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Watch: Joey Mano’s bulldozing try sends California Legion into MLR final
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California Legion will face either the Chicago Hounds or Old Glory DC in the Major League Rugby Championship Game on June 28 in Chicago.
Legion were the first team to book their place in the 2026 final after a narrow, and thrilling 43-34 victory over the Seattle Seawolves.
Tries from Legion winger and former USA Eagles flyer Joey Mano, and Jason Damm helped the first-year franchise overcome the Seawolves, despite scores from Rufus McLean and Davy Coetzer.
The Starfire Stadium semi-final featured red cards, counterattack tries, and back-and-forth lead changes, in a bounce-back result for Legion, who just last week lost to the Seawolves 33-19.
The first try of the semi-final came from the former USA winger, Mano, down the left-hand touchline.
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It all started in the middle of the field, with Australian-born Billy Meakes firing a pass to Lance Williams, who found Mano in space.
The two-Test Hawaiian-born winger opted for the direct route to the try-line, barging his way over Duncan Matthews to open proceedings.
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The Seawolves were determined to find their way to 2026’s final, with Coetzer nailing every opportunity off the tee during the second half.
But it was in the 59th minute that the game changed, with Coby Miln, the league’s top point scorer during the MLR regular season, kicking Legion back into the contest.
The Californian-based MLR franchise then rolled up their sleeves deep inside the Seawolves’ half, using a short pass to take the lead.
Legion’s replacement Ronan Murphy saw a gap open up in the Seawolves defence, darting through a hole under the posts.
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The away side’s final try of the contest was an efficient rolling maul from inside the Seawolves’ red zone, where Ale Lopeti found himself with the ball over the line.
Miln converted the try before the Legion were forced to absorb ten minutes of ferocious Seawolves attack to hold on and reach their first final as an MLR franchise.
The Hounds and Old Glory will battle on Tuesday NZT to determine who the second 2026 finalist will be alongside the Legion.
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