MLR Off-Season Update – New England Free Jacks

Despite a record-setting regular season campaign and a first-ever playoff appearance, the Free Jacks have not sat idly during the off-season. Once again there will be significant changes to the roster in 2023, with almost half their starters from last season now on the departures list.

MLR Player of the Year Beaudein Waaka has left for Japan, while Dougie Fife is left for New Orleans. Jack Reeves has been promoted to a senior contract at Gloucester, and Harry Barlow has joined the British Army. Erich de Jager has moved to France and Kiwi trio Jesse Parete, Terrell Peita, and Harrison Boyle have not returned from New Zealand. Meanwhile long-term injuries have forced farewells for Pieter Jansen, Stan van den Hoven, and Slade McDowall.

Replacing Waaka is Taranaki playmaker Jayson Potroz, and Tongan flyer Taniela Filimone fills the gap in the outside backs. The team’s Canadian contingent has grown with the arrivals of props Cole Keith and Conor Young, second row Conor Keys, and midfielders Ben LeSage and Spencer Jones.

New Zealand is New England’s other preferred land of recruitment. Kianu Kereru-Symes and Joel Hintz bolster the front row, with Semisi Paea an option at lock or blindside flanker. Mitch Jacobson is a top class addition on the flank, and he will be joined by Otago’s abrasive Sam Fischli. The latter is yet to be formally confirmed by the club, nor has flyhalf Reece MacDonald who led the Shute Shield in scoring this past year. Kieran McClea will challenge John Poland for the starting scrumhalf role.

On the leadership front there is stability at the top though two notable additions are defense specialist Will Webster and conditioning guru George Petrakos. The former has previously worked with the national teams of Kenya and Hong Kong, while the latter was at Glasgow Warriors and more recently Wasps.

Major upgrades have been made to their training facilities that now sees their entire operation based in Quincy. It bodes well for the future of a club that also boasts one of the best junior development setups in Major League Rugby.

Under Contract: Foster DeWitt (LH/HO, 2024), Mills Sanerivi (HO, 2023), Tevita Sole (TH, 2024), Josh Larsen (LO, 2023), Cam Davidowicz (FL/N8, 2023), John Poland (SH, 2023), Holden Yungert (SH, 2024), Le Roux Malan (CE, 2024), Wayne van der Bank (CE, 2026)

Re-signed: Kyle Ciquera (LH, 2024), Reegan O’Gorman (LO, 2023), Ethan Fryer (FL, 2023), Joe Johnston (FL, 2023), Wian Conradie (N8, 2023), Paula Balekana (WI, 2023), Zach Bastres (WI, 2024), Mitch Wilson (FB, 2024)

Collegiate Draft: Ivan Pula (PR, Central Washington), Tomás Casares (N8, Thomas More)

Dispersal Draft: Ben LeSage (CE, LA Giltinis)

New Signings: Cole Keith (LH, Toronto Arrows), Kianu Kereru-Symes (HO, Hawke’s Bay, NZ), Andrew Quattrin (HO, Toronto Arrows), Joel Hintz (TH, Hawke’s Bay, NZ), Conor Young (TH, Southern Districts, AU), Conor Keys (LO, Rugby ATL), Semisi Paea (LO/FL, Bay of Plenty, NZ), Sam Fischli (FL, Otago, NZ), Mitch Jacobson (FL, Waikato, NZ), Kieran McClea (SH, Otago, NZ), Reece MacDonald (FH, Gordon, AU), Jayson Potroz (FH, Taranaki, NZ), Spencer Jones (CE, Toronto Arrows), Taniela Filimone (WI, Manawatu, NZ), Willis Goodwin (FB, Chicago Lions)

Departures: Alex Johnston (LH), Quentin Newcomer (PR, Old Glory DC), Pieter Jansen (HO), Erich de Jager (Bourg-en-Bresse, FR), Spencer Krueger (TH), Javon Camp (LO, Hunter Wildfires, AU), Stan van den Hoven (LO), Mikaea Wynyard (LO, La Rochelle, FR), Jesse Parete (LO/FL), Slade McDowall (FL), Terrell Peita (N8), Sean Yacoubian (SH, Chicago Hounds), Harrison Boyle (FH), Beaudein Waaka (FH, Kobelco Steelers, JP), Jack Reeves (CE, Gloucester, UK), Harry Barlow (WI, British Army, UK), Dougie Fife (FB, NOLA Gold)

MLR Off-Season Update – New England Free Jacks .