In an international clash of champions, the Seattle Seawolves came out on top, 29-21, against Mitre 10 Cup Champions, the Tasman Mako of New Zealand. The Mako played with speed and great tackling, but it wasn’t enough to defeat the reigning Major League Rugby champions who held the lead all 80 minutes of the match.
FIRST HALF:
16 minutes of scoreless back-and-forth play ended when a Seattle line out turned into a maul. Driving towards the Mako try zone, Seawolves hooker,
Stephan Coetzee peeled off and took it overfor 5 points. “Baller” Brock Staller lined up for the extra points and converted, bringing the score
to 7-0, Seattle. An interception from 2019 league MVP Brad Tucker resulted in a 35 meter breakaway and the second Seawolves try of the evening.
Staller attempted to add 2 more points to the board, but kicked it wide and missed. 12-0, Seattle. The Seawolves attempted to score another in
the final minute of the half, but great defense by the Tasman stopped the home team.
SECOND HALF:
The Mako came out firing with their first try of the evening from their forward pack and convertedthekick, 12-7, Seattle. Washington native fly half, Scott Dean, punished the Mako for being offsides with a converted penalty kick for 3 more points. With 20 minutes to go, a Tasman scrum added another 5 points to the board after a series of penalties against Seattle. Score 15-14, Seattle.
A deep kick off backed the Mako into their own half and gave Seattle a line out opportunity. An overthrown ball sailed into the hands of Vili Toluta’u,
setting up Seattle for success. Scrum half, JPSmith, settled the ball and dished it out back and the ball ultimately found Ross Neal who scored.
Dean proved himself invaluable as a sideline kick was knocked through the uprights for another two points. 22-14, Seattle.
Seattle’s Joey Iosefa touched down for another Seawolves’ try and Dean stayed accurate, slicing it through the uprights, 29-14, Seattle. The Mako were able to answer back eventually with their forward pack after patient offensive decision making. Kick was converted, 29- 21, Seattle.
In the final five minutes of the game, Seawolves dominated possession of the ball, hunting for a hopeful go-ahead try, but were unable to overcome
the Tasman defense after Riekert Hattingh attempted to carry. The final score was 29-21, Seattle.
NEXT HUNT:
The Seawolves kick off their 2020 regular season on February 9, in a championship rematch against the San Diego Legion in San Diego. The match will be broadcast on CBS as the CBS Sports Game of the Week.
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