Major League Rugby: Five takeaways as ex-All Black leaves struggling World Rugby-funded club while Free Jacks ‘strengthen their grip’

Another week down in Major League Rugby (MLR) has seen some movement in the Eastern and Western Conferences.

With just four weeks left of the regular season, the New England Free Jacks look to maintain top spot in the Eastern Conference and the Miami Sharks are enjoying a late rally.

Over in the Western Conference the Seattle Seawolves are now two points outside of playing knockout rugby and the Houston SaberCats made strides with an impressive victory over the San Diego Legion.

Free Jacks beat Hounds in battle of the East

Coming into Week 13 the only place to focus your attention was the New England Free Jacks’ clash with the Chicago Hounds.

For much of 2025 Chicago have set the pace in the Eastern Conference, although New England’s late surge this season has put them at the top of the division with the end of the regular season in sight.

To strengthen their grip on top spot they sealed a 27-17 win.

In the opening exchanges Chicago’s Mason Flesch and the Free Jacks’ Joe Johnston each crossed the whitewash, with Dan Hollinshead’s conversion for the latter putting the hosts ahead.

The Hounds rallied to score tries through Dylan Fawsitt and Noah Brown.

In the 34th minute Chicago’s Luke White was shown a yellow card and New England’s Jone Koroiduadua received a 20-minute red card.

On the stroke of half-time Paula Balekana dotted down to keep the hosts in the contest.

At the start of the second half both teams saw players sent to the sin bin again as Chicago’s Tim Swiel and the hosts’ Jero Gomez Vara were shown yellow cards.

Shortly after both teams were restored to their full numbers the Hounds’ Zurabi Zhvania got a yellow card and the Free Jacks’ Jed Melvin soon took advantage with a try.

To take command of the clash former England U20 international Cam Nordli-Kelemeti dotted down and a Hollinshead penalty took the result beyond doubt.

Los Angeles leave no room for doubt against Anthem

To end a stretch of four games without a win Rugby Football Club Los Angeles enjoyed a 45-17 victory over Anthem RC.

The hosts scored seven tries, and survived Ben Houston’s 20 minute red card, in front of their home support to dispatch their Eastern Conference opposition in style.

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The result means that Anthem still have no wins to their name and have four games left to beat their 2024 tally of five points.

While that may sound like an easy job, the North Carolinians have not picked up a try scoring or losing bonus point since their 46-45 loss to the Houston SaberCats in Week 6.

It was announced during the broadcast of the fixture that former Dallas Jackals boss Agustin Cavalieri has taken over the head coach role from Alama Ieremia.

SaberCats do the business in San Diego

The Houston SaberCats looked to get back to familiar ways with their 37-20 win over San Diego Legion in California.

Juan-Dee Oliver’s converted try in the 15th minute set the tone, although the hosts did strike back through Brad Wilkin while the SaberCats were reduced a player when Emmanuel Albert received a yellow card for an act of foul play that left him injured.

A Davy Coetzer penalty and converted Dom Akina score saw Houston take a half-time lead.

The second half was a more even affair, as the visitors registered scores through Johan Momsen, Tautalatasi Tasi and an AJ Alatimu penalty, while San Diego crossed the whitewash through Wilkin and a Shilo Klein brace.

The win helped Houston leapfrog San Diego and move second in the Western Conference, with the Utah Warriors’ bonus-point defeat to Seattle keeping them on top.

Two postseason places up for grabs in Eastern Conference

At this moment in time, it is not an unfair presumption that the New England Free Jacks and Chicago Hounds will finish as the top two teams in the Eastern Conference.

But a look below the table-toppers and there are three teams vying for knockout rugby.

The Miami Sharks have moved up to third after a 25-19 win over the NOLA Gold in Louisiana.

One point behind Danny Lee’s side are Old Glory DC, who enjoyed a week off and have a game in hand on the Sharks.

Then, just one point behind DC, are the Gold with 29 points. To kick-start Week 14, Old Glory and NOLA will play one another on Tuesday night, while DC also have a Sunday night encounter with Anthem RC.

There could be some more twists in the tale as each team looks to stake a claim in the MLR playoffs this June.

Seawolves back in postseason contention

The Seattle Seawolves have now brought themselves back into postseason contention with a 28-24 win over the Utah Warriors.

It was Rhyno Herbst’s late score that spelled victory for Allen Clarke’s team and now sees the Pacific Northwesterners two points behind Rugby Football Club Los Angeles in the Western Conference.

In their final four games of the season Seattle will have their work cut out for them, with matches against the San Diego Legion, Houston SaberCats, New England Free Jacks and Miami Sharks coming up.

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