There’s a new name on the MLR shield in 2022, as Rugby New York overcame two-time champions Seattle Seawolves to record a famous victory.

Not only was it New York’s first title, but their win ensured that the shield was heading to an Eastern Conference team for the first time in the league’s history.

Rugby New York claim famous victory 

Initially, Seattle made a blistering start to the Championship game. The Seawolves scored after three minutes, with the first attacking play.

Quick passing in the middle of the pack and with numbers on their side, the Seawolves found a pocket of space for winger Martin Iosefo to power over the gain line.

In a frantic first 10 minutes, New York quickly responded. Using the strength of their forward pack and nimble offloads from a resulting scrum, Will Tucker bamboozled the Seawolves defense, who were low in numbers and too slow to recover, to score five points for the team from the East. Jason Emery added two further points with a successful conversion.

As the game reached the half-hour mark, New York made their move and took the lead for the first time. A fantastic driving maul from a lineout resulted in a penalty try and with it a 14-8 lead.

Former New Zealand All-Black, Andy Ellis (with 28 international caps) had a memorable farewell game. As half-time loomed, Ellis finished off a slick attack with quick passes across the middle-pack too much for the Seawolves’ defense to handle. He found some space and duly made the Seattle defense pay.

Rugby New York took a convincing 22-8 lead into halftime after a slow start.

The second half started in a similar fashion to the closing stages of the first. New York took control and in the 56th minute scored the best try of the game.

Once again, Ellis controlled the game like a puppet master at the breakdowns. His nimble footwork and attentive attacking prowess lead to a passage of play worthy of any champions. Pass after pass was met with scintillating attacking movement, finished off by replacement number 17 Nic Mayew, to increase New York’s score to 27-8.

What interplay from the @rugbynewyork forwards!! They create a beautiful try to extend their lead to 27-8!

Can they hold on in these last 20 minutes to hoist up their franchise’s first MLR Shield?#QuestForTheShield #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/8I64V38UaU

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 25, 2022

The Seawolves responded five minutes later, with their first points in the second half. As Samuel Israel Matengra powered passed two New York tackles to set himself free for the gain line.

Then, in the 67th minute of play the Seawolves thought they were back in touch to set up a tantalising finish to the game. However, on review, the TMO disallowed the try and the score remained 27-15.

It was inevitable that the league’s all-time leading points scorer was going to have a say in the outcome of the final result. That premonition was met as Sam Windsor finished off a pulsating game with a drop goal to give Rugby New York an unassailable 30-15 lead and hand them their first MLR Championship.

Ice in the veins of Sam Windsor . Knocking over a drop goal to make it a two score game with 7 minutes left!#QuestForTheShield #MLR2022 pic.twitter.com/d4xHqOMzdr

— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) June 25, 2022

The two outsiders heading into the play-offs put on a show that will be remembered in the MLR history books. In the end, New York, even without top try scorer Ed Fidow, had too much-attacking power on the day for Seattle to handle.

If this year’s championship taught us one thing, it’s that MLR is wholly unpredictable and we cannot wait for the next installment in early 2023.

You can catch the highlights of the final on the MLR YouTube channel here.