Playoffs Archives - Major League Rugby https://www.majorleague.rugby/news-categorie/playoffs/ Official Website Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:47:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.7.1 Looking For Perfection In 2025 – Rumball On Hound Hopes https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/looking-for-pperfection-in-2025-rumball-on-hound-hopes/ Sat, 26 Apr 2025 18:38:18 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=14760 Written by Joe Harvey The Chicago Hounds and Lucas Rumball are still on the hunt for perfection in 2025. The Chicago Hounds captain has been a key player as the team has set the pace in Major League Rugby. In Week 10, Rumball and his teammates tasted defeat for just the second time in 2025. …

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Written by Joe Harvey

The Chicago Hounds and Lucas Rumball are still on the hunt for perfection in 2025.

The Chicago Hounds captain has been a key player as the team has set the pace in Major League Rugby.

In Week 10, Rumball and his teammates tasted defeat for just the second time in 2025.

The back-row forward scored a try in the team’s 28-22 loss, as the much-changed Midwesterners returned home with just a losing bonus point.

Regardless of the result, Chicago has maintained a frontrunner in the Eastern Conference, and their position makes them favorites of many to lift the Shield later this year.

Photo by John Matthew Harrison

Even after a start to the season that included a six-game unbeaten run, there is a sense of more to come from the group at SeatGeek Stadium. 

“We’re feeling pretty good,” Rumball said. “We’re happy with where we are. But I wouldn’t say the mood is satisfied.

“There’s still a good bit of hunger around the room in meetings and in training. We still have guys pushing for spots. 

“We’ve been happy with the wins we’ve been getting, but I don’t know if we’re satisfied with the performances in the 80 minutes.

“We have left points out there a few times. Whether it’s completing sets or maybe a ball not going to hand or a mental error.

“You’re always striving for perfection when it comes to the weekend – and it’s probably something you are ever going to achieve in your career. You rarely see someone play a perfect game.

“For us, it’s all about pushing ourselves to the next level and getting better each week so that when the Playoffs come around, we are in a good spot, peaking at the right time.”

Deciphering what is behind Chicago’s electric start to the season is relatively straightforward.

In 2024, the team ventured into the postseason for the first time. 

They went all the way to the Eastern Conference Final, where a 23-17 defeat at the hands of the eventual champions, the New England Free Jacks, was their undoing.

With talent, experience, and guile smattered throughout the squad, it was already clear this team was ready to take another step forward.

To do just that, the team appointed Chris Latham as head coach.

A legendary Australian full-back, who has since forged a reputation as an attack-minded coach, arrived in the Windy City after a year as an assistant with the Seattle Seawolves.

But on top of the scintillating attack, Latham has brought a new mentality to this Hounds team.

“I think the thing that’s changed the most would be the mental and emotional side of things off the field,” Rumball explained. 

“On the field, we strive for a positive environment, celebrating the small victories and the big victories.

“When things don’t go to hand, it’s not about having a go or freaking out. It’s about getting back to what we do, doing what we know.

“That process has probably changed the on-field results. Because if you look at last year, we weren’t losing games by a lot, they were tight losses. I think that mentality shift has made a huge impact.

Photo by Griff Lacey

“With Chris and the team, that change has been evident from day one. 

“They want us to be positive with each other, to be upbeat. A team that’s not afraid of making mistakes or gets down when they do but celebrates things when they come off.

“Every week, we bring it in, bring that focus back to make sure we celebrate what’s going right and fix what’s going wrong. It’s really interesting, because it sounds like a small thing.”

In Week 11, Rumball and his teammates will travel to Zions Bank Stadium to play for the Utah Warriors.

Utah is fresh from a win over its Western Conference rivals, San Diego Legion, and has won four of its past five outings.

Greg Cooper’s team has been in emphatic form and was the only side to beat the Hounds prior to Week 10.

In the weeks after the Hounds play the Utah Warriors in Week, they will take on the Miami Sharks, New England Free Jacks, Rugby Football Club Los Angeles, and Anthem RC in what could be a season-defining run of fixtures.

There is little doubt that this Saturday night clash will offer its challenges.

However, for a Chicago team that aims to get back to winning ways and tighten their grip on their spot in the East, the focus is completely on gaining that full-game performance in a season that Rumball has branded as the most competitive yet.

“Every week this year, it’s a physical battle,” Rumball said. 

“It’s also a skill battle because teams can exploit your weaknesses. You have to be prepped and ready to go every week.

“We just have to continue to grow. We’re chasing that 80-minute performance from the guys, and I don’t think we’ll be satisfied until we get it.

“Every week, you look at the table, and even though teams might not be winning every week, they are still right behind you. I don’t think we feel comfortable.”

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HIGHLIGHTS | 2024 MLR CHAMPIONSHIP | Seattle Seawolves vs. New England Free Jacks https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/highlights-2024-mlr-championship-seatte-seawolves-vs-new-england-free-jacks/ Mon, 05 Aug 2024 15:11:10 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13723 With a win over the Seattle Seawolves, the New England Free Jacks secured a consecutive Major League Rugby Champion title. Played in front of a record 12,085 crowd at the San Diego Legion’s Snapdragon Stadium, the 2024 MLR Championship title was claimed thanks largely to the kicking of playmaker Jayson Potroz and a try by …

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With a win over the Seattle Seawolves, the New England Free Jacks secured a consecutive Major League Rugby Champion title. Played in front of a record

12,085 crowd at the San Diego Legion’s Snapdragon Stadium, the 2024 MLR Championship title was claimed thanks largely to the kicking of playmaker Jayson Potroz and a try by Le Roux Malan.

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MLR CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL REVIEW: FREE JACKS RETAIN SHIELD IN 2024 https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/mlr-championship-final-review-free-jacks-retain-shield-in-2024/ Sun, 04 Aug 2024 23:46:44 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13720 The New England Free Jacks crowned themselves back-to-back Major League Rugby champions with a 20-11 win over the Seattle Seawolves. Scott Mathie’s team was guided to consecutive MLR Championship Final victories, thanks largely to the kicking of playmaker Jayson Potroz and a brilliant first-half try for Le Roux Malan. Played in front of a record …

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The New England Free Jacks crowned themselves back-to-back Major League Rugby champions with a 20-11 win over the Seattle Seawolves.

Scott Mathie’s team was guided to consecutive MLR Championship Final victories, thanks largely to the kicking of playmaker Jayson Potroz and a brilliant first-half try for Le Roux Malan.

Played in front of a record 12,085 crowd at the San Diego Legion’s Snapdragon Stadium, the men from Massachusetts were durable across the fixture to bring the Shield home for a second year.

In the opening exchanges, what each team wanted to bring to the winner-takes-all encounter became clear.

New England hoped to keep the ball in play and tire out their opponents, while Seattle looked to attack in high values with an almost surgical approach.
After testing blows opened the match beneath the blazing sun in California, it was the Free Jacks that struck first.

Divan Rossouw did not roll away quick enough for referee Luke Rogan, and Jayson Potroz received the opening place kick of the game, which he dispatched with ease.

From the following kick-off Josh Larsen conceded a penalty for the same offence, however Seattle fly-half Mack Mason missed the kick.

A serene lineout move helped Namibia international Malan score a try worth of the occasion in the 14th minute.

Hooker Andrew Quattrin looked to break away from a developing maul, who passed the ball against the grain to roaming wing Toby Fricker.

After trading carries with Quattrin toward the try line, Oscar Lennon spread the ball to the near touchline with a bullet pass to Malan, who contorted his body to dot down in the corner.

Following the water break, Mason found his range from the kicking tee when the Free Jacks did not roll away again.

Potroz did kick his team another three points ahead, but the Seawolves all but erased an early eight-point lead.

Winning a lineout deep in New England territory, the side produced a trick move that confounded everyone at Snapdragon Stadium.

Joe Taufete’e threw the ball into Jean Droste, the blindside flanker handed the ball off to Rhyno Herbst, whose offload made its way to Taufete’e to register his team’s opening try.

To take in a 14-8 lead at half time Potroz struck a third penalty of the half following a no-arms tackle from Seawolves lock Herbst to concede his team’s sixth penalty of the opening 40 minutes.

In the opening exchanges of the second half Potroz and Mason traded penalties and kept the game in the balance.

That six point buffer between the two teams soon extended to nine when the officials returned to an earlier dangerous tackle after Fricker was pushed into touch diving toward the corner.

USA Eagles Pite Lopeti was ultimately shown a yellow card for his indiscretion.
It could have been red for the center if there had not been mitigation for Malan’s last-second change of direction.

Seattle survived the 10 minute period playing with a player down.
It was not for lack of trying on the Free Jacks’ front, with a Malan kick towards the touchline drifting into the Seattle in-goal area and several other attacks came to nothing.

When restored to their full complement, the Seawolves looked to take advantage of playing with equal numbers.

Consistently venturing into Free Jacks territory came to nothing, with the excellent defence from the 2023 champions confounding their opponents.
The odds continued to be stacked against Seattle when injury to Droste meant that the Western Conference champions finished the game with 14 players on the field.

Despite being a player down, the Seawolves looked to end the game with a score.

Each time, New England was able to frustrate their opponents with last-gasp turnovers and steadfast belief in the player standing next to them.

Jed Melvin, Player of the Match, said: “The coaches have pushed the Free Jacks to be more than just a rugby team.
“We are a community, a family; we look out for each other. The brotherhood in this team is incredible.

“Doing it back to back is pretty special.
“Seattle is a pretty physical team—a big team. We just wanted to keep working them and working them around the park.
“It went down to the wire. The boys were getting cramps, but we got it done.”

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MLR Championship Preview: Seattle Seawolves vs New England Free Jacks https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/mlr-championship-preview-seattle-seawolves-vs-new-england-free-jacks/ Sat, 03 Aug 2024 01:54:39 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13711 Written by Joe Harvey It was 22 weeks ago that the 2024 Major League Rugby season got underway. One hundred two matches later, the Seattle Seawolves and New England Free Jacks are contending to lift the Shield in the Championship at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. DJ Marshmello will be performing at the annual title match, …

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Written by Joe Harvey

It was 22 weeks ago that the 2024 Major League Rugby season got underway.

One hundred two matches later, the Seattle Seawolves and New England Free Jacks are contending to lift the Shield in the Championship at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

DJ Marshmello will be performing at the annual title match, which will be broadcast live on FOX.

There is ample motivation for both teams looking to secure victory in California on Sunday afternoon.

Allen Clarke’s Seattle Seawolves are hoping to secure a third MLR crown and their first since 2019, while the New England Free Jacks are looking to lock up back-to-back titles after their 25-24 win against San Diego Legion a year ago.

Photo provided by Seattle Seawolves

GETTING TO SAN DIEGO

Before a ball was even kicked in 2024, the Free Jacks were the team to beat.

The New England Free Jacks became Champions a year ago with their dramatic victory against San Diego in Chicago; Scott Mathie’s side came into a new season knowing they were being hunted.

In Week 2, they gained further proof of this when Old Glory DC came to Veterans Memorial Stadium and secured a 35-34 victory.

An early reality check for the squad, the side went on a four-game winning streak before the Seawolves rolled into town and registered a 29-21 win.

Although the Free Jacks ended the regular season with five losses and 11 wins, they continually found a way to win.

This could no more be seen than in their playoffs performances.

Photo provided by New England Free Jacks

Against Old Glory DC and the Chicago Hounds, New England was able to grind out a result and frustrated its opponents.

Reece Macdonald was a key figure in the 23-17 win over the Hounds less than a week ago.

Scoring a quickfire brace of tries in front of his home fans, the New Zealander continued his good form this year to put clear daylight between New England and their visitors.

Now, on the eve of contending for a second title in as many years, the full-back believes that his team’s one-game-at-a-time approach has paid off.

“At the start of the year, we talked about it a little bit,” Macdonald said.

“But we also said that this was a new year, a new bunch of boys, and we wanted to leave our own legacy.

“We just take it one game at a time. Every win we take, and we have got this far.

“We are very, very happy. We have put in a lot of work in over the last seven months. It was a big year.

“You will always have a target on your back after winning it the year before.

“We kind of took it one game at a time and stoked to have the chance to play in a final again.”

This week, Ryan Rees’s 79th-minute try in the dying embers of their Western Conference Final secured their place.

Divan Rossouw was the player who unlocked the Dallas Jackals’ defense in the closing stages.

With the clock ticking towards the 80-minute mark, some at Starfire Sports Complex could have been forgiven for thinking that Seattle’s efforts were insufficient.

But when the Namibia international broke through Dallas jerseys and guided a pass to Rees to score, there was a roar from all in attendance and, making way for the club’s fourth appearance in the Championship Final.

“It is a privilege and honor to play in a final,” Rossouw said.

“We talked about it in training; there are many good rugby players who go through their careers and never get the opportunity.

“That is something you need to respect, but also something you can get excited about.

“That is why you play the game. To win.

“Making the Championship Final has been our goal all season. We are just really excited about the opportunity and looking forward to the game.

“It is going to be tough. But also a really good game.”

All season, the Seawolves looked like they would be in the race for the Shield.

Finishing the same 11-5 record as the Free Jacks, early on, the Pacific Northwest team was setting the standard in the Western Conference.

Ultimately, the Houston SaberCats finished the regular season as the top seed in their division but failed to advance past the Conference Semifinals.

Safe in the knowledge that the side has beaten the Free Jacks in Massachusetts, the de facto home team will be confident in how best to take on New England.

Photo provided by Seattle Seawolves

ADDING ANOTHER STAR

For the first time, the Championship will see two MLR winners pitted against one another.

It has been five years since the Seawolves last lifted the Shield.

Then there was an almost entirely different cast of characters representing the club, with only JP Smith and the injured Riekert Hattingh the only two remaining players from that title-winning side.

A third star on their jersey would be a landmark achievement for the franchise.

Beaten at the final hurdle in 2022, victory this weekend would conclude a five-year search to return to the summit of rugby in North America.

With the self-belief in their skill and ability to break down an opposition defense almost at will, the side will back themselves underneath the SoCal sun and deliver another piece of silverware to the Emerald City.

“When I signed here, I wanted to come because I knew the history and wanted to win a Championship,” Rossouw said.

“A result would mean a great deal to us as players. There are a few boys chasing milestones and a third Championship. That is big.

“For me, possibly getting a first Championship victory of my career in MLR, that is massive.

“It would mean a great deal to the club and the players.”

Before getting on their flight to the west coast the Free Jacks were escorted to the airport by the Quincy Police Department.

Scott Mathie’s side is confident, given the full support of their community and the knowledge that they did all of this a year ago.

In many ways, there is no change for the club.

They have been harried and rushed all year by opponents looking to get one over on the 2023 champions.

So far, New England has dealt with that constant pressure well and must adopt the same approach for a final time this year.

With just two days to go until the 4 p.m. ET kick-off on FOX, Macdonald expects a scintillating encounter between the two teams.

“We are very similar in how we play,” Macdonald said.

“They like to throw the ball around a little bit, so do we, so hopefully it is an exciting game to watch. I am just looking forward to it.

“The club is like a community. The whole theme of the season is the Free Jack experience.

“The buy-in from the club itself, the people who work upstairs, the players, staff, and fans—they are all huge for the rugby community in the New England area.

“Going out there, expressing ourselves, having a bit of fun, and walking towards the pressure.

“We are going to be challenged. We have talked about that. We are just going to walk towards that pressure and take each step as it comes.”

Buy tickets for the 2024 MLR Championship

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2024 Conference Finals Extended Highlights | Major League Rugby https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/conference-finals-recap-major-league-rugby/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 14:14:08 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13683 Experience the 2024 MLR Playoffs presented by Sportsbreaks.com with a recap of the two Conference Finals matches. We’ll cover the major upsets, best tries, intense moments, and who claims the titles of Eastern and Western Conference Champions. Get an exclusive preview of the upcoming MLR Championship, which will air this Sunday at 4 PM ET …

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Experience the 2024 MLR Playoffs presented by Sportsbreaks.com with a recap of the two Conference Finals matches. We’ll cover the major upsets, best tries, intense moments, and who claims the titles of Eastern and Western Conference Champions. Get an exclusive preview of the upcoming MLR Championship, which will air this Sunday at 4 PM ET on FOX.

Matches covered:
Eastern Conference Final: New England Free Jacks vs. Chicago Hounds
Western Conference Final: Seattle Seawolves vs. Dallas Jackals

To watch the full match replay for free, visit The Rugby Network

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HIGHLIGHTS | Western Conference Final | Seattle vs Dallas https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/highlights-western-conference-final-seattle-vs-dallas/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 03:19:36 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13680 The Seattle Seawolves will play in their fourth MLR Championship next weekend in San Diego against the New England Free Jacks after knocking off the Dallas Jackals in an 80-minute thriller.

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The Seattle Seawolves will play in their fourth MLR Championship next weekend in San Diego against the New England Free Jacks after knocking off the Dallas Jackals in an 80-minute thriller.

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New England v Chicago | Eastern Conference Final Highlights https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/new-england-v-chicago-eastern-conference-final-highlights/ Mon, 29 Jul 2024 03:18:30 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13677 Reigning champions, the New England Free Jacks face a fierce Hounds in the Eastern Conference Final, claiming the Eastern Conference Champion title for the second consecutive year.

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Reigning champions, the New England Free Jacks face a fierce Hounds in the Eastern Conference Final, claiming the Eastern Conference Champion title for the second consecutive year.

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Western Conference Final Review: Seattle Reach Championship With Last-Minute Score https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/western-conference-final-review-seattle-reach-championship-with-last-minute-score/ Sun, 28 Jul 2024 23:03:09 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13665 Written by Joe Harvey Ryan Rees’ last-gasp try helped the Seattle Seawolves win the Western Conference with a 28-25 victory against the Dallas Jackals. The victory means that Allen Clarke’s team will play the New England Free Jacks in the Championship Final on Sunday, August 4. In a blow-for-blow affair at Starfire Sports Complex, Divan …

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Written by Joe Harvey

Ryan Rees’ last-gasp try helped the Seattle Seawolves win the Western Conference with a 28-25 victory against the Dallas Jackals.

The victory means that Allen Clarke’s team will play the New England Free Jacks in the Championship Final on Sunday, August 4.

In a blow-for-blow affair at Starfire Sports Complex, Divan Rossouw’s brilliance ultimately inspired the North Westerners to a fourth Championship.


Photo provided by the Seattle Seawolves

A quick start for Agustin Cavalieri’s team saw Dallas take an early lead.

Winning a scrum penalty, the side kicked a penalty through scrum-half Juan Dee Oliver to quieten the normally ferocious Starfire crowd with just three minutes played.

When Seattle’s Mack Mason missed a penalty moments afterward, it provided more confidence for the visiting team.

The pressure helped propel the Texas club back into their hosts’ 22m.

A lineout drive came to nothing, but the calm thinking of Oliver to go against the grain and send the ball to Jeronimo Gomez Vara, who fired an offload to Nic Benn to score in the corner.


Photo provided by the Dallas Jackals

Oliver’s conversion from the right touchline offered the small traveling contingent from Fort Worth greater cause from applause, although that jubilation soon turned to nervousness.

After their slow start, the Seawolves could not be subdued for much longer.
As the home side built phases of possession and trundled toward the try line,

Dallas continually gave away penalties within 10 meters of their own try line.
Eventually, the referee, Scott Green, saw no option but to send Juan Pablo Zeiss to the sin bin.


Photo provided by the Dallas Jackals

Within 30 seconds, the Argentine was joined by Makeen Alikhan on the sideline. The flanker dragged down Seattle’s maul, and a penalty try was awarded.

Following the water break, the Seawolves thought they had another try in the bag when Cameron Orr crossed the try line. However, his score was wiped off for Moni Ngakuru’s forward pass.

Even with two players down, Dallas found a way to keep on top.

A Martin Elias kick forward was mishandled by Sam Windsor and went forward into the arms of Conner Mooneyham. The accidental offside provided Oliver with another three points from the kicking tee.

Before half-time, more drama unfolded.

First, Ngakuru received a yellow card for a dangerous clear-out. Benn quickly took advantage of the extra space when Tomas Malanos offloaded to the wing in contact.

Joe Taufete’e registered Seattle’s second try of the game when he bulldozed beneath the posts, putting the teams six points apart at the break.

When each side was restored to its full numbers, the game became its most open and expansive.

On the stroke of 50 minutes, Seattle landed a hammer blow on the Jackals.
Carries from Tavite Lopeti and Windsor put the Seawolves two meters out, a
JP Smith show-and-go enough to offset the Jackals’ defenders and help the scrum-half stretch his body to score.

After the conversion, the home side took the lead for the first time in the game. Shortly after, if Smith had not fumbled the ball over the try line, they could have had another try.


Photo provided by the Seattle Seawolves

A long-range Oliver penalty missed the mark for Dallas. But, like all season, the South African was the catalyst to help his team cross the whitewash again.

Kicking a nonchalant 50:22 allowed Dallas to drive Tomas Bekerman over for his fifth try of the season, giving Dallas a four-point lead with just over 10 minutes still to play. The conversion clattered against the uprights.

Despite that late fightback, Dallas was forced to leave Washington heartbroken.

When Divan Rossouw received the ball in his own half, the Namibia international found a soft shoulder, drove into the Jackals’ 22m, and offloaded to replacement scrum-half Rees, who scored the deciding try.

After Windsor’s conversion put a little more daylight between the teams, that Starfire roar was back in full force and helped the side lock up a date with the New England Free Jacks next week in San Diego.

Buy tickets to the MLR Championship. 

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New England Free Jacks beat Chicago Hounds 23-17 in Eastern Conference Final https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/new-england-free-jacks-beat-chicago-hounds-23-17-in-eastern-conference-final/ Sat, 27 Jul 2024 20:37:15 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13663 Free Jacks defend Eastern Conference crown, advance to  MLR Championship for second-consecutive year QUINCY, Mass. (July 27, 2024) – The New England Free Jacks captured a second-straight Eastern Conference Championship, defeating the Chicago Hounds, 23-17, in the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday. With the win, the Free Jacks, the reigning Major League Rugby champions, advance …

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Free Jacks defend Eastern Conference crown, advance to  MLR Championship for second-consecutive year

QUINCY, Mass. (July 27, 2024) – The New England Free Jacks captured a second-straight Eastern Conference Championship, defeating the Chicago Hounds, 23-17, in the Eastern Conference Final on Saturday.

With the win, the Free Jacks, the reigning Major League Rugby champions, advance to the 2024 MLR Championship at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego where they will take on the winner of Sunday’s Western Conference Final between the Dallas Jackals and Seattle Seawolves. The Free Jacks used several defensive stands and key breakaway rushes to survive and advance.

How It Happened

Both teams went scoreless in the game’s first 19 minutes, which were defined by kicks and a jostle for field position. The New England defense thwarted a multi-stage effort at the line in the 13th minute, and, a minute later, it forced a turnover two meters from the tryline after a Chicago scrum. New England’s Reece Macdonald opened up the scoring with a try set up by a Paula Balekana offload. Macdonald would score again minutes later, beating defenders as he rushed three-quarters of the pitch to double the score. The Hounds found the scoreboard late in the half, as Adriaan Carelse broke a long run and offloaded to a streaking Nate Augsperger for a try that brought Chicago within a score entering halftime, 10-7.

New England’s Jayson Potroz found the uprights early in the second half to extend the Free Jack lead after missing each of his earlier kicks. Conner Keys picked up a yellow card in the 54th minute after slapping the ball in the ruck, setting up an easy penalty kick goal for Chicago’s  Luke Carty. As Keys spent 10 minutes in the sin bin, Potroz capitalized on a Chicago penalty to extend the Free Jack lead. Following a New England penalty, the Hounds went straight to the maul, which propelled Dylan Fawsitt to reach the tryline and give Chicago its first lead after Carty converted the ensuing kick. Andrew Quattrin would score the game’s final points and deciding try, giving the Free Jacks a lead with under eight minutes remaining

What’s Next

Chicago finishes the season, 9-8-1, marking a historic campaign in the franchise’s second season. The Hounds finished third in the Eastern Conference, earning its first playoff bid before beating the NOLA Gold in the Eastern Conference Semifinal for the team’s first playoff victory.

New England improves to 13-5-0 with the victory, securing a second-straight MLR Championship appearance. The 2024 MLR Championship will be broadcast on Sunday, Aug. 4, at 4:00 p.m. (ET) on FOX, and tickets are available at Major League Rugby’s website.

Scoring Breakdown

(NE, 19’) R. Macdonald Try (J. Potroz conversion kick attempt failed), NE leads 5-0

(NE, 23’) R. Macdonald Try, (J. Potroz conversion kick attempt failed), NE leads 10-0

(CHI, 40’) N. Augspurger Try, (Carty conversion kick), NE leads 10-7

(NE, 46’) J. Potroz Penalty Kick Goal, NE leads 13-7

(CHI, 54’) L. Carty Penalty Kick Goal, NE leads 13-10

(NE, 59’) J. Potroz Penalty Kick Goal, NE leads 16-10

(CHI, 65’) D. Fawsitt Try, (Carty conversion kick), CHI leads 17-16

(NE, 72’) A. Quattrin Try, (J. Potroz conversion kick), NE leads 23-17

Post-Game Sound Bites

New England Free Jacks Fullback Reece MacDonald on the post-game emotions…

The boys are just pumped. An unbelievable effort from the full team. The support is amazing; it really gets behind us, the boys. Just stoked, just happy.

On the atmosphere…

You can hear the chants going off when you’re warming up, when you’re in the changing room. It just lifts the boys. They get behind every player; they have their own chants. So proud to play in front of them.

New England Free Jacks Head Coach Scott Mathie on the best way to describe post-match feelings…

Like we spoke about earlier before the game, being grateful. I’ve got to give a lot of credit to my lord and savior Jesus Christ. We had a baby girl a couple weeks ago, my wife has sacrificed so much, and these players and staff have given so much to this experience today. We can only sit back and be grateful for all we have, and I think that’s the main thing for me – is being so grateful for these guys and these people that I’ve been on this journey with. It’s been awesome.

On the key to today’s victory…

It all goes back to the connection of this group. They are really tight; they have a lot of care for each other. I can speak about x’s and o’s and all of that stuff, but I genuinely believe it’s the love they have for each other and the willingness to trust each other when it gets a bit dark out there. I think it’s been like that the whole year. We’ve had to face a lot of adversity this year as a team, and to be able to stick in there, grind it out, it speaks volumes of what these boys do every day.

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Eastern Conference Final Review: New England Book Place In Championship Final https://www.majorleague.rugby/news/eastern-conference-final-review-new-england-book-place-in-championship-final/ Sat, 27 Jul 2024 20:33:24 +0000 https://www.majorleague.rugby/?post_type=news&p=13661 Written By Joe Harvey Reigning champions, the New England Free Jacks won the Eastern Conference for a second year running thanks to a 23-17 victory against the Chicago Hounds. Roving full-back Reece Macdonald was named Player of the Match for his two-try haul in the fixture. Now, the men from Massachusetts will wait and see …

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Written By Joe Harvey

Reigning champions, the New England Free Jacks won the Eastern Conference for a second year running thanks to a 23-17 victory against the Chicago Hounds.

Roving full-back Reece Macdonald was named Player of the Match for his two-try haul in the fixture.

Now, the men from Massachusetts will wait and see which of the Seattle Seawolves and Dallas Jackals will be joining them at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium in a week> While they ended the clash as victors, New England did not have everything their own way.

A last-gasp tackle from the Free Jacks’ Jed Melvin kept Maclean Jones out in the opening exchanges, and Nicolas Revol-Pitt could have scored the game’s opening try if Andrew Quattrin’s calf had not held up the ball.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Reece Macdonald finally broke the deadlock at an anxious Veteran’s Memorial Stadium.

Launching phases following a failed lineout move, New England created space out wide. When Oscar Lennon went against the grain to unleash Jayson Potroz, a lofted pass left to Paula Balekana and an inside ball were enough to send the New Zealander across the whitewash.

Having enjoyed his first foray over the try line, Macdonald decided to add a solo effort to his tally.

Collecting a Nick McCarthy kick in his own half, the 27-year-old zigged and zagged past Hounds jerseys to double his team’s lead in three minutes.
That double blow meant that the Hounds had plenty of work to do.

Luke Carty saw a long-range penalty attempt fail to hit the target as Chicago began to find a foothold.

Mounting pressure finally paid off on the stroke of half-time when Nate Augspurger made his way over the whitewash after a marauding Adriaan Carlese run.

With Carty’s conversion, the gap was just three points between the two clubs at half-time and set up a grandstand second 40 minutes in Massachusetts.
To settle their nerves when the second half resumed, Potroz slotted a penalty to keep the reigning champions on top.

As Chicago continued to frustrate their hosts, New England’s Conor Keys received a yellow card for cynical play.

From the resulting penalty, Carty put the Midwesterners back within touching distance.

Even so, the Hounds had to wait until after Keys returned to register another try.

Potroz had restored a six-point lead for the Free Jacks shortly before, but even with all their numbers, they could not stop Dylan Fawsitt from rumbling over the try line at the back of a trademark Hounds lineout maul.

After adding the conversion from out wide, Carty and his teammates were protecting a narrow lead and place in the Championship Final in the final 15 minutes.

It is a mark of champions to find a way to win even with the odds stacked against them.

Not having played their most sparkling or attractive rugby, New England was skillful as they battled back up the field to get within scoring distance.

While working through the phases, Quattrin provided the finishing touch and got the Free Jacks faithful roaring again.

It was a roar that did not peter out.

From the moment Quattrin touched down to Potroz’s enthusiastic kick to touch that ended the fixture, the Free Jacks were self-assured as they named themselves Eastern Conference champions for a second year running.

New England’s Reece Macdonald said: “The boys are just pumped. It was an unbelievable effort from the full team.

“The support was amazing. They really get behind us. I’m just so happy.
“We are going to get a good recovery in, plan our next few steps, enjoy this and then the next job happens.”

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