The Otago Whalers co-captain is carrying a hamstring injury and there is a chance the 29-year-old carpenter will not be able to play in this afternoon’s NZRL premiership semifinal against the Vulcans.
The lock is travelling to Auckland regardless. If he is not able to carry the ball into contact, he will carry instructions on to the field instead and fill in as a trainer.
But he would be a big loss. Free has been instrumental in the Whalers’ surprising form during their debut season in the premiership.
Leading into the campaign there was an unspoken fear in the Whalers camp they might end up on the wrong side of some lopsided scores, and they set themselves the modest goal of just being competitive.
They targeted the game against the Canterbury Bulls last weekend.
That match was always going to make or break the season and they came away with a convincing 32-14 win at Forsyth Barr Stadium.
They were good in patches during the 42-22 loss to the defending champions Akarana Falcons in their debut in the grade, and the 36-20 loss to Counties-Manukau might have had a different outcome had the Whalers not been reduced to 12 men after 25 minutes.
Free, who plays premier rugby for Harbour, was pleased with how his side performed in the top tier.
"It has at least met my expectations if not exceeded," he said.
"I definitely could not fault the effort the boys have put in.
"[The Bulls] game was always one we highlighted as winnable and in the other ones we wanted to be competitive. But as it turns out we probably could have won that Counties game if a few things had gone our way."
The question is whether the Whalers played their final against Canterbury and have perhaps emptied the tank.
"I don’t think so," Free responded.
"I just think we’ve got better each week. It was such a short turnaround from the club season the rep season that we’d only been together a week or two before those first games."
Free grew up in Dunedin and played for both the King’s and Otago Boys’ first XVs. He did not play any rugby league until he was in his 20s. But he was a quick learner.
He played a season with the Kia Toa Tigers club side and made the Whalers squad the following year in "about 2015".
Free played for a couple of seasons then took a break. Post Covid the rugby season and the rugby league season have dovetailed nicely and he has become a regular in the side.
He shares the captaincy reins with halfback Jordan McEntee-Walters.
They are charged with keeping the Whalers focused on the game plan.
They want to deny the Vulcans good field position, play an up tempo game and complete more sets of six.
Freedom Vaha’akolo will be a familiar face in the Vulcans backline.
He played 29 games for the Otago NPC team between 2020 and 2022, and also made three appearances for the Highlanders.
In the other semifinal the defending champions the Akarana Falcons will host Counties-Manukau. That match is also at Trusts Arena but at the earlier time of noon.
NZRL premiership semifinal
Auckland, 3pm
Otago Whalers: Opeti Tuimana, Matthew Vocea, Saia Fifita, Jordan McEntee-Walters, Mika Mafi, Troy Anstiss, Benjamin Latu, Michael Strydom, Louis Tili, Hagan Free, Noaese Foaitua, Sione Nau, Cameron Brown, Paea Fifita, Ma'ole Faletolu, Eli Ellison, Keenan Masina, Misinale Fifita, Solomon Pole, Layne Opetaia.
Auckland Vulcans: Siapo Pasene, Freedom Vaha’akolo, Francis Leger, Sefanaia Cowley-Lupo, Matthew Whyte, Fiohiva Faingaa, Presley Seumanu Tigafua, Dylan Tavita, Mike Williams, Patrick Sipley, Mosese Faeamani, Harry Durbin, Ben Wharton-Benedict, Huston Holloway, Makaia Tafua, Navajo Doyle, Zensei Inu, Sione Feao.
