Round 16 of the 2025 Major League Rugby season featured critical playoff battles, comeback wins, and strong statements from top teams.
The Sharks made history in Miami, Utah and RFCLA clinched postseason spots, and the Free Jacks edged Seattle to secure a home semi-final.
- Miami Sharks 36 – 32 San Diego Legion
- Utah Warriors 31 – 10 Anthem RC
- Old Glory DC 32 – 43 RFC Los Angeles
- Chicago Hounds 38 – 17 NOLA Gold
- New England Free Jacks 37 – 30 Seattle Seawolves
Here are all the recaps and highlights from Round 16:
SHARKS HOLD OFF LEGION IN THRILLER TO SECURE FIRST-EVER PLAYOFF BERTH
Miami Sharks 36 – 32 San Diego Legion (HT: 17–12)
In a historic night at the Shark Tank, the Miami Sharks clinched their first-ever Major League Rugby playoff spot with a thrilling 36–32 victory over the San Diego Legion. Roared on by a sell-out crowd, the Sharks delivered a courageous, high-intensity performance that capped off their final home game of the regular season in style. Miami exploded out of the gate, with Benjamin Bonasso crashing over just one minute in. Shane O’Leary added a penalty, and Manuel Ardao powered through for a second try to give the hosts a 17–0 lead. But the Legion struck back with two quick tries, cutting the gap to 17–12 by halftime and setting up a nail-biting second half. O’Leary’s calm boot added three penalties to keep Miami in front, but San Diego kept pushing, crossing twice more to close within a point at 29–28. Then came the turning point: a pinpoint kick from Inciarte to Josiah Morra, who sprinted down the touchline for a stunning try that gave Miami breathing room at 36–28. San Diego added a late try with two minutes left, but the Sharks’ defense stood tall in the final moments. With grit, precision, and heart, Miami sealed a historic win — and a place in the postseason. A playoff berth, a packed stadium, and a defining moment for a young franchise: the Shark Tank will never forget this night.
MIAMI SHARKS
- Tries: Bonasso (1’), Ardao (14’), Morra (72’)
- Conversions: O’Leary (2’, 15’, 73’)
- Penalties: O’Leary (6’, 42’, 49’, 55’, 66’)
SAN DIEGO LEGION
- Tries: Roach (32’, 39’), Holloway (45’), Wilkin (61’), Poidevin (77’)
- Conversions: Crimp (33’), McClutchie (78’)
- Penalties: McClutchie (70’)
UTAH PUNCHES PLAYOFF TICKET WITH DOMINANT WIN OVER ANTHEM RC
Utah Warriors 31 – 10 Anthem RC (HT: 17–3)
The Utah Warriors clinched a playoff spot in emphatic fashion on Friday night, overpowering Anthem RC 31–10 in Herriman. In a match marked by physicality from both sides, the Warriors’ clinical finishing and defensive resilience proved decisive as they notched five tries and shut down multiple Anthem scoring threats. Utah opened the scoring in the 10th minute, with league-leading try-scorer Joey Mano crossing after sustained pressure. Just five minutes later, Dylan Nel dotted down under the posts to make it 12–0. Anthem responded through a penalty from Mitch Wilson, but Cole Semu’s slick finish pushed Utah further ahead at 17–3. A potential fourth first-half try was disallowed for obstruction, giving Anthem a reprieve before the break. The Warriors struck early in the second half, as Tonga Kofe muscled over in the 45th minute. While Anthem showed flashes — including a disallowed try by EJ Freeman and a late score from Dan Hanson — they couldn’t match Utah’s efficiency. Nic Benn added another try in the 66th minute, sealing the result before Anthem crossed late from a driving maul. It was a composed and professional performance from Utah, who continue their strong run into the postseason. For Anthem, the learning curve remains steep, but the grit and flashes of promise suggest better days ahead.
UTAH WARRIORS
- Tries: Mano (9’), Nel (14’), Semu (22’), Kofe (45’), Benn (65’)
- Conversions: Auto-Conversions (14’, 45’), Hodgson (66’)
ANTHEM RC
- Tries: Hanson (70’)
- Conversions: Wilson (71’)
- Penalties: Wilson (19’)
RFCLA SECURE PLAYOFF BERTH IN CHAOTIC CLASH WITH OLD GLORY DC
Old Glory DC 32 – 43 RFC Los Angeles (HT: 22–14)
In a drama-filled encounter marked by power outages and playoff implications, RFCLA outlasted Old Glory DC 43–32 at the Maryland SoccerPlex on Saturday night to book their spot in the MLR postseason. Despite a blazing start from DC and an early 22–7 lead, it was RFCLA who stormed back with seven tries from six different scorers to seal the deal. Old Glory got the party started early, with Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz powering over in the third minute. After Christian Dyer answered for LA, DC found more success out wide through John Rizzo and Axel Müller, both set up by slick passes from Jason Emery. Müller’s second try seemed to cement DC’s control at 22–7, but RFCLA clawed back before the break with a crucial converted try, narrowing the gap to 22–14 at halftime. The second half belonged to LA. Three unanswered tries in a ten-minute stretch flipped the script entirely, putting RFCLA ahead 28–22. DC kept pace with additional scores but failed to regain the lead, and in the dying minutes, a heartbreaking turnover inside LA’s 22 led to a length-of-the-field try that sealed the match and denied DC a second bonus point. While Old Glory still remains in the playoff hunt, this loss puts pressure on their final-week clash with San Diego. For RFCLA, it’s celebration time—they’re officially headed to the playoffs and chasing a potential home semi-final with a win next week.
OLD GLORY DC
- Tries: Fa’anana-Schultz (2’), Rizzo (14’), Müller (26’, 32’), Grigg (60’), Sheehy (71’)
- Conversions: Emery (15’)
RFC LOS ANGELES
- Tries: Dyer (8’), Houston (39’, 49’), Anstee (53’), Strang (62’), Damm (78’), Purdy (80’)
- Conversions: Lealiifano (9’, 50’), Dyer (40’), McDonald (54’)
(highlights not available due to power outages)
CHICAGO PULL AWAY AFTER SLOW START TO DEFEAT NOLA GOLD IN DAWG TOWN
Chicago Hounds 38 – 17 NOLA Gold (HT: 14–7)
The Chicago Hounds shook off an early scare to overpower NOLA Gold 38–17 on Saturday night at SeatGeek Stadium, moving to 10–5 on the season and inching closer to playoff contention. After falling behind early and struggling to get on the board, the Hounds found their rhythm late in the first half and never looked back. NOLA started brightly, opening the scoring in the 10th minute with a converted try that gave them a 7–0 lead. Chicago remained scoreless through the first half-hour before Oliver Devoto powered over from close range to tie the match. Moments later, loosehead prop Fakaosifolau Pifeleti crossed the line, and Chris Hilsenbeck’s second successful conversion gave Chicago a 14–7 halftime advantage. The Hounds erupted after the break. Rookie winger Peyton Wall continued his breakout season with a try in the 47th minute, followed by a trademark maul try from hooker Dylan Fawsitt. Though NOLA clawed back through Ed Fidow, Chicago quickly responded through Bryce Campbell and a late score from Liam Fletcher—his first MLR try—to seal a bonus-point win. Chicago now prepares for a short turnaround as they host the Houston SaberCats midweek. NOLA, meanwhile, drops to 6–9 and will need results to fall their way to stay in the playoff mix.
CHICAGO HOUNDS
- Tries: Devoto (30’), Pifeleti (37’), Wall (47’), Fawsitt (56’), Campbell (65’), Fletcher (76’)
- Conversions: Hilsenbeck (31’, 38’, 48’, 77’)
NOLA GOLD
- Tries: Du Plessis (9’), Tonga’Uiha (61’), Stevens (68’)
- Conversions: Carty (10’)
FREE JACKS OUTLAST SEATTLE IN THRILLER TO CLINCH HOME PLAYOFF
New England Free Jacks 37 – 30 Seattle Seawolves (HT: 12–15)
The New England Free Jacks secured a crucial home playoff berth with a high-octane 37–30 victory over the Seattle Seawolves at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Despite trailing early and conceding two quick tries, the Free Jacks clawed their way back with dominant possession and a hat-trick performance from winger Paula Balekana. Seattle struck just 30 seconds in through Toni Pulu, then added a second try via Dewald Kotze to lead 12–0 by the 15th minute. But a red card to Seattle captain Rhyno Herbst in the 26th minute shifted momentum. New England capitalized immediately, with Jone Koroiduadua and Balekana touching down to level the match. A late penalty gave Seattle a narrow 15–12 lead at halftime, despite being outplayed in territory and possession. Balekana opened the second half with his second try, followed by scores from Ben Lesage and a Nordli-Kelemeti. Though Seattle responded through Donald and Kotze to stay within reach, late penalties by Brock Webster sealed the win for New England. The Free Jacks will now head to New Orleans with playoff momentum on their side.
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
- Tries: Koroiduadua (27’), Balekana (36’, 42’), Lesage (46’), Nordli-Kelemeti
- Conversions: Potroz (28’), Webster (47’, 59’)
- Penalties: Webster (68’, 77’)
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
- Tries: Pulu (1’), Kotze (15’, 72’), Donald (64’)
- Conversions: Iona (16’), Fouche (65’)
- Penalties: Iona (39’), Fouche (79’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 16
With just two rounds left in the regular season, the playoff picture is coming into focus—but plenty is still at stake.
Stay tuned for more coverage as the race to the postseason heats up.
Who impressed you most in Round 16? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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