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It's first-timers versus old hands in the MLR Final in New Jersey

Waisake Naholo #14 of Rugby New York looks on from the locker room prior to the Major League Rugby match against the Seattle Seawolves at JFK Stadium on May 15, 2022 in Hoboken, New Jersey. (Photo by Dustin Satloff/Getty Images for Rugby New York)

Rugby New York will host Seattle Seawolves today in the final of Major League Rugby. It was announced this week that the MLR showpiece game would be held at the Red Bull Arena in New Jersey – the home of MLS side New York Red Bulls.

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It is the hosts’ first-ever Championship Game appearance whilst Seattle will be playing for their third MLR title. Having previously won in 2018 and 2019.

Rugby New York boast a side packed full of international talent with former All Blacks Andy Ellis, Waisake Naholo and Nehe Milner-Skudder set to start.

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Seattle came into the league knockouts as the bottom seed but following convincing Western Conference playoff wins over San Diego and Houston SaberCats they now roll into the final with plenty of momentum.

Rugby New York overcame Atlanta and arch-rivals New England on the road to take their place in the final – which is just the new league’s fourth ever showpiece, with the 2020 season having been scrapped.

“Being one of the only two members left from the inaugural day with New York, it has been a long time coming,” Rugby New York back row Dylan Fawsitt told the MLR website this week. “To represent the greatest city in the world, and do it in the big dance is really, really special.

MLR Red Bull Arena
The USA vs Ireland match at Red Bull Arena. Harrison, NJ in 2017 CREDIT: Jesse Reiter (Photo by Jesse Reiter /Sports Illustrated via Getty Images)
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“What has always stood through my time here is that we have always had quality men involved in this organization, especially on the field.”

“It is going to be such a spectacle for the game here in the States, especially in front of our family and friends at home.”

In the US, the game will be broadcast to a huge television audience on Fox – whilst fans around the world can tune in live and for free at therugbynetwork.com.

Kick-off is set for 5 pm BST.

You can watch highlights and replays of every game of the 2022 MLR season at The Rugby Network.

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1 Comment
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Barry 876 days ago

when and where is this being screened on SKY IN NZ PLEASE someone????

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JWH 34 minutes ago
France outwrestle All Blacks in titanic Test for one-point win

I agree re-Barrett, he would be an excellent 6. Vaai he called him the squads Terminator! No use in shutting out other specialist 6s though like Frizell and Finau.


I don't think the Saders want Darry tbh, already have so much locking talent in Strange, Cahill, Hannah, and Barrett, with Gallagher returning after a spell at the Canes.


As for your ideas on SRP, I was thinking more expansion into the islands. Why just a Fijian team? Why not a Samoan and Tongan team as well? I think adding Japan could be cool, since they are in roughly the same timezone so not much jet lag. Only issue is that their seasons are reversed! Same with USA.


I think the best option is to keep to ourselves, with AUS, NZ, SAM, FIJ, and TNG. 5 teams for Australia (Brumbies, Reds, Tahs, Force, Rebels), 5 for NZ (Saders, Canes, Blues, Chiefs, Landers), and 4 for the PIs (Moana Pasifika, Drua, Tongan team, Samoan team).


If we expand into the PIs, we cut off a source of talent and entertainment from the Northern competitions like Top 14, and open a whole new market of people. Increase advertisment in Japan as well, since their in the same timezone, and we could be on track for a very good competition.


Plus, we would get gamedays like in America, one game queued up after another. Makes it a whole lot easier if you can just flick on the telly and BOOM theres the games. No need to plan out when things are, just get your mates around, flick it on in the background and chill with a cold beverage.

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