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We’re only just reaching the halfway point of the season but Saturday’s game in Houston might be considered a must-win game for both the SaberCats and the visiting Toronto Arrows. Though they are likely out of the Semi Final running, the Cats need to prevent slipping further away from an even record. The Arrows need points to keep their playoff hopes alive.
This is their fourth meeting in Major League Rugby with the Arrows winning all three to date. Last season’s game went right down to the wire in Las Vegas. The two sides also drew in an exhibition match in 2018 when the Arrows were still flying under the Ontario banner.
Both are coming off defeats in Week 8. Houston came up just short against the Gold in New Orleans last Saturday. It’s been three straight losses since their win over San Diego. They have been competitive in each but the string of ‘almosts’ only serves to build frustration.
The injury list grows this week with the addition of Tiaan Erasmus and Lucas Albornoz, while Kody O’Neil also misses out. It leaves academy call-up Patrick Donovan as the only fit hooker with Apisai Tauyavuca switching from flank to lock to partner Van Stewart.
Adriaan Booysen comes in at No8 with Diego Magno moving to the flank, and it’s a straight swap at tighthead prop with Charlie Connolly rotating in for Nikoloz Khatiashvili. Liam Murray and Nik Hildebrand are the other front row subs and it’s unclear who would cover for Donovan in the case of injury.
There is one personnel change in the backs along with some reshuffling. Veramu Dikidikilati is fit to resume at outside center. Joe Thomas bumps in one spot with Robbie Povey restored at flyhalf. Sam Windsor will run out at fullback this week with Taylor Howden on the bench.
Toronto are hurting after eight straight weeks of games, with this the last before their bye. Against the Ratlers in Marietta they were agonizingly short of victory, with a mistake in the 79th minute costing them a win and three points. Chris Silverthorn has opted to freshen up the lineup as a result.
Andrew Quattrin is the only tight five starter retained with Pat Lynott and Tyler Rowland coming in at loosehead and tighthead prop respectively. The new second row pairing is Adrian Wadden and Paul Ciulini, with Mike Sheppard moving to the bench.
In the backs there is a first MLR start for Will Kelly at flyhalf with Tayler Adams rested completely. Spencer Jones starts at inside center, his first start since 2019. Patrick Parfrey switches to fullback with Gastón Mieres on the wing and Leandro Leivas the odd man out.
The Arrows have struggled with consistency this season and are in need of a rest but will have to front up for one more week. Houston, however, has thus far proved a welcoming environment. As the SaberCats themselves struggle to find form and fitness, there is a chance for Toronto to come away from AVEVA Stadium with the win they so desperately need.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Those in Canada can watch on TSN 2, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide. A delayed broadcast will be available on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Nicolás Solveyra, 2 Patrick Donovan, 3 Charlie Connolly, 4 Van Stewart, 5 Apisai Tauyavuca, 6 Cecil Garber, 7 Diego Magno, 8 Adriaan Booysen, 9 Nick Boyer, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Joe Thomas, 13 Veramu Dikidikilati, 14 Jake Hidalgo, 15 Sam Windsor (capt.)
Replacements: 16 Liam Murray, 17 Nik Hildebrand, 18 Nikoloz Khatiashvili, 19 Jérémy Lenaerts, 20 Bronson Teles, 21 Zachary Short, 22 Taylor Howden, 23 Zack Godfrey
TORONTO ARROWS
1 Pat Lynott, 2 Andrew Quattrin, 3 Tyler Rowland, 4 Adrian Wadden, 5 Paul Ciulini, 6 Tomás de la Vega, 7 Lucas Rumball (co-capt.), 8 Manuel Diana, 9 Ross Braude, 10 Will Kelly, 11 Gastón Mieres, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Ben LeSage (co-capt.), 14 Manuel Montero, 15 Patrick Parfrey
Replacements: 16 Cole Keith, 17 Jack McRogers, 18 Gastón Cortes, 19 Kolby Francis, 20 Mike Sheppard, 21 Andrew Ferguson, 22 Guiseppe du Toit, 23 Mitch Richardson
Date: Saturday, May 15
Venue: AVEVA Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Referee:
Assistants:
Broadcasts: AT&T SportsNet Southwest (24hr delay), The Rugby Network, TSN 2
Historical Results
2020-02-16 – Toronto Arrows 27, Houston SaberCats 22 (Sam Boyd Stadium)
2019-04-21 – Toronto Arrows 35, Houston SaberCats 21 (York Alumni Field)
2019-02-22 – Houston SaberCats 27, Toronto Arrows 44 (Constellation Field)
