New Zealand flanker Slade McDowall played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2023. He represented the New England Free Jacks for his entire MLR career.

McDowall’s signing was announced by the Free Jacks in December 2021 from Otago, whom he had played with since 2017. He proved a formidable tackler during his debut MLR season, finishing 4th in the league with 232 successful tackles in 2022. After returning to New Zealand following the 2022 season, the Free Jacks announced McDowall’s re-signing in late March 2023, joining New England part way through their 2023 Shield winning season.

As of the conclusion of the 2023 season, McDowall has earned 20 MLR caps (17 starts) and scored 10 tries in total including 8 in the 2022 season, when he finished T-7th league-wide.

On 20th July 2023, McDowall was announced in a Pre-season squad for the Manawatu Turbos in his native New Zealand, and did not return to MLR. He has since been announced as returning for the Turbos for their 2024 season.

Achievements

• 2023 MLR Champion (NE Free Jacks)
• 4th in MLR Tackling: 2022 (232)
• 7th in MLR Try Scoring: 2022 (8)
• MLR Team of the Week: 2023 – Week 15
• MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Week 8
• MLR Team of the Week: 2022 – Week 6