New England Free Jacks Repeat as Rugby Champs

New England Free Jacks win Major League Rugby Championship Final in Chicago - Major League Rugby
New England was once known for the National Football League's Patriots as the dominant team but they have now been replaced by their rugby brothers as the Free Jacks have repeated as Major League Rugby (MLR) champions.

The New England Free Jacks flyhalf booted five penalty goals as the Free Jacks dominated the Seattle Seawolves, 20-11, to capture back-to-back Major League Rugby championships at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.  New England (12-5), which won seven of its final eight fixtures, is the first team to win consecutive MLR championships since Seattle (11-6) pulled it off in 2018-19.

Jayson Potroz, who was named championship final MVP last season in New England’s 25-24 win over the San Diego Legion, scored in the eighth, 27th, 40th, 44th, and 52nd minutes. The Free Jacks never trailed, riding an acrobatic 14th-minute try from Le Roux Malan to secure the shield in front of an MLR-record 12,085 fans.

Watch highlights of the championship game here:  https://youtu.be/lhSQFjESlZw?si=aC7ITqOHMW2wZa7v

2024 Final Standings:
Eastern Conference
1. New England Free Jacks
2. New Orleans Gold
3. Chicago Hounds
4. Old Glory DC
5. Miami Sharks
6. Anthem Rugby Carolina

Western Conference
1. Houston Sabercats
2. Seattle Seawolves
3. San Diego Legion
4. Dallas Jackals
5. Utah Warriors
6. RFC Los Angeles

Playoffs:
Conference Semifinals
Eastern Conference
New England 33, Old Glory 29
Chicago 45, New Orleans 21
Western Conference
Dallas 34, Houston 22
Seattle 30, San Diego 28

Conference Finals
Eastern Conference
New England 23, Chicago 17
Western Conference
Seattle 28, Dallas 25

Final
New England 20, Seattle 11

For more on Major League Rugby:  https://www.majorleague.rugby

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