Former Griquas head coach Scott Mathie got a big feather in his cap by guiding the New England Free Jacks to their first-ever Major League Rugby title against a powerful San Diego Legion side.
The Free Jacks fought hard to claim a 25-24 victory against the Legion in a thrilling MLR Championship final in Bridgeview, Illinois.
It was the first time that the Free Jacks have lifted the Major League shield and it was thanks to a 77th-minute try from former Sharks XV and UCT Ikey Tigers centre Le Roux Malan.
The @NEFreeJacks have defeated @SDLegion 25-24 to win their first ever MLR Championship Final!
Check out the full match highlights.
📺 @FOXTV | #SDvNE | #QuestForTheShield | #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/0afy9Rf4Y9
— Major League Rugby (@usmlr) July 8, 2023
Namibian international Malan was up against former All Blacks centre Ma’a Nonu, who formed San Diego’s midfield partnership with former Stormers and Western province centre Marcel Brache.
Mathie has been coaching the Free Jacks since late 2021. The former Bulls and Sharks scrumhalf started coaching at Durban High and got his professional rugby breakthrough as an assistant coach at the Griquas under Brent Janse van Rensburg. He was appointed as Griquas head coach in 2019 and held the position for two seasons, before moving to the USA.
Photo: Frikkie Kapp/Gallo Images