Rugby is having a moment as league championship arrives in San Diego
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The Free Jacks beat the Seawolves to claim the MLR Championship. Photo: Courtesy of Major League Rugby
The Major League Rugby Championship drew a record crowd yesterday to Snapdragon Stadium, where the New England Free Jacks defended their title, defeating the Seattle Seawolves, 20-11, in a defensive battle.
Why it matters: The final game capped a season that saw the highest levels of attendance, talent and media interest in league history.
- More than 12,000 fans attended the match, breaking records for an MLR single game and MLR Championship.
The big picture: The league launched seven years ago — with the San Diego Legion as a founding club — and aggressive growth plans. The championship was the second major rugby match Snapdragon Stadium has hosted this summer.
- Just a few weeks ago, two of the sport's biggest international draws — New Zealand and Fiji — played there, too.
Context: The Free Jacks were the defending champs, having beaten the Legion in last year's final, while the Seawolves made their fourth title trip. Both teams had dominant 11-5-0 records heading into the playoffs.
- Tickets started at $35 and the game was broadcast nationally on FOX, with international coverage on The Rugby Network.
- International EDM sensation Marshmello performed at halftime.
Catch up quick: New England put points up first with a penalty kick goal, scoring the match's first of only two tries. The second came from Seattle in the 31st minute.
- The Free Jacks were up 14-8 at halftime and maintained the lead as both teams came up with big defensive stops in the second half.
What they're saying: "When you've won a championship… you get the very best of every team in the regular season," Free Jacks head coach Scott Mathie said during a news conference ahead of the game. "We've found that that's sharpened us really well."
- "Players have come to the Seawolves because of the history of winning games and getting into the finals and semifinals," Seattle head coach Allen Clarke said. We built a squad that's been tested this season beyond even my worst imagination, but we still got to the final."
State of play: Rugby is having a moment across the nation, said Seattle head coach Allen Clarke, who also congratulated the U.S. women's team for capturing the bronze at the Summer Olympics to reach the medal stand for the first time ever.
- "The game's growing, and I think we have a real opportunity to take it to new levels," Clarke said.
Context: San Diego is known as a rugby town, bolstered by the legacy of the Old Mission Bay Athletic Club's rugby team, which was formed in 1966 and won 12 amateur national championships in the 1970s-90s.
- U.S. Olympic teams have also trained in Chula Vista.
- That includes Ilona Maher, a breakout star from the bronze medal winners who lives in San Diego.
Editor's note: This story has been updated to include results of the championship game.