The 2018 Major League Rugby season was the inaugural season of Major League Rugby, an annual rugby union competition sanctioned by USA Rugby.[1] The seven inaugural teams were based in the United States. The competition began the weekend of April 21–22 with three matches, with New Orleans defeating Houston 35–26 to open the season.
2018 Major League Rugby | |
---|---|
Date | April 21 – July 7 |
Champions | Seattle Seawolves (1st title) |
Runners-up | Glendale Raptors |
Matches played | 31 |
Top point scorer | Sam Windsor (103) |
Top try scorer | Tonata Lauti (9) |
Official website | |
www | |
Glendale and Seattle were the best two teams at the end of the regular season and won their respective semi-final matches to advance to the championship game at Torero Stadium in San Diego.[2] Seattle became Major League Rugby's first champion team with a surprise come-from-behind 23–19 win in the final over Glendale, who had only lost once previously during the season.[2]
Teams
editTeam | Head coach | Captain | Stadium | Capacity |
---|---|---|---|---|
Austin Elite | Alain Hyardet | Andrew Suniula | Multipurpose Complex | 3,500 |
Glendale Raptors | David Williams | Shaun Davies | Infinity Park | 5,000 |
Houston SaberCats | Justin Fitzpatrick | Kyle Sumsion | Dyer Stadium | 6,000 |
New Orleans Gold | Nate Osborne | Taylor Howden | Eagle Athletic Facility | 3,000 |
San Diego Legion | Rob Hoadley | Nate Augspurger | Torero Stadium | 6,000 |
Seattle Seawolves | Phil Mack | Shalom Suniula | Starfire Stadium | 3,800 |
Utah Warriors | Alf Daniels | Paul Lasike | Zions Bank Stadium | 5,000 |
Regular season
editAll seven participating teams played eight matches and received two rounds of byes during the regular season held over ten weeks from April through to June.[3] The schedule was short of a full home and away draw by four match rounds, so each side played two of the other teams twice and four of them only once. The top four teams at the end of the regular season advanced to the MLR playoffs.[4][5]
Standings
editThe final standings for the 2018 Major League Rugby regular season were:
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Glendale Raptors (P) | 8 | 7 | 0 | 1 | 249 | 165 | +84 | 6 | 0 | 34 | Semifinals |
2 | Seattle Seawolves (C) | 8 | 6 | 0 | 2 | 232 | 188 | +44 | 4 | 1 | 29 | |
3 | San Diego Legion | 8 | 5 | 0 | 3 | 214 | 201 | +13 | 3 | 1 | 24 | |
4 | Utah Warriors | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 269 | 274 | −5 | 7 | 3 | 22 | |
5 | Austin Elite | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 224 | 238 | −14 | 5 | 1 | 18 | |
6 | New Orleans Gold | 8 | 3 | 0 | 5 | 209 | 291 | −82 | 4 | 1 | 17 | |
7 | Houston SaberCats | 8 | 1 | 0 | 7 | 216 | 256 | −40 | 3 | 4 | 11 |
Rules for classification: Four points for a win, two for a draw, and no points for a bye. One bonus point for scoring four or more tries (TB). One bonus point for losing by seven or less (LB).
Matches
editThe following matches were played for the 2018 Major League Rugby regular season:
Week 1
editApril 21 | Houston SaberCats | 26–35 | New Orleans Gold | Dyer Stadium, Houston, Texas | ||
3:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Osea Kolinisau 18' m Josua Vici (2) 25' c, 78' c Justin Allen 66' c Con: Windsor (3/4) 26', 67', 79' |
Report | Try: Sebastián Kalm 33' c Nikola Bursic 44' m Matt Hughston 58' c JP Eloff 73' c Con: JP Eloff (3/4) 34', 59', 74' Pen: JP Eloff (3/5) 21', 47', 80' |
Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (France) |
April 21 | Glendale Raptors | 41–26 | Austin Elite | Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado | ||
5:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Connor Cook 33' c John Quill 37' c Ben Landry 40' c Maximo de Achaval 44' c Harley Davidson 47' c Con: Will Magie (5/5) 34', 38', 40', 45', 48' Pen: Will Magie (2/3) 21', 80' |
Report | Try: Reece Czarnecki (2) 14' c, 75' m Hanco Germishuys 52' c Ben Mitchell 59' c Con: Timothée Guillimin (3/4) 15', 53', 60' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (0/1) |
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada) |
April 22 | Seattle Seawolves | 39–23 | San Diego Legion | Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington | ||
8:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Brock Staller 21' c Penalty try (3) 36', 58', 68' Cam Polson 75' m Con: Brock Staller (1/2) 22' Pen: Brock Staller (2/3) 10', 32' |
Report | Try: Chris Turori 64' c Drew Gaffney 72' c Con: Ben Cima (2/2) 65', 73' Pen: Ben Cima (3/4) 5', 27', 43' |
Attendance: 3,500[6] Referee: Derek Summers (United States) |
Bye/s: Utah Warriors |
Week 2
editApril 28 | Houston SaberCats | 50–38 | Austin Elite | Dyer Stadium, Houston, Texas | ||
3:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Connor Murphy 1' c Osea Kolinisau 10' c Lindsey Stevens 42' c Josua Vici 45' c Justin Allen 48' m Sam Windsor 61' c Joey Iosefa 67' c Con: Sam Windsor (6/7) 2', 11', 43', 46', 62', 68' Pen: Sam Windsor (1/1) 22' |
Report | Try: Sione Fangaiuiha (2) 26' m, 55' c Hanco Germishuys 38' m Andrew Suniula 57' c Alex Faison-Donahoe 71' c Knute O'Donnell 80' c Con: Timothée Guillimin (4/6) 56', 58', 72', 80' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (0/1) |
Referee: Derek Summers (United States) |
April 28 | Seattle Seawolves | 15–19 | Glendale Raptors | Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington | ||
10:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Vili Tolutaʻu 58' c George Barton 80' m Con: Brock Staller (1/2) 59' Pen: Brock Staller (1/1) 39' |
Report | Try: Zach Fenoglio 36' m Harley Davidson 48' m Con: Will Magie (0/2) Pen: Will Magie (3/4) 9', 24', 71' |
Referee: Scott Green (United States) |
April 29 | San Diego Legion | 31–24 | Utah Warriors | Torero Stadium, San Diego, California | ||
7:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Sione Tuihalamaka 1' c Anthony Purpura 10' m Devin Short 40' m Anthony Salaber 56' c Ryan Matyas 69' c Con: Tadhg Leader (2/4) 2', 57' Dylan Audsley (1/1) 70' Pen: Tadhg Leader (0/1) |
Report | Try: Joseph Nicholls 28' c Saia Uhila 38' c Ben Nicholls 77' c Con: Kurt Morath (3/3) 29', 39', 78' Pen: Kurt Morath (1/2) 65' |
Attendance: 2,000[7] Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (France) |
Bye/s: New Orleans Gold |
Week 3
editMay 3 | Austin Elite | 30–17 | New Orleans Gold | Multipurpose Complex, Round Rock, Texas | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Ned Hodson (2) 16' m, 68' c Hanco Germishuys (2) 43' m, 65' c Con: Timothée Guillimin (2/4) 66', 69' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (2/4) 2', 5' |
Report | Try: John Sullivan (2) 29' c, 52' c Con: JP Eloff (2/2) 40', 53' Pen: JP Eloff (1/1) 28' |
Referee: Scott Green (United States) |
May 4 | San Diego Legion | 35–32 | Houston SaberCats | Torero Stadium, San Diego, California | ||
8:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Anthony Salaber (3) 17' c, 22' c, 34' c Pat Blair 51' c Anthony Purpura 80' c Con: Dylan Audsley (4/4) 18', 23', 35', 52' Ben Cima (1/1) 80' |
Report | Try: Osea Kolinisau 9' c Sam Windsor 31' c Con: Sam Windsor (2/2) 10', 32' Pen: Sam Windsor (5/6) 11', 25', 44', 54', 67' Drop: Osea Kolinisau 75' |
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada) |
May 5 | Utah Warriors | 29–36 | Glendale Raptors | Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah, Utah | ||
3:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Angus MacLellan 30' c Fetuʻu Vainikolo 46' c Tonata Lauti (2) 68' m, 70' c Con: Kurt Morath (3/4) 31', 47', 71' Pen: Kurt Morath (1/2) 27' |
Report | Try: Sam Figg 23' c Harley Davidson 52' c Peter Dahl 65' c Bryce Campbell 72' c Mika Kruse 75' m Con: Will Magie (4/5) 24', 53', 66', 73' Pen: Will Magie (1/1) 19' |
Referee: Derek Summers (United States) |
Bye/s: Seattle Seawolves |
Week 4
editMay 11 | Utah Warriors | 41–22 | Austin Elite | Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Jared Whippy 19' c Paul Lasike 24' m Josh Anderson 39' c Fetuʻu Vainikolo 60' m Maika Hafoka 74' c Joseph Nicholls 77' c Con: Kurt Morath (4/6) 20', 40', 75', 78' Pen: Kurt Morath (1/1) 13' |
Report | Try: Marcus Walsh (2) 30' c, 71' c Hanco Germishuys 46' m Con: Timothée Guillimin (2/3) 31', 72' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (1/1) 64' |
Referee: Scott Green (United States) |
May 12 | New Orleans Gold | 29–31 | Seattle Seawolves | Eagle Athletic Facility, Marrero, Louisiana | ||
1:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Peceli Rinakama 13' m Joeli Tikoisuva 28' c Hubert Buydens 30' m Taylor Howden 63' c Matt Hughston 74' c Con: Taylor Howden (2/3) 29', 63' Michael Baska (1/2) 74' Pen: Taylor Howden (0/1) |
Report | Try: Will Holder 31' c William Rasileka 44' c Peter Tiberio 57' c Mathew Turner 68' c Con: Peter Smith (4/4) 32', 45', 57', 69' Pen: Peter Smith (1/1) 25' |
Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (France) |
May 13 | Glendale Raptors | 31–27 | San Diego Legion | Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado | ||
8:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Maximo de Achaval 18' c Kelepi Fifita 49' c Seth Halliman 61' c Zach Fenoglio 76' c Con: Will Magie (4/4) 19', 50', 62', 77' Pen: Will Magie (1/1) 11' |
Report | Try: Sione Tuihalamaka 14' c Pat Blair 39' c Dolph Botha 46' c Con: Dylan Audsley (3/3) 15', 40', 47' Pen: Dylan Audsley (2/3) 66', 73' |
Referee: Adam Leal (England) |
Bye/s: Houston SaberCats |
Week 5
editMay 19 | New Orleans Gold | 24–20 | Houston SaberCats | Eagle Athletic Facility, Marrero, Louisiana | ||
4:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Zack Stryffeler 27' c Penalty try 34' Peceli Rinakama 38' c Con: Taylor Howden (3/3) 28', 35', 39' Pen: Taylor Howden (1/2) 73' |
Report | Try: Sam Windsor 4' c Connor Murphy 40' c Con: Sam Windsor (2/2) 5', 40' Pen: Sam Windsor (2/2) 32', 76' |
Referee: Adam Leal (England) |
May 20 | Seattle Seawolves | 41–32 | Utah Warriors | Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington | ||
8:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: William Rasileka 11' c Mathew Turner 13' c Vili Tolutaʻu (2) 31' c, 62' c Phil Mack 58' c Con: Peter Smith (3/3) 12', 14', 32' Brock Staller (2/2) 59', 63' Pen: Peter Smith (1/1) 30' Brock Staller (1/1) 39' |
Report | Try: Lote Tuipulotu (2) 2' m, 18' m Tonata Lauti 36' c Ara Elkington 66' m Paki Afu 78' c Con: Kurt Morath (2/5) 37', 79' Pen: Kurt Morath (1/1) 9' |
Referee: Luke Rogan (Australia) |
Bye/s: Austin Elite, Glendale Raptors. San Diego Legion |
Week 6
editMay 25 | Austin Elite | 31–5 | San Diego Legion | Multipurpose Complex, Round Rock, Texas | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Siaosi Finau 14' c Hanco Germishuys 19' c Zinzan Elan-Puttick 45' c Marcus Walsh 70' c Con: Timothée Guillimin (4/4) 15', 20', 46', 71' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (1/2) 8' |
Report | Try: Drew Gaffney 61' m Con: Dylan Audsley (0/1) |
Referee: Josh Houston (United States) |
May 26 | Houston SaberCats | 30–36 | Utah Warriors | Dyer Stadium, Houston, Texas | ||
6:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Osea Kolinisau 5' c Josua Vici 18' c Connor Murphy 62' c Con: Sam Windsor (3/3) 6', 19', 63' Pen: Sam Windsor (3/3) 2', 22', 46' |
Report | Try: Matt Jensen 9' c Lance Williams 13' c Don Pati 43' c Tonata Lauti 48' m Lote Tuipulotu 69' c Con: Kurt Morath (4/5) 10', 14', 44', 70' Pen: Kurt Morath (1/1) 37' |
Referee: Scott Green (United States) |
May 27 | Seattle Seawolves | 55–26 | New Orleans Gold | Starfire Sports Complex, Tukwila, Washington | ||
8:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Brock Staller (2) 5' c, 21' c Eric Duechle 10' c Mathew Turner (2) 21' c, 78' c Aladdin Schirmer 54' c Dan Trierweiler 68' c Con: Brock Staller (6/6) 6', 11', 22', 69', 79' Will Holder (1/1) 55' |
Report | Try: Ben Tarr 16' c Penalty try 37' Moni Tonga’uiha 39' c Michael Baska 43' m Con: Taylor Howden (2/3) 17', 40' Pen: Taylor Howden (0/1) |
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada) |
Bye/s: Glendale Raptors |
Week 7
editJune 1 | Austin Elite | 41–33 | Utah Warriors | Multipurpose Complex, Round Rock, Texas | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Alex Faison-Donahoe 5' m Zinzan Elan-Puttick (2) 17' m, 41' c Pedrie Wannenburg 34' c Marcus Walsh 43' m Con: Timothée Guillimin (2/5) 35', 42' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (4/5) 11', 67', 70', 75' |
Report | Try: Tonata Lauti 12' m AJ Tu'ineau 29' c David Tameilau 64' c Ray Forrester 71' c Iniki Fa'amausili 76' c Con: Johnny Linehan (2/3) 30', 65' Ben Nicholls (2/2) 72', 76' Pen: Johnny Linehan (0/1) |
Referee: Adam Leal (England) |
June 2 | Houston SaberCats | 7–20 | Seattle Seawolves | Dyer Stadium, Houston, Texas | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Charlie Hewitt 62' c Con: Sam Windsor (1/1) 63' |
Report | Try: Peter Tiberio 44' c Phil Mack 52' c Con: Brock Staller (2/2) 45', 53' Pen: Brock Staller (2/4) 26', 40' |
Referee: Derek Summers (United States) |
June 3 | New Orleans Gold | 10–47 | Glendale Raptors | Eagle Athletic Facility, Marrero, Louisiana | ||
4:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Joey Sok 27' m Cameron Troxler 67' m Con: JP Eloff (0/1) Taylor Howden (0/1) |
Report | Try: Bryce Campbell (2) 4' c, 80' c Mika Kruse 11' c John Quill 19' m Will Magie 47' c Zach Fenoglio 61' c Sam Figg 77' c Con: Will Magie (6/7) 5', 12', 48', 62', 78', 80' |
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada) |
Bye/s: San Diego Legion |
Week 8
editJune 8 | Austin Elite | 19–20 | Seattle Seawolves | Multipurpose Complex, Round Rock, Texas | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Ross Deacon 18' c Con: Timothée Guillimin (1/1) 19' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (4/4) 5', 11', 69' |
Report | Try: William Rasileka 21' m Sequoyah Burke-Combs 46' m Taylor Krumrei 62' c Con: Will Holder (1/3) 63' Pen: Will Holder (1/2) 36' |
Referee: Scott Green (United States) |
June 8 | Glendale Raptors | 37–24 | Houston SaberCats | Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Harley Davidson (3) 6' c, 11' m, 46' c Dylan Fawsitt 25' m Maximo de Achaval 58' c Con: Maximo de Achaval (3/5) 7', 47', 59' Pen: Maximo de Achaval (1/2) 71' |
Report | Try: Josua Vici 38' c Matt Trouville 55' m Alex Elkins 65' c, 73' m Con: Sam Windsor (2/4) 39', 66' Pen: Sam Windsor (0/1) |
Referee: Chris Assmus (Canada) |
June 9 | New Orleans Gold | 22–39 | San Diego Legion | Eagle Athletic Facility, Marrero, Louisiana | ||
5:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Tim Maupin 5' c Cameron Troxler 49' c JP Eloff 61' m Con: JP Eloff (2/3) 6', 50' Pen: JP Eloff (1/1) 33' |
Report | Try: Pat Blair 9' m Ryan Matyas 23' c Anthony Salaber 40' c Nick Evans 42' m Taku Ngwenya 54' c Nathan Sylvia 67' m Con: Tadhg Leader (3/6) 24', 40', 55' Pen: Tadhg Leader (1/1) 21' |
Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (United States) |
Bye/s: Utah Warriors |
Week 9
editJune 16 | Utah Warriors | 43–46 | New Orleans Gold | Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah | ||
4:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Don Pati (2) 5' m, 8' c Tonata Lauti 36' c Jonny Linehan 40' c Josh Anderson 57' m Fetuʻu Vainikolo 65' c Ray Forrester 78' m Con: Jonny Linehan (4/7) 9', 37', 40', 66' |
Report | Try: Matt Hughston 18' m Tim Maupin 30' c Jojo Tikoisuva 42' c JP Eloff 44' c Cameron Troxler 50' m Con: JP Eloff (3/5) 31', 43', 45' Pen: JP Eloff (4/4) 26', 39', 56', 62' |
Referee: Derek Summers (United States) |
June 16 | Glendale Raptors | 33–11 | Seattle Seawolves | Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado, Colorado | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Chad London (2) 35' c, 49' c Zach Fenoglio 39' c Mika Kruse 44' m Connor Cook 52' c Con: Maximo de Achaval (4/5) 36', 40', 50', 53' |
Report | Try: Mozac Samson 10' m Con: Will Holder (0/1) Pen: Will Holder (1/1) 16' Drop: Will Holder (1/1) 30' |
Referee: Adam Leal (England) |
June 17 | San Diego Legion | 31–17 | Austin Elite | Torero Stadium, San Diego, California | ||
8:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Nick Boyer 15' c Nathan Sylvia 39' m Ryan Matyas 77' m Con: Tadhg Leader (2/3) 16', 78' Pen: Tadhg Leader (4/4) 4', 24', 46', 55 |
Report | Try: Junior Naruma 48' c Sani Taylor 71' c Con: Timothée Guillimin (2/2) 49', 72' Pen: Timothée Guillimin (1/1) 10' |
Attendance: 3,000 [8] Referee: Paul-Henri Courbier (United States) |
Bye/s: Houston SaberCats |
Week 10
editJune 23 | Utah Warriors | 31–27 | Houston SaberCats | Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman, Utah | ||
4:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Tonata Lauti (2) 10' c, 72' m Saia Uhila 31' m Ara Elkington 49' c Alex Tucci 68' c Con: Jonny Linehan (2/3) 11', 50' Ben Nicholls (1/2) 69' |
Report | Try: Cecil Garber 16' c Sam Windsor 40' c Osea Kolinisau 64' c Con: Sam Windsor (3/3) 17', 40', 65' Pen: Sam Windsor (2/4) 25', 60' |
Referee: Adam Leal (England) |
June 23 | San Diego Legion | 23–5 | Glendale Raptors | Torero Stadium, San Diego, California | ||
10:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Ryan Matyas 48’ c Tony Lamborn 58’ c Con: Tadhg Leader (2/2) 49’, 59’ Pen: Tadhg Leader (3/4) 3’, 20’, 72’ |
Report | Try: Grigor Kerdikoshvili 78’ m Con: Maximo de Achaval (0/1) |
Referee: Scott Green (United States) |
Bye/s: Austin Elite, New Orleans Gold, Seattle Seawolves |
Playoffs
editThe top four teams from the regular season qualified for the playoffs. The format was two semifinal matches – first versus fourth, and second versus third – followed by a Championship game between the semifinal winners to determine the MLR champion team.[4][5]
The semifinals were played as a double header at Infinity Park in Glendale on June 30, followed a week later by the final at Torero Stadium in San Diego on July 7.[9]
Bracket
editSemi-Finals | Finals | ||||||||
1 | Glendale Raptors | 34 | |||||||
4 | Utah Warriors | 21 | |||||||
1 | Glendale Raptors | 19 | |||||||
2 | Seattle Seawolves | 23 | |||||||
2 | Seattle Seawolves | 38 | |||||||
3 | San Diego Legion | 24 |
Semifinals
editJune 30 | Seattle Seawolves | 38–24 | San Diego Legion | Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado | ||
7:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Shalom Suniula 33' c William Rasileka 63' c, Peter Tiberio 65' c Sequoyah Burke-Combs 73' c John Hayden 78' c Con: Peter Smith (5/5) 34', 63', 66', 74', 79' Pen: Peter Smith (1/1) 6' |
Report | Try: Joe Pietersen 9' c Drew Gaffney 56' c Nate Augspurger 80' c Con: Joe Pietersen (3/3) 10', 57', 80' Pen: Joe Pietersen (1/1) 3' Cards: Alec Barton 61' YC Siaosi Mahoni 67' YC |
Attendance: 3,287 Referee: Derek Summers (United States) |
June 30 | Glendale Raptors | 34–21 | Utah Warriors | Infinity Park, Glendale, Colorado | ||
9:30 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Sam Figg 2' c Harley Davidson 28' c, Shaun Davies 31' m Zach Fenoglio 52' c, Luke White 64' m Con: Will Magie (3/5) 3', 29', 53' Pen: Will Magie (1/1) 13' |
Report | Try: Tonata Lauti 35' c David Tameilau 68' c Don Pati 73' c Con: Kurt Morath (1/1) 36' Joseph Nicholls (2/2) 69', 73' |
Attendance: 3,407 Referee: Adam Leal (England) |
Final
editJuly 7 | Glendale Raptors | 19–23 | Seattle Seawolves | Torero Stadium, San Diego, California | ||
9:00 pm EDT (UTC−04) | Try: Zach Fenoglio (2) 13' c, 50' m Bryce Campbell 56' c Con: Will Magie (2/3) 13', 57' |
Report | Try: Ray Barkwill 23' m William Rasileka 58' m, Riekert Hattingh 61' c Con: Peter Smith (1/3) 62' Pen: Peter Smith (2/3) 9', 67' |
Attendance: 2,901 Referee: Scott Green [10] (United States) |
Team statistics
editPoints by week
editWeek Team
|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Total | Average | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austin | 26 | 41 | 38 | 50 | 30 | 17 | 22 | 41 | – | – | 31 | 5 | 41 | 33 | 19 | 20 | 17 | 31 | – | – | 224 | 238 | 28.0 | 29.8 |
Glendale | 41 | 26 | 19 | 15 | 36 | 29 | 31 | 27 | – | – | – | – | 47 | 10 | 37 | 24 | 33 | 11 | 5 | 23 | 249 | 165 | 31.1 | 20.6 |
Houston | 26 | 35 | 50 | 38 | 32 | 35 | – | – | 20 | 24 | 30 | 36 | 7 | 20 | 24 | 37 | – | – | 27 | 31 | 216 | 256 | 27.0 | 32.0 |
New Orleans | 35 | 26 | – | – | 17 | 30 | 29 | 31 | 24 | 20 | 26 | 55 | 10 | 47 | 22 | 39 | 46 | 43 | – | – | 209 | 291 | 26.1 | 36.4 |
San Diego | 23 | 39 | 31 | 24 | 35 | 32 | 27 | 31 | – | – | 5 | 31 | – | – | 39 | 22 | 31 | 17 | 23 | 5 | 214 | 201 | 26.8 | 25.1 |
Seattle | 39 | 23 | 15 | 19 | – | – | 31 | 29 | 41 | 32 | 55 | 26 | 20 | 7 | 20 | 19 | 11 | 33 | – | – | 232 | 188 | 29.0 | 23.5 |
Utah | – | – | 24 | 31 | 29 | 36 | 41 | 22 | 32 | 41 | 36 | 30 | 33 | 41 | – | – | 43 | 46 | 31 | 27 | 269 | 274 | 33.6 | 34.3 |
Tries by week
editWeek Team
|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | Total | Average | ||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Austin | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 3 | 6 | – | – | 4 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 3 | 2 | 3 | – | – | 29 | 32 | 3.6 | 4.0 |
Glendale | 5 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | – | – | – | – | 7 | 2 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 34 | 22 | 4.3 | 2.8 |
Houston | 4 | 4 | 7 | 6 | 2 | 5 | – | – | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | – | – | 3 | 5 | 26 | 35 | 3.3 | 4.4 |
New Orleans | 4 | 4 | – | – | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 7 | – | – | 28 | 41 | 3.5 | 5.1 |
San Diego | 2 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 4 | – | – | 1 | 4 | – | – | 6 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 27 | 24 | 3.4 | 3.0 |
Seattle | 5 | 2 | 2 | 2 | – | – | 4 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 | – | – | 29 | 25 | 3.6 | 3.1 |
Utah | – | – | 3 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 5 | 5 | – | – | 7 | 5 | 5 | 3 | 40 | 34 | 5.0 | 4.3 |
Attack | Defense |
Player statistics
editThe leading scorers in 2018 over the regular season and playoffs combined were:
Leading try scorers
editNo. | Player | Team | Tries excl. playoffs |
Total tries |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Tonata Lauti | Utah Warriors | 8 | 9 |
2 | Harley Davidson | Glendale Raptors | 6 | 7 |
Zach Fenoglio | Glendale Raptors | 4 | 7 [a] | |
4 | Hanco Germishuys | Austin Elite | 6 | 6 |
5 | Osea Kolinisau | Houston SaberCats | 5 | 5 |
William Rasileka | Seattle Seawolves | 3 | 5 | |
Anthony Salaber | San Diego Legion | 5 | 5 | |
Josua Vici | Houston SaberCats | 5 | 5 | |
9 | Lote Tuipulotu | Utah Warriors | 4 | 4 |
Mathew Turner | Seattle Seawolves | 4 | 4 | |
Sam Windsor | Houston SaberCats | 4 | 4 | |
Marcus Walsh | Austin Elite | 4 | 4 |
Sources:[12][13]Americas Rugby News and MLR (archived).
Leading point scorers
editNo. | Player | Team | Points excl. playoffs |
Total points |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Sam Windsor | Houston SaberCats | 103 | 103 |
2 | Timothée Guillimin | Austin Elite | 84 | 84 |
3 | Will Magie | Glendale Raptors | 64 | 77 |
4 | JP Eloff | New Orleans Gold | 65 | 65 |
5 | Brock Staller | Seattle Seawolves | 60 | 60 |
6 | Kurt Morath | Utah Warriors | 47 | 49 |
7 | Tonata Lauti | Utah Warriors | 40 | 45 |
8 | Tadhg Leader | San Diego Legion | 42 | 42 |
9 | Peter Smith | Seattle Seawolves | 20 | 41 |
10 | Maximo de Achaval | Glendale Raptors | 35 | 35 |
Sources:[12][13] Americas Rugby News and MLR (archived).
Sanctions
editAwards
editMVP of the Championship Match
Player | Team |
---|---|
Vili Toluta'u | Seattle Seawolves |
All-MLR First Team
Player | Position | Team |
---|---|---|
Paul Mullen | Loosehead Prop | Houston SaberCats |
Zach Fenoglio | Hooker | Glendale Raptors |
Tim Metcher | Tighthead Prop | Seattle Seawolves |
Ben Mitchell | Left Lock | Austin Elite |
Ben Landry | Right Lock | Glendale Raptors |
Vili Toluta'u | Blindside Flanker | Seattle Seawolves |
Hanco Germishuys | Openside Flanker | Austin Elite |
Cam Dolan | No8 | San Diego Legion |
Phil Mack | Scrum-half | Seattle Seawolves |
Sam Windsor | Fly-half | Houston SaberCats |
Tonata Lauti | Blindside Wing | Utah Warriors |
Paul Lasike | Inside Centre | Utah Warriors |
Ryan Matyas | Outside Centre | San Diego Legion |
Harley Davidson | Openside Wing | Glendale Raptors |
Mathew Turner | Fullback | Seattle Seawolves |
All-MLR Second Team
Player | Position | Team |
---|---|---|
Olive Kilifi | Loosehead Prop | Seattle Seawolves |
Pat Blair | Hooker | San Diego Legion |
Alex Tucci | Tighthead Prop | Utah Warriors |
Matt Jensen | Left Lock | Utah Warriors |
Matt Trouville | Right Lock | Houston SaberCats |
Peter Dahl | Blindside Flanker | Glendale Raptors |
Matt Hughston | Openside Flanker | NOLA Gold |
Sam Figg | No8 | Glendale Raptors |
Shaun Davies | Scrum-half | Glendale Raptors |
Will Magie | Fly-half | Glendale Raptors |
Josua Vici | Blindside Wing | Houston SaberCats |
Andrew Suniula | Inside Centre | Austin Elite |
Osea Kolinisau | Outside Centre | Houston SaberCats |
Brock Staller | Openside Wing | Seattle Seawolves |
Zinzan Elan-Puttick | Fullback | Austin Elite |
Notes
editReferences
edit- ^ "Major League Rugby nears kick-off as next attempt to make US a union power". The Guardian. UK. November 17, 2017. Archived from the original on November 19, 2017. Retrieved November 19, 2017.
- ^ a b "Major League Rugby crowns Seattle champions – and looks to season two". The Guardian. UK. July 10, 2018. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ a b "Major League Rugby schedule revealed". Rugby Today. December 1, 2017. Archived from the original on December 9, 2017. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
- ^ a b "CBS Sports Network Partners with MLR". Major League Rugby (Press release). November 6, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
- ^ a b "Austin Elite, new U.S. pro rugby league lure major TV contract". Austin American-Statesman. November 7, 2017. Archived from the original on November 9, 2017. Retrieved November 9, 2017.
- ^ "Seattle Seawolves' Home Debut - "Something Special"".
- ^ "San Diego Legion deliver a victory in Major League Rugby home debut". April 30, 2018.
- ^ "SD Legion". Archived from the original on June 21, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ^ "MLR reveals Finals Locations and Expansion Plans". Americas Rugby News. March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
- ^ a b "Seawolves stun Raptors to win inaugural MLR title". Americas Rugby News. July 8, 2018. Archived from the original on July 10, 2018. Retrieved July 10, 2018.
- ^ "Big Second Half Propels Seawolves Over Raptors in Inaugural MLR Championship". usmlr.com. July 8, 2018. Archived from the original on July 8, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b c "Player stats (incl. playoffs)". Major League Rugby. 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018.
- ^ a b "Player stats (excl. playoffs)". Americas Rugby News. 2018. Archived from the original on July 17, 2018.