On Sunday, the New England Free Jacks took a big step toward a chance to defend their two straight Major League Rugby championships, clinching a top two-seed in the Eastern Conference and guaranteeing a home playoff game by beating the Seattle Seawolves 37-30.

Things started poorly at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Quincy as Seattle jumped to a 12-0 lead. The Jacks went to work, first narrowing the halftime edge to three at 15-12, then dominating the second half.

New England flipped that 15-12 first-half deficit with tries by Paula Balekana, Ben LeSage, Cam Nordli-Kelemet and two penalty kicks by Brock Webster in the second 40 minutes. Scores by Jone Koroiduadua and Balekana helped the Free Jacks overcome the 12-0 first half deficit.

Sunday’s match was a rematch of the 2024 MLR title match, and with the win New England improved to 10-0-5 (11 bonus points) for 51 points. They sit two points ahead of the Chicago Hounds in the race for the Eastern Conference’s top seed. The Free Jacks can clinch the No. 1 seed with a win at NOLA Gold in Round 17 on Saturday at 7 p.m..