Written by Joe Harvey
As the race for the Major League Rugby Shield continues to heat up, here is a look at the MLR Championship Series presented by Fastenal.
There are just two more weeks of the regular season, and four teams have already confirmed their place in the postseason.
First up will be the Eliminator Round, in which the second and third-place teams in the Eastern and Western Conference will go toe-to-toe for a place in the Conference Finals, where the number one ranked team from each division will be waiting.
The Chicago Hounds’ SeatGeek Stadium will host this year’s Championship Final on Saturday, July 8, the culmination of the MLR season, where the remaining two teams battle it out for the Shield Live on FOX at 3 PM ET. Matches will be broadcast live on FS1 and FS2 across the Championship Series, a rugby event you won’t want to miss.
ELIMINATOR ROUND (#2 VS #3)
SATURDAY, JUNE 24 CONFERENCE FINAL, 6 PM ET on FS2
Played at the home venue of the number one ranked side of the Eastern and Western Conferences, the Conference Finals is the penultimate stage before the Championship Finals.
After a week’s break, the home teams will come into these games fresh-faced and take on the Eliminator winners.
Only the New England Free Jacks have claimed a spot in this stage of proceedings, their 12-2 record helping them to a second home Conference Final game in a row.
Last year, Scott Mathie’s side was bettered by New York, and will certainly have the motivation to avoid making the same mistake again, regardless of their opposition.
With reigning league MVP, Beaudein Waaka, back in their ranks, the team has only continued to get stronger as the year has passed, making them favorites in this game already.