Colorado Gray Wolves Triumph Over All Blues Rugby in 2024 Legacy Cup Finals

In a dramatic conclusion to the 2024 Legacy Cup Finals, the Colorado Gray Wolves emerged victorious over the All Blues, securing a thrilling 31-27 win at MacPherson Stadium in Greensboro, North Carolina. The high-stakes match, hosted by Women’s Elite Rugby (WER), marked the first-ever Legacy Cup, ushering in a new era of competitive women’s rugby in the United States.

As the clock wound down with both teams tied 24-24, the All Blues took a calculated risk, opting for a penalty kick to take a 27-24 lead with just minutes left on the clock. But in a breathtaking finish, the Gray Wolves stormed back, scoring a last-minute try that secured the championship and cemented their place in history as the inaugural Legacy Cup champions.

A Fierce Battle From Start to Finish

The match saw early dominance from the Gray Wolves, who struck first with a try from wing Erica Coulibaly just two minutes into the game. Flyhalf McKenzie Hawkins added the conversion, giving Colorado a quick 7-0 lead and setting the tone for an intense contest. The All Blues responded with relentless pressure, spending much of the first half in Gray Wolves territory but struggled to capitalize until inside center Jade McGrath powered through multiple defenders to score the All Blues’ first try. With the conversion missed, the score stood at 7-5, keeping the Gray Wolves in the lead.

As the first half progressed, Colorado’s well-drilled set-piece play continued to trouble the All Blues. Captain Rachel Ehrecke’s leadership in the lineout allowed the Gray Wolves to maintain their advantage, culminating in a second try from Coulibaly after some slick passing from the backs. The All Blues fought back, taking advantage of Colorado’s penalties to position themselves deep in Gray Wolves territory, but their opportunities were thwarted by key defensive plays from Colorado’s pack.

Just before halftime, the All Blues found a breakthrough, with fullback Olivia Bernadel-Huey weaving through the Gray Wolves’ defense to set up hooker Hope Cooper for a well-earned try. The conversion tied the game at 12-12, and both teams headed into the break knowing that the second half would require even more grit and determination.

Second Half: Back-and-Forth Drama

The second half opened with Colorado once again finding success in the lineout, with hooker Gianna Solomon driving over the line from a powerful maul to put the Gray Wolves ahead 19-12. A few minutes later, Solomon repeated her efforts, adding another try to stretch the lead to 24-12.

The All Blues refused to back down. They capitalized on a 10-minute penalty against Colorado, allowing No. 8 Roz Okpara to crash over the try line and close the gap to 24-19. With momentum shifting, the All Blues pressed harder, and after a brilliant run from reserve wing Naomi Carrillo, they scored again, bringing the game to a tense 24-24 tie with just over 10 minutes to play.

It was anyone’s game as both teams sought a decisive score. A critical penalty from Bernadel-Huey gave the All Blues a narrow 27-24 lead with less than six minutes on the clock. But the Gray Wolves, with their championship pedigree, were not finished yet. In the final moments, Colorado earned a penalty, and Hawkins’ precision kicked them into the All Blues’ 22-meter line. The Gray Wolves’ lineout—unstoppable all day—once again proved to be the game-changer. Saher Hamdan sealed the match with a walk-off try, delivering the victory and the Legacy Cup trophy to Colorado.

See how to the entire Legacy Cup competition went here and the league season here.