North American Rugby Database

Report

Rugby New York host the Seattle Seawolves for the 2022 MLR Championship Final at Red Bull Arena.

The 25,000 seater stadium is home to the New York Red Bulls of the MLS, and because this was arranged on such short notice, there was a very low turnout of just under 2,000.

The visiting Seawolves got off to a dream start, scoring the first try in under 5 minutes after their forwards made ground, finished by Martin Iosefo who found a gap. AJ Alatimu was unable to convert and so Seattle led 5-0 early. A NY box kick was mishandled shortly after to give possession back to the hosts, and Will Tucker rumbled through tacklers to score. Jason Emery added the 2 to give the hosts a 7-5 lead not even 10 minutes in. Alatimu made up for his earlier miss by slotting a penalty to give the lead back to Seattle and Jason Emery was given an opportunity to slot a penalty of his own for NY, but was unable to do so. Shortly after, a strong New York kick chase bundled the receiver into touch to provide the home side with an attacking platform, and while their drive was stopped, referee Federico Anselmi deemed it was done so illegally and awarded a penalty try as well as handing Rhyno Herbst a yellow card. This was a first Penalty Try in a MLR Championship Final. New York would score again around 10 minutes later after creating a four-on-one overlap that was an easy finish for Andy Ellis. The conversion was missed and that would be the final score of the half, New York now leading 19-8.

The first points of the 2nd half also went to the hosts, with Emery slotting a penalty to keep the scoreboard ticking over, before the half the New York pack delivered a delightful score full of offloads, chip throughs, and dummies that was finished by Nic Mayhew. Seattle struck back through Sam Matenga, who barrelled his way through the New York line to score. Alatimu’s conversion brought the score to 27-15 to the hosts. The Seawolves kept asking questions, with a Reid Watkins chip through forcing Will Tucker into a cynical foul resulting in a yellow card, before Will’s brother Brad almost added another for Seattle, but it was called back. A Sam Windsor drop goal in the 73rd minute put New York over 2 scores in front, and put the game to bed. Seattle had the ball with the clock in the red but Andy Ellis disrupted the play and forced the knock on. It would be the last act of World Cup Champion and former All Black Ellis’ professional playing career, as the Man of the Match announced his retirement in the post game press conference.

The Seattle Seawolves fall at the final hurdle, their first ever Championship Series loss coming in their 3rd MLR final in 5 years. The Shield goes to Rugby New York, and marks the first time that an Eastern Conference team has lifted it.