston SaberCats HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 47-24

Post Season

RoundDateOpponentLocationResult
East Conference FinalsJuly 1, 2023 Old Glory DC Veterans Memorial Stadium W, 25-7
MLR Grand FinalJuly 8, 2023 San Diego Legion SeatGeek Stadium W, 25-24

2024 season

Preseason

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
January 22 Dallas Jackals Neutral SaberCats Stadium L, 22-24

Regular season

DateOpponentHome/AwayLocationResult
March 3 Anthem RC Away American Legion Memorial Stadium W, 46-13
March 9 Old Glory DC Home Veterans Memorial Stadium L, 34-35
March 16 New Orleans Gold HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 27-21
March 24 Chicago Hounds Away SeatGeek Stadium W, 22-17
April 6 Miami Sharks HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 25-3
April 13 Houston SaberCats Away SaberCats Stadium W, 47-35
April 20 Seattle Seawolves HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumL, 21-29
April 28 RFC Los Angeles Away Dignity Health Sports Park W, 34-12
May 5Chicago HoundsHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumL, 20-26
May 19 San Diego Legion Away Snapdragon Stadium W, 24-23
May 25Miami SharksAway Chase Stadium L, 15-13
June 2 Dallas Jackals HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 26-24
June 8 Old Glory DC AwayMaryland SoccerPlexW, 31-30
June 16 Utah Warriors HomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 36-27
June 22New Orleans GoldAway Gold Mine on Airline L, 17-27
June 29Anthem RCHomeVeterans Memorial StadiumW, 40-7

Post Season

RoundDateOpponentLocationResult
East Conference SemifinalsJuly 20, 2024 Old Glory DC Veterans Memorial Stadium Won, 33-29
East Conference FinalJuly 27, 2024 Chicago Hounds Veterans Memorial StadiumWon, 23-17
ChampionshipAugust 4, 2024 Seattle Seawolves Snapdragon Stadium Won, 20-11

Entertainment

Mascot

On May 7, 2021, the Free Jacks announced a mascot, Woodgy, a furry blue creature with rugby headband tape who wears Free Jacks rugby kit. [16]

Academy

New England Independents

On January 8, 2020, the Free Jacks announced that they would compete in two preseason matches against the New England Independents, a brand new select team of local All-Star talent representing eight clubs throughout New England. [17] Adam Zilcoski, of the Boston Irish Wolfhounds, was selected as the head coach.

Roster

Squad for 2020 Major League Rugby Preseason: [18] [19]

Note: Flags indicate national union under World Rugby eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-World Rugby nationality.

PlayerPositionUnion
Blades Shields Hooker Flag of the United States.svg United States
David McKenna Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Kyle Ciquera Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Sean Moran Prop Flag of the United States.svg United States
Timmy O’Connor Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Cody Davidowicz Lock Flag of the United States.svg United States
Ryan Hargraves Flanker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Paul Taylor Flanker Flag of the United States.svg United States
Cam Davidowicz Number 8 Flag of the United States.svg United States
PlayerPositionUnion
Ian Luciano Scrum-half Flag of Australia (converted).svg Australia
Andrew Menton Fly-half Flag of the United States.svg United States
Adnan Kawuma Centre Flag of the United States.svg United States
Jared Collinson Centre Flag of the United States.svg United States
Brad Patterson Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
Andrew Marshall Wing Flag of the United States.svg United States
David Buchanan Fullback Flag of the United States.svg United States

Regional academies

ClubRegion
the Alarm Boston
Champs Champlain
Cobblers North Shore
Granite HammersSouthern New Hampshire
Lightfoots Western MA
Mutineers Rhode Island
Night WatchUpper CT
Pathfinders Central MA
Pine RiotersSouthern Vermont & New Hampshire
River RangersUpper Valley
the Sea SerpentsMaine Seacoast
Silver Sharks South Shore
Whistle PunksNew England North

[20]

Junior Jacks

The Junior Jacks are the youth academy level for the Free Jacks.

References

  1. ↑ "New England Free Jacks Roster Announced". The Runner Sports. 2018-10-19. Retrieved 2019-01-18.
  2. ↑ "Major League Rugby confirms Boston and Atlanta for 2020 - Americas Rugby News". Americasrugbynews.com. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  3. ↑ "Patriots Patrick Chung, Nate Ebner embracing roles as Major League Rugby minority owners".
  4. ↑ "New England Free Jacks Expand Ownership, Introduce Nate Ebner & Patrick Chung - The Runner Sports".
  5. ↑ "New England Free Jacks". Americas Rugby News. Retrieved 31 December 2023.
  6. ↑ "Free Jacks Appoint Scott Mathie Head Coach and Mike Rogers Senior Assistant". Major League Rugby. Retrieved 2021-12-10.
  7. ↑ "Staff". New England Free Jacks. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  8. ↑ "Leadership". New England Free Jacks. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  9. 1 2 3 4 "Free Jacks To Host Irish Provincial 'A' Sides". Thisisamericanrugby.com. Retrieved 23 November 2018.
  10. ↑ Anonymous, "MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY SUSPENDS 2020 SEASON FOR 30 DAYS," www.majorleague.rugby, March 12, 2020 Retrieved March 14, 2020
  11. ↑ "Major League Rugby cancels remainder of 2020 campaign". Yahoo! Sports. AFP. March 19, 2020. Retrieved March 19, 2020.
  12. ↑ "Standings". Major League Rugby. Retrieved 28 May 2020.
  13. ↑ Banks, Doug (March 20, 2021). "Professional rugby team New England Free Jacks to debut in Massachusetts". masslive.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  14. ↑ "2021 Scheduled". freejacks.com. Retrieved March 21, 2021.
  15. ↑ "2022 Scheduled". freejacks.com. Retrieved January 13, 2022.
  16. ↑ "𝙒𝙤𝙤𝙙𝙜𝙮 – 𝚠𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚘𝚍 𝚌𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚝𝚞𝚛𝚎 𝚘𝚏 𝚕𝚎𝚐𝚎𝚗𝚍 | New England Free Jacks" . Retrieved 2021-05-10.
  17. ↑ "The New England Free Jacks, Boston's First Professional Rugby Team, Announce Two Free Preseason Matches In The Month Of January At Union Point Sports Complex | New England Free Jacks" . Retrieved 2021-06-21.
  18. ↑ “1-18-2020 New England Independents Squad”
  19. ↑ "1-24-2020 New England Independents Squad”
  20. ↑ "FREE JACKS LAUNCH NEW ENGLAND-WIDE ACADEMY". freejacks.com. 2020-09-24. Retrieved 2020-09-24.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.