2018 Major League Rugby final
Event2018 Major League Rugby season
Glendale Raptors Seattle Seawolves
Colorado Washington (state)
19 23
DateJuly 7, 2018
VenueTorero Stadium, San Diego, California
Man of the MatchVili Tolutaʻu
RefereeScott Green (United States)
Attendance2,901

The 2018 Major League Rugby final was the championship match of the inaugural season of Major League Rugby (MLR), a rugby union club competition in the United States. It was played on July 7, 2018, at Torero Stadium in San Diego, California, between the Glendale Raptors and the Seattle Seawolves. Seattle won the match 23–19 to take their first title.

The Glendale and Seattle teams finished first and second in the regular season, respectively, and advanced to the MLR Championship Series, contesting the semifinals against San Diego and Utah.

Background

Major League Rugby was established in 2017 and began play in April 2018.

Seattle and Glendale played each other twice during the regular season, with Glendale winning both matches.[1]

Venue

Torero Stadium, home field of Major League Rugby team San Diego Legion, was selected as the venue for the final before the beginning of the Championship Series playoffs.[2] The stadium with a seating capacity of 6,000 on the campus of the University of San Diego is also home to the various athletics teams of the university.[2]

Broadcasting

The match was broadcast on CBS Sports Network.[3] Dan Power served as the play by play commentator for CBS and was joined by color analysts Brian Hightower and Peter Steinberg.[3]

Match

Details

July 7 Glendale Raptors 19–23 Seattle Seawolves Torero Stadium, San Diego, California  
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) Try: Fenoglio (2) 13' c, 50' m
Campbell 56' c
Con: Magie (2/3) 13', 57'		 Report Try: Barkwill 23' m
Rasileka 58' m, Hattingh 61' c
Con: Smith (1/3) 62'
Pen: Smith (2/3) 9', 67'		 Attendance: 2,901
Referee: Scott Green [4] (United States)
Team details
FB15United States Maximo de Achaval
RW14United States Harley Davidson
OC13United States Chad Londondownward-facing red arrow 46'
IC12United States Bryce Campbell
LW11United States Mika Kruse
FH10United States Will Magie
SH9United States Shaun Davies (c)
N88Australia Sam Figg
OF7United States John Quill
BF6United States Peter Dahldownward-facing red arrow 57'
RL5United States Ben Landrydownward-facing red arrow 57'
LL4United States Kody O'Neildownward-facing red arrow 62'
TP3United States Kelepi Fifita
HK2United States Zach Fenoglio
LP1United States Blake Rogersdownward-facing red arrow 68'
Replacements:
PR16Australia Luke Whiteupward-facing green arrow 68'
PR17United States Nick Kwasniewski
HK18United States Dylan Fawsittupward-facing green arrow 57'
LK19United States Connor Cookupward-facing green arrow 62'
FL20Georgia (country) Grigor Kerdikoshviliupward-facing green arrow 57'
SH21New Zealand Mickey Bateman
CE22United States Ata Malifaupward-facing green arrow 46'
OB23United States Nick Johnson
Coach:
United States David Williams
FB15England Mathew Turner
RW14United States Sequoyah Burke-Combs
OC13Fiji William Rasileka
IC12United States Shalom Suniula (c)
LW11United States Peter Tiberio
FH10Australia Peter Smith
SH9Canada Phil Mack
N88South Africa Riekert Hattingh
OF7United States Vili Tolutaʻudownward-facing red arrow 76'
BF6United States Eric Duechle
RL5Canada Cam Polson
LL4United States Taylor Krumreidownward-facing red arrow 57'
TP3Australia Tim Metcherdownward-facing red arrow 59'
HK2Canada Ray Barkwilldownward-facing red arrow 62'
LP1United States Olive Kilifidownward-facing red arrow 57'
Replacements:
HK16United States Mike Shepherdupward-facing green arrow 62'
PR17United States John Haydenupward-facing green arrow 59'
PR18United States Kellen Gordonupward-facing green arrow 57'
LK19United States Cole van Harnupward-facing green arrow 76'
LF20United States Aladdin Schirmerupward-facing green arrow 57'
FL21South Korea Andre Coquillard
OB22United States Jeremy Misailegalu
OB23Canada Mozac Samson
Coach:
Canada Phil Mack

Most Valuable Player:
Vili Tolutaʻu (Seattle)

Assistant Referees:
Adam Leal (England)
Derek Summers (United States)
Television Match Official:
Marc Nelson (United States)

Highlights

The champion Seattle Seawolves was awarded the "America's Championship Shield", an oversized 80-pound (36 kg) metal shield of the MLR logo, which they hoisted. Seawolves flanker Vili Tolutaʻu was named the MLR Championship Series "MVP", equivalent to man of the match.[5] For his efforts, he received a Shinola Detroit American Made watch.

References

  1. ↑ "Seattle Seawolves use big second half to beat San Diego 38-24 for shot at Major League Rugby title". The Seattle Times. June 30, 2018. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Leonard, Tod (July 6, 2018). "In San Diego for title match, Major League Rugby reflects on inaugural season, future". San Diego Union-Tribune. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  3. 1 2 Benjamin, Cody (July 6, 2018). "Major League Rugby Championship: How to watch Seattle Seawolves vs. Glendale Raptors". CBS Sports. Retrieved July 6, 2018.
  4. ↑ "Seawolves stun Raptors to win inaugural MLR title". Americas Rugby News. 2018-07-08. Archived from the original on 2018-07-10. Retrieved 2018-07-10.
  5. ↑ Strickler, Colton (July 8, 2018). "Big Second Half Propels Seawolves Over Raptors in Inaugural MLR Championship". Major League Rugby. Retrieved October 4, 2018.
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