The San Diego Legion wants to make it to the “big dance,” but to get there, they need one more win at home.
They will have their chance at 3 p.m. Sunday, when the team (15-1) takes on the Seattle Seawolves (12-4) at Snapdragon Stadium with the Western Conference title up for grabs.
Whoever wins moves on to the Major League Rugby championship game outside Chicago on July 8 to face the Eastern Conference victor, either the New England Free Jacks (14-2), looking to avoid an upset by Old Glory DC (7-8-1).
The Legion and the Seawolves face each other in the postseason for the fourth time in the league’s six-season history. Seattle has the advantage, with wins in the 2018 semifinal, 2019 Championship Final (in the final seconds) and the 2022 eliminator.
San Diego, however, bested the Seawolves in the regular season, going 2-0 against them during a league record 13-game win streak. They also beat the Free Jacks before the streak began in March and Old Glory early on in their run.
The team, led by Nate Augspurger, Tomas Aoake, Richard Judd and Mikey Te’o, also has not dropped a home game this season.
Legion players – hooker Sean McNulty and flyhalf Will Hooley – spoke to Fox5 San Diego this week in advance of Sunday’s game. McNulty gave credit to Seattle, calling the team “good caliber” while noting their two championships. Hooley, though, pointed to the Legion’s own recent accomplishments.
“We’re staying humble, but at same time we’re very proud of what we’ve achieved in this regular season,” Hooley said.
As for the big dance – the MLR plays for the “Championship Shield” – “fingers crossed we can get the job done this weekend and get to Chicago,” McNulty said.
