New England Free Jacks beat SaberCats to clinch historic three-peat

The Major League Rugby shield is staying in New England, with the Free Jacks securing a three-peat of titles by defeating the Houston SaberCats 28-22 in the Championship Final at Rhode Island’s Centreville Bank Stadium.

New England claimed their first-ever MLR title in 2023 with a dramatic 25-24 win over San Diego Legion at SeatGeek Stadium in Chicago, before backing that up with another championship run as they got the better of Seattle Seawolves in the 2024 big dance.

Seattle were the first and only side to go back-to-back before New England, accomplishing that feat in the MLR’s first two seasons in 2018 and 2019. But the Free Jacks readied for a shot at greatness before 2025, looking to become the first side to clinch three straight crowns.

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Springbok Andre Giant Esterhuizen on his new hybrid role

 

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The Free Jacks made yet another run towards the title this season, beating the Miami Sharks 32-10 and the Chicago Hounds 21-20 in the Eastern Conference playoffs. With the SaberCats beating Rugby Football Club Los Angeles and the Utah Warriors, the stage was set for the decider.

Dan Hollinshead scored the first points of the final with a successful shot at goal in the seventh minute, after Houston were caught offside around the ruck, but the SaberCats struck back soon after as AJ Alatimu nailed a penalty attempt as well.

Brock Webster raced upfield before passing the ball onto Paula Balekana, who had come off the left wing to score the first try of the match. Hollinshead converted the try and added another three points to the Free Jacks’ score soon after, as the defending champs built up a lead.

Max Schumacher reduced the deficit with a try soon after, and while the Free Jacks came close to scoring, desperate defence from the SaberCats kept the scores at 13-10 for the time being – with Canadians Brock Webster and Andrew Quattrin held up over the try line.

Free Jacks’ Sam Caird and the SaberCats’ Drake Davis traded tries in the second half, before Hollinshead extended New England’s lead with another penalty. But then the match took a turn, with New England’s Pier von Dadelszen shown a yellow card.

While the Texans gave it everything, New England were actually next to score. Balekana crossed for a decisive try – the Fijians’ 15^th try of the 2025 season – before completing a double soon after, beating Rufus McLean to add five points to the Fee Jacks’ score.

Houston gave themselves a chance of an incredible comeback when Schumacher scored in the 79^th minute, making it a six-point game with time still on the clock, but New England stood strong in defence to hold on.

Dom Akina dropped the ball around halfway, allowing Hollinshead to boot the ball into touch, securing the first-ever three-peat in MLR history. New England are now the outright most successful club in MLR history, moving one ahead of Seattle.