The 2023 Major League Rugby Championship Final was the fifth Major League Rugby (MLR) championship match, held at the conclusion of the 6th season of the rugby union club competition in North America. The match was played on July 8, 2023, at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview, Illinois. It was the first MLR Final to be held in Illinois, and the first since the 2019 final to be held at a pre-determined venue. The match was won by the New England Free Jacks over the San Diego Legion by a score of 25-24, claiming their first MLR Championship.
| Event | 2023 season | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Date | July 8, 2023 | ||||||
| Venue | SeatGeek Stadium, Bridgeview, Illinois | ||||||
| Man of the Match | Jayson Potroz | ||||||
| Referee | Joe James (England) | ||||||
| Attendance | 10,103 | ||||||
Background
edit| MLR Eastern Conference | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | ||
| New England Free Jacks (C) | 16 | 14 | 0 | 2 | 556 | 273 | +283 | 80 | 36 | 11 | 1 | 68 | |
| Rugby New York | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 428 | 387 | +41 | 62 | 52 | 10 | 1 | 43 | |
| Old Glory DC (SF) | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 408 | 443 | -35 | 60 | 62 | 11 | 2 | 43 | |
| New Orleans Gold | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 339 | 435 | -96 | 46 | 61 | 6 | 1 | 35 | |
| Rugby ATL | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 355 | 428 | -73 | 48 | 59 | 5 | 1 | 28 | |
| Toronto Arrows | 16 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 306 | 601 | -295 | 37 | 88 | 4 | 4 | 16 | |
| Tiebreakers
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreaker criteria are as follows (coin tosses or draw of lots will be used if those below fail):
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Green background indicates teams in position for the Eastern Conference Finals | |||||||||||||
| MLR Western Conference | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| P | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | ||
| San Diego Legion (RU) | 16 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 554 | 285 | +269 | 81 | 41 | 13 | 1 | 74 | |
| Seattle Seawolves (SF) | 16 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 509 | 348 | +161 | 67 | 48 | 9 | 2 | 59 | |
| Houston SaberCats | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 484 | 413 | +71 | 70 | 57 | 11 | 2 | 53 | |
| Utah Warriors | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 445 | 421 | +24 | 63 | 59 | 8 | 2 | 50 | |
| Chicago Hounds | 16 | 3 | 0 | 13 | 327 | 497 | -170 | 43 | 70 | 4 | 4 | 20 | |
| Dallas Jackals | 16 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 278 | 458 | -180 | 41 | 64 | 6 | 5 | 19 | |
| Tiebreakers
If teams are level at any stage, tiebreaker criteria are as follows (coin tosses or draw of lots will be used if those below fail):
| |||||||||||||
|
Green background indicates teams in position for the Western Conference Finals | |||||||||||||
On March 16, 2023, MLR announced that the Championship Final would be held at SeatGeek Stadium, the home ground of the Chicago Hounds.[1] The format for qualifying for the Championship Series remained the same from 2022, with the top-ranked team of each conference receiving a bye to the Conference Final, as well as home advantage. Likewise, the second-ranked team would host the third-ranked team of their respective conference, in the Eliminators.[2]
In the Western Conference, San Diego Legion qualified for the Championship Series following a victory over the defending Champions, Rugby New York. They were then able to secure the top ranking with a victory over the Toronto Arrows. The second-ranked team, the Seattle Seawolves, qualified following a victory over the Utah Warriors. The third-ranked team, Houston Sabercats, qualified following a victory over Old Glory DC.
In the Eastern Conference, New England Free Jacks qualified both for the Championship Series, and the top ranking, with a victory over the Toronto Arrows. The second-ranked team, Old Glory DC, qualified for the Championship series following their victory over New Orleans Gold. Finally, defending Champions, Rugby New York, qualified after their victory over Rugby ATL.
Championship Series
editWestern Conference
editIn the Western Eliminator, the Seattle Seawolves defeated Houston Sabercats 37-26, at Starfire Sports Stadium. This marked Seattle's fourth and Houston's second Championship Series appearances, respectfully. The teams had previously faced each other in the Championship Series in 2022.
| June 24 | Seattle Seawolves | 37–26 | Houston SaberCats | Starfire Stadium | ||
| 15:00 PDT | Try: Charles Elton 30' Adriaan Carelse 40' Riekert Hattingh 68' Juan-Philip Smith 78' Con: AJ Alatimu (3/3) 31', 69', 79' Automatic conversion 40' Pen: AJ Alatimu (3/3) 23', 42', 49' Cards: Sam Matenga  25'
|
Report | Try: Dom Akina 27' Davey Coetzer 51' Gideon van Wyk 60' Louritz van der Schyff 80+1' Con: Davey Coetzer (3/3) 28', 52', 60' Danny Barrett (0/1) Drop: Gerrie Labuschagné (0/1) |
Referee: Joe James (RFU)
Assistants: Luke Rogan (USAR) & Austin Reed (USAR) TMO: Nick Hannon (USAR) Man of the Match: Riekert Hattingh (Seattle Seawolves) |
In the Conference Final, Seattle were hosted by San Diego Legion, at Snapdragon Stadium, where the Legion won 32-10. This marked the third time San Diego has reached the Championship Series, and the first time they played in the Conference Final.[3] Seattle reached their second Conference Final in succession. This also marked San Diego and Seattle's fourth encounter in the post-season, having previously met in the 2018 semi-final, 2019 final, and 2022 eliminator.
| July 2 | San Diego Legion | 32–10 | Seattle Seawolves | Snapdragon Stadium | ||
| 15:00 PDT | Try: Fakaʻosi Pifeleti 25' Tomas Aoake (2) 57', 67' Marcel Brache 62' Con: Will Hooley (2/3) 26, 58' Automatic conversion 62' Pen: Will Hooley (1/1) 23' Drop: Ma'a Nonu (1/1) 11' Cards: Nathan Sylvia 65'
|
Report | Try: Ben Landry 65' Con: Jordan Chait (1/1) 66' Pen: Jordan Chait (1/1) 39' |
Referee: Cam Stone (NZR)
Assistants: Luke Rogan (USAR) & Kahlil Harrison (USAR) TMO: Chris Assmus (RC) Man of the Match: Ma'a Nonu (San Diego Legion) |
Eastern Conference
editThe Eastern Eliminator featured Rugby New York hosting Old Glory DC, with Washington upset New York 37-33. This was New York's third consecutive appearance in the Championship Series, having reached the Conference Final in 2021, and winning the Championship Final in 2022. This also marked DC's first appearance in the post-season, since their inception in 2020.
| June 25 | Rugby New York | 33–37 | Old Glory DC | Mount Vernon Memorial Stadium | ||
| 18:00 EDT | Try: Faʻasui Fuatai 1' Penalty try 27' Dylan Fawsitt (2) 33', 51' DaQuan Perry 80' Con: Sam Windsor (3/4) 34', 51', 80+1' Cards: Sam Davies 66' Tevita Langi 67'
|
Report | Try: William Talataina 4' Kyle Baillie 57' Penalty try 67' Kurt Baker 78' Con: Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (3/3) 5', 58', 79' Pen: Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (3/3) 8', 21', 38' Cards: Kyle Baillie 27' Lautaro Bavaro 33'
|
Attendance: 1,300 Referee: Federico Anselmi (UAR) Assistants: Chris Assmus (RC) & Cisco Lopez (USAR) TMO: Derek Summers (USAR) Man of the Match: Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (Old Glory DC) |
In the Conference Final, New England Free Jacks hosted Old Glory DC, at Veterans Memorial Stadium, winning the match 25-7. This was New England's second Eastern Conference final, having finished top of the Eastern ranking in both 2022 and 2023, and DC's first. The match also marked New England's and DC's first encounter in the Championship Series.
| July 1 | New England Free Jacks | 25–7 | Old Glory DC | Veterans Memorial Stadium | ||
| 17:30 EDT | Try: Le Roux Malan 4' Andrew Quattrin 12' Taniela Filimone 64' Con: Automatic conversion 4' Jayson Potroz (1/2) 65' Pen: Jayson Potroz (2/2) 18', 40+3' |
Report | Try: Thretton Palamo 72' Con: Joaquín Díaz Bonilla (1/1) 73' |
Attendance: 3,414 Referee: Joe James (RFU) Assistants: Federico Anselmi (UAR) & Peter Pender (RC) TMO: Chris Assmus (RC) Man of the Match: Mitch Jacobson (New England Free Jacks) |
Venue
editOn March 16, 2023, MLR announced that the Championship Final would be held at SeatGeek Stadium, the home ground of the Chicago Hounds.[1] Part of the festivities includes a pre-match DJ set by Shaquille O'Neal (as DJ Diesel,) and a post-match concert by Dropkick Murphys.[4]
Broadcasting
editThe match was broadcast in the United States on Fox, averaging 269,000 viewers.[5] It was available internationally on The Rugby Network.
Championship final
editDetails
editThe San Diego Legion were declared the "home" side, after accumulating more table points in the regular season.
| July 8 14:00 CDT |
| San Diego Legion | 24–25 | New England Free Jacks |
| Try: Christian Poidevin 9′ Nate Augspurger (2) 29′, 60′ Con: Will Hooley (3/3) 10′, 30′, 61′ Pen: Will Hooley (1/1) 40’+2′ Josh Henderson (0/1) Drop: Ma'a Nonu (0/1) | Report | Try: Mitch Jacobson 4′ Paula Balekana 45′ Le Roux Malan 76′ Con: Jayson Potroz (2/3) 5′, 46′ Pen: Jayson Potroz (2/2) 14′, 18′ |
| SeatGeek Stadium Attendance: 10,103[6] Referee: Joe James (RFU) Assistants: Cam Stone (NZR) & Lex Weiner (USAR) TMO: Nick Hannon (USAR) Man of the Match: Jayson Potroz (New England Free Jacks) |
References
edit- ^ a b "2023 MAJOR LEAGUE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP MATCH TO TAKE PLACE AT CHICAGO'S SEATGEEK STADIUM". Major League Rugby. Retrieved March 16, 2023.
- ^ "MLR Championship Series 2023". Major League Rugby.
- ^ San Diego did previously finish first in 2019, but this was prior to the introduction of conferences, and a Conference final.
- ^ Graham, Josh (May 11, 2023). "NBA icon to DJ at Major League Rugby final". Rugby World. Retrieved July 4, 2023.
- ^ Jon Lewis (July 11, 2023). "Weekly sports ratings: Gold Cup, NASCAR, top charts". Sports Media Watch.
- ^ "Chicago Hounds". Twitter. Retrieved July 9, 2023.