Other >> Other Sports >> MLR >> New England Free Jacks

The New England Free Jacks are a professional rugby team. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, they are a member of the Major League Rugby.

Jed Melvin Recounts Championship Final Glory and Returning to New England

March 2, 2025 - Jed Melvin was a force to be reckoned with when he arrived at the New England Free Jacks midway through the 2024 season. In less than two months, the 24-year-old flanker established himself as one of the league's most astute operators and ended his season by not only lifting the Major League Rugby Shield but as the Championship Final's Player of the Match. Those weeks were nothing short of a whirlwind for Melvin. After starting the MLR season thousands of miles away in Auckland, working as a civil engineer allowed t... Full Story

'I Would Not be Shocked' - Wayne Van Der Bank on Free Jacks Three-Peat Credentials

January 25, 2025 - "I actually haven't reflected on the year," New England Free Jacks center Wayne van der Bank said. Major League Rugby's 2024 Player of the Year sat in his car, avoiding the cold ahead of leading a training session with teenagers in Massachusetts. In 2024, the 28-year-old South African was the standout player for the Free Jacks as they lifted the Shield for a second season in a row, beating the Seattle Seawolves 20-11 at Snapdragon Stadium in the Championship Final. The South African played in 17 MLR matches. He ga... Full Story

Reece MacDonald Named Major League Rugby Back of the Year

August 18, 2024 - During the 2024 Major League Rugby season, Reece Macdonald was thrilled to be part of the New England Free Jacks backline as his team lifted the Shield. For his exploits, the 27-year-old has been named Back of the Year. The full-back follows Nate Augspurger and Billy Meakes in winning the award. In 2024, clearly loving his rugby, the New Zealander unleashed an endless tirade of attacking runs and constant questions to defenders across the league. Reece Macdonald has scored his fifth try in just three games to ope... Full Story

Junior Gafa Named 2024 Major League Rugby Rookie of the Year

August 17, 2024 - For his dominant debut Major League Rugby season, Junior Gafa has been awarded Rookie of the Year. Picked 23rd overall in the 2023 MLR Collegiate Draft by the New England Free Jacks, the 23-year-old spent the season with Anthem RC on loan as the team played their inaugural year in the league. Starting 13 matches as Anthem finished at the bottom of the Eastern Conference, Gafa was a leading light for the year one team, which finished the regular season with a 0-16 record. Gafa's outings earned him three First XV of t... Full Story

• Jed Melvin Recounts Championship Final Glory and Returning to New England - March 2, 2025
  
• 'I Would Not be Shocked' - Wayne Van Der Bank on Free Jacks Three-Peat Credentials - January 25, 2025
  
• Reece MacDonald Named Major League Rugby Back of the Year - August 18, 2024
  
• Junior Gafa Named 2024 Major League Rugby Rookie of the Year - August 17, 2024
  
• Scott Mathie Named 2024 Major League Rugby Coach of the Year - August 16, 2024
  
• 2024 Major League Rugby Player of the Year - Wayne Van Der Bank - August 14, 2024
  
• Free Jacks Retain Shield in 2024 - August 4, 2024
  
• New England Free Jacks Beat Chicago Hounds 23-17 in Eastern Conference Final - July 27, 2024
  
• John Poland's Role in Senior Development Squad for the New England Free Jacks - June 7, 2024
  
• Free Jack's Le Roux Malan Ahead of Week 13 - May 23, 2024
  
• All Today's News

New England Free Jacks celebrate the Major League Rugby Championship
Team Photo Gallery
League: Major League Rugby
Home: Boston, Massachusetts
Class: Rugby
Website: New England Free Jacks site
Schedule: Full New England Free Jacks Schedule

Sun., May 4	W	Houston 17 at New England 36	Final
Tue., Apr 22	W	Los Angeles 21 at New England 23	Final
Fri., Apr 18	W	New England 26 at Carolina 6	Final
Sat., Apr 12	W	San Diego 12 at New England 39	Final
Sun., Apr 6	W	Miami 6 at New England 43	Final
Sat., Mar 29	L	New England 5 at Utah 26	Final
All times Eastern On game days, refresh page for latest results Full New England Free Jacks Schedule and Results

OurSports Central provides coverage of the following independent and minor league teams near the New England Free Jacks:

• Boston Ball Hogs (BIG3) - Boston, Massachusetts
  
• Boston Cannons (PLL) - Boston, Massachusetts
  
• Boston Fleet (PWHL) - Boston, Massachusetts
  
• Boston Guard (WLL) - Boston, Massachusetts
  
• Brockton Rox (FL) - Brockton, Massachusetts
  
• Massachusetts Pirates (IFL) - Lowell, Massachusetts
  
• New England Revolution (MLS) - Foxboro, Massachusetts
  
• New England Revolution II (MLS NEXT Pro) - Foxboro, Massachusetts
  
• New Hampshire Fisher Cats (EL) - Manchester, New Hampshire
  
• New Hampshire Mountain Kings (NAHL) - Hooksett, New Hampshire
  
• Northeast Generals (NAHL) - Boston, Massachusetts
  
• Providence Bruins (AHL) - Providence, Rhode Island
  
• Rhode Island FC (USL) - Pawtucket, Rhode Island
  
• Boston Legacy FC (NWSL) - Boston, Massachusetts
  

• VIDEO: Could be You this Weekend @TheNewEnglandFreeJacks #mlr2025 #sports - MLR YouTube (May 3)
  
• VIDEO: Hattrick Hero - Paula Balekana: New England vs Miami: MLR 2025 - MLR YouTube (May 1)
  
• VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS: New England vs Los Angeles - MLR YouTube (April 28)
  
• VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS: New England vs San Diego - MLR YouTube (April 14)
  
• VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS: New England vs Miami - MLR YouTube (April 7)
  
• VIDEO: It's a Beautiful Thing @TheNewEnglandFreeJacks #mlr2025 #rugby #teamwork - MLR YouTube (March 19)
  
• VIDEO: Intense Final Moments: New England Free Jacks V NOLA Gold - MLR YouTube (March 18)
  
• VIDEO: HIGHLIGHTS: New England vs NOLA - MLR YouTube (March 17)
  
• VIDEO: Big Player, Big Moments - Paula Balekana Delivers in Week 1 @TheNewEnglandFreeJacks - MLR YouTube (February 24)
  
• VIDEO: Can be the Difference Between Winning and Losing @TheNewEnglandFreeJacks: #MLR2025 - MLR YouTube (February 19)
  
• VIDEO: Same Same But Different @TheNewEnglandFreeJacks #rugby #MLR2024 - MLR YouTube (October 28)
  
• How Boston sports teams got their names: Celtics, Red Sox, Bruins history - MLR Boston Globe (October 18)
  
• All Today's New England Free Jacks Headlines