FreeJacks confirm 10 new signings

New Major League Rugby team, the New England FreeJacks have released a preliminary roster of 33 players for the 2020 Major League Rugby season.

Among the names are ten players new to the expansion side based in Boston who did not appear during the spring exhibition campaign. At least two further additions currently attached to professional sides will be unveiled ‘shortly’ according to a media release.

Former New Zealand Sevens regular Beaudein Waaka headlines the newcomers. The 25-year-old utility back broke into the senior Taranaki squad as a 19-year-old flyhalf in 2013 and spent three seasons on the HSBC Sevens Series from 2014-2017.

Fijian international Naulia Dawai, arrives from Otago, where he returned after a two-year spell with Irish province Connacht in the Guinness Pro Championship. 

He is joined by two further Fijian reps on the incoming list. 25-year-old Poasa Waqanibau, an outside center or wing, joins from the Fijian Drua having also spent two seasons with Canterbury. He played for the Fiji Warriors in the 2015 Pacific Challenge.

Loosehead prop Isaac Cavu is Australian born and raised but was part of the victorious Fiji entry at the 2017 World Rugby u20 Trophy tournament. He has been playing his club rugby for Queensland Premier side GPS.

The front row will have an international flavor to it as returning props Simon Courcoul and Tony Purpura are also joined by Tongan international Tolu Fahamokioa.

Canadian second row Josh Larsen, 25, makes the jump from Austin Elite. He has won 12 caps since debuting in November 2017 and was a surprise omission in Canada’s squad for the PNC after playing 13 games for the Elite in 2019 and acting as vice-captain. 

More Mitre 10 Cup experience comes in the form of 28-year-old Liam Steel from Bay of Plenty. He was first choice for the Steamers during the 2018 season, largely at outside center though he is comfortable playing across the three-quarter line.

John Poland was the starting scrumhalf for Ireland during the 2016 u20 Six Nations Championship but couldn’t break into the senior Munster squad behind established names Conor Murray and Duncan Williams. 

Full article via Americas Rugby News