Round 7 of Major League Rugby 2025 delivered everything fans could ask for—record-breaking comebacks, high-scoring shootouts, and gritty road wins.
From the Free Jacks overturning a 21-point halftime deficit in Utah to the SaberCats toppling the undefeated Legion in Houston, every match brought drama, intensity, and playoff-shifting consequences. RFC Los Angeles and Seattle also continued their rise, while Chicago held off NOLA in a heart-stopper.
Let’s recap all the Round 7 action across the league.
FREE JACKS STAGE RECORD COMEBACK TO STUN UTAH IN SALT LAKE THRILLER
Utah Warriors 26 – 33 New England Free Jacks (HT: 26-5)
The New England Free Jacks pulled off the biggest comeback in franchise history, overturning a 21-point halftime deficit to defeat the Utah Warriors 33-26 in a dramatic Major League Rugby clash in Salt Lake City. Trailing 26-5 at the break after conceding four tries—scored by Liam Coltman, Uah Aki Seiuli, Nic Benn, and Kyle Brown—the reigning champions came alive in the second half with five unanswered tries. Jerónimo Gómez Vara scored New England’s lone first-half try, but it was Cam Nordli-Kelemet’s score in the 51st minute that sparked the turnaround. Brock Webster and Oscar Lennon dotted down soon after, with Faletoi Peni’s conversions tying the match at 26-26. Utah looked poised to retake control late, but a crucial knock-on inside the Free Jacks’ five-meter line handed possession back to the visitors. In the dying moments, Andrew Quattrin completed the comeback with a dramatic final-minute try, sealing a famous road win for New England, who now sit at 3-0-3 on the season.
UTAH WARRIORS
- Tries: Coltman (5’), Seiuli (14’), Benn (20’), Brown (38’)
- Conversions: Hodgson (15’, 21’, 39’)
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
- Tries: Gómez Vara (8’), Nordli-Kelemet (48’), Webster (56’), Lennon (61’), Quattrin (80’)
- Conversions: Peni (49’, 57’, 62’, 80’)
SEAWOLVES SURGE PAST ANTHEM RC WITH SECOND-HALF BLITZ IN SEATTLE
Seattle Seawolves 25 – 17 Anthem RC (HT: 3-7)
The Seattle Seawolves powered past Anthem RC 25-17 at Starfire Stadium, scoring four second-half tries to overturn a halftime deficit and claim a hard-fought home win. Anthem struck first through Michael Ma’afu in the 24th minute, and with Mitch Wilson’s conversion, the visitors led 7-3 at the break despite a late Rodney Iona penalty for Seattle. Wilson added a second-half penalty to stretch Anthem’s lead to 10-3, but the Seawolves responded immediately off the restart with a try to shift momentum. South African fullback Divan Rossouw then took over, crossing twice in five minutes to put the hosts ahead 20-10. Both sides lost a man to the bin—Karl Keane for Anthem and Mason Pedersen for Seattle—but the Seawolves capitalized on a penalty to score their fourth try in the 73rd minute, effectively sealing the game. Anthem showed late fight, with Jake Turnbull bulldozing over for a try in the 78th, but a knock-on ended their comeback hopes. Seattle improves their record with another home win, while Anthem continues their search for consistency in their inaugural MLR campaign.
SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
- Tries: Pulu (50’), Rossouw (59’, 64’), Esdsale (72’)
- Conversions: Iona (51’)
- Penalties: Iona (39’)
ANTHEM RC
- Tries: Ma’afu (23’), Turnbull (77’)
- Conversions: Wilson (24’, 78’)
- Penalties: Wilson (49’)
SABERCATS STUN LEGION WITH STATEMENT WIN IN HOUSTON
Houston SaberCats 34 – 14 San Diego Legion (HT: 17-7)
The Houston SaberCats delivered a commanding 34-14 victory over previously unbeaten San Diego Legion on Saturday night, leveling both teams at 5-1 atop the MLR Western Conference. Backed by a dominant forward pack and a clinical kicking game, Houston controlled the tempo from start to finish, handing the Legion their first defeat of the season. The SaberCats struck early and never looked back, with Davy Coetzer leading the charge through a try, penalty, and conversions for a 12-point haul. Scrum-half Andre Warner, named Man of the Match, pulled the strings with sharp distribution and scored a try of his own as Houston built a 17-7 halftime cushion. The physicality of Sam Tuifua and Pono Davis proved decisive, with Tuifua notching 106 meters and 18 carries. Houston’s defensive grit stifled the Legion’s attack in the second half, and A.J. Alatimu’s late penalty sealed the result. Emmanuel Albert celebrated his 50th cap in style, contributing to a collective effort that reaffirmed Houston’s championship ambitions. The SaberCats have now handed two unbeaten teams their first loss and sit firmly in playoff contention.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
- Tries: Warner (18’), Coetzer (25’), Penalty Try (45’), McLean (56’)
- Conversions: Coetzer (19’, 26’, 57’)
- Penalties: Coetzer (12’), Alatimu (76’)
SAN DIEGO LEGION
- Tries: Klein (15’), Poidevin (78’)
- Conversions: McClutchie (16’), Brache (79’)
HOUNDS EDGE NOLA IN THRILLING TWO-POINT FINISH IN NEW ORLEANS
Chicago Hounds 20 – 18 NOLA Gold (HT: 5-11)
The Chicago Hounds secured a dramatic 20-18 win over NOLA Gold in a tightly contested Week 7 showdown, overcoming an early deficit to clinch victory on the road. NOLA started strong, with Dorian Jones slotting an early penalty and Julian Roberts powering over for the game’s first try. A second penalty from Jones extended the lead to 11-0 before the Hounds responded late in the half with a crucial try to make it 11-5 at the break. Momentum shifted after halftime as Chicago stormed back with two quick tries and a penalty to surge ahead 20-11. But NOLA refused to go quietly—Aidan King crossed for a late try, and Jones’ conversion closed the gap to just two points. Despite a final push from the home side, the Hounds’ defense held firm in the closing minutes to seal a gritty win. The result lifts Chicago in the Western Conference standings, while NOLA will look to bounce back next weekend against Anthem RC.
NOLA GOLD
- Tries: Roberts (21’), King (76’)
- Conversions: Jones (77’)
- Penalties: Jones (18’, 34’)
CHICAGO HOUNDS
- Tries: Fawsitt (39’), Hilsenbeck (51’), Penalty Try (54’)
- Penalties: Hilsenbeck (62’)
RFCLA OUTGUN OLD GLORY IN 98-POINT THRILLER TO SECURE THIRD STRAIGHT WIN
RFC Los Angeles 54 – 44 Old Glory DC (HT: 19-23)
RFC Los Angeles made it three wins in a row with a pulsating 54-44 victory over Old Glory DC in one of the most entertaining matches of the 2025 MLR season so far. Despite playing nearly 30 minutes with a man down due to three first-half yellow cards, RFCLA put on a scintillating attacking display in front of a raucous home crowd. The hosts stormed out of the gates with three early tries, including a dominant maul finish, a slicing line break from Billy Meakes, and a clever dummy-and-dive from Ben Houston. But discipline quickly became an issue as three yellow cards disrupted their rhythm. Even so, RFCLA showed impressive resilience, with bench halfback Tasman Smith stepping up and Ed Timpson delivering a standout all-around performance to earn Man of the Match honors. Reece McDonald made his long-awaited return from injury, and Andrew Coe shone in the backline as the LA attack continued to click despite the chaos. Old Glory kept pace with RFCLA’s firepower and capitalized on their numerical advantage during stretches of the game. However, RFCLA’s bench made a significant impact in the second half, helping the team pull away late and secure a bonus-point win. With the result, RFCLA continues their rise in the Western Conference and now turns their focus to a key clash with the Houston SaberCats next weekend.
RFC LOS ANGELES
- Tries: Timpson (11’, 46’), Meakes (16’), Houston (28’), Dyer (50’), Sosene-Feagai (58’), Penalty Try (69’), Smith (74’)
- Conversions: Leali’ifano (17’, 29’, 47’, 51’, 59’), MacDonald (79’)
OLD GLORY DC
- Tries: Grigg (2’), Penalty Try (36’, 53’), Iscaro (41’), Vaca (72’)
- Conversions: Robertson (3’, 42’, 73’)
- Penalties: Robertson (15’, 23, 27’)
STANDINGS AFTER ROUND 7
Round 7 shook up the standings and showcased the growing depth and drama of Major League Rugby.
The Free Jacks proved their championship mettle with a historic comeback, Houston staked their claim as title contenders, and RFC Los Angeles delivered another show-stopper. With playoff races heating up, next week’s clashes are shaping up to be just as unpredictable and entertaining.
Who impressed you most in Round 7? Drop your thoughts in the comments and let’s talk rugby.
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