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The Houston SaberCats started MLR 2022 with an upset win over the 2021 champions the LA Giltinis. The 21-11 win saw the Texan side in control of possession throughout but not the scoreboard until late in the contest. The win came with two second half tries and an overall differential of three tries to one.
Tight running defense saw no spaces opening up in the early exchanges. Points did nonetheless come as the LA Giltinis were awarded a kickable penalty. Luke Burton made no mistake with his attempt.
Tensions were running high; players from both teams were pushing opponents. The first skirmish was followed by the LA Giltinis making a break from the first scrum of the contest. It finished with Eagle Hanco Germishuys scoring on debut for his new MLR team.
The SaberCats got three points back to end the opening quarter 8-3. The kick from Kian Meadon came after encouraging raids from Houston who had been very close to scoring a try.
Points appeared inevitable when two Giltinis were yellow carded four minutes apart. This saw the Californians playing with 13 men from the 28th to the 34th minute. The Los Angeles Giltinis were in their own territory throughout the period but, amazingly, came away without conceding a point.
Houston turned down a regulation shot at goal to kick for the corner. The lineout was not successful though they had an additional opportunity minutes later. LA was able to again hold out to see the scores remaining 8-3 at half-time.
The Giltinis defense had proven to be insurmountable in the first half. Breaking it would require some form of a surprise. It came with Gerrie Labuschagne reading the LA offense to intercept a pass and run from inside his own half to touch down in the try zone. With it, and the missed conversion, the teams were brought level in the 43rd minute.
The SaberCats did not handle the kick-off well. As a result, LA had a gift shot at goal to reclaim the lead. Burton’s kick was on target and LA were 11-8 ahead.
Just like in the first half, Houston had territory and possession with Los Angeles holding firm. It again led to penalties with Angus Cottrell becoming the third Giltinis player to be yellow carded in the match. His 56th minute carding was followed by Houston continuing to look to outmuscle the Giltinis. A try came with Nicolás Solveyra assisting Dean Muir into the try zone.
Houston followed it up with a third try. Rare quick ball saw Willie Britz into the try zone. The conversion attempt was on target but short. The miss meant it was a 7 point gap between the teams with thirteen minutes of the match remaining.
The SaberCats will remain in Houston for week two. They play host to Rugby New York next Saturday, February 12. The LA Giltinis will play their first international MLR match; they take on the Toronto Arrows in Langford on Friday, February 11.
SCORING
HOUSTON 21
Tries – G. Labuschagne (42′), D. Muir (62′), W. Britz (66′)
Cons – K. Meadon 0/2, D. Coetzer 0/1
Pens – K. Meadon 1/1 (15′), D. Coetzer 1/1 (76′)
DGs – D. Smit 0/1
LA 11
Tries – H. Germishuys (8′)
Cons – L. Burton 0/1
Pens – L. Burton 2/2 (5′, 47′)
YC – R. James (25′), S. McNulty (28′), A. Cottrell (56′)
TEAMS
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Nicolás Solveyra (17 Frikkie de Beer 67′), 2 Dean Muir (capt.), 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss (18 Aaron Mitchell 67′), 4 Wynand Grassmann (22 Danny Barrett 64′), 5 Siaosi Mahoni (19 Will Crawford 47′), 6 Keni Nasoqeqe (21 Malon Al-Jiboori 64′), 7 Willie Britz, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, 9 Dillon Smit, 10 David Coetzer, 11 Nick Boyer, 12 Matai Leuta, 13 Christian Dyer, 14 Gerrie Labuschagne, 15 Kian Meadon (23 Jax Hidalgo 64′)
Not used: 16 Patrick Donovan, 21 Robbie Povey
LA GILTINIS
1 Djustice Sears-Duru (17 Les Leulua’iali’i-Makin 57′), 2 Sean McNulty (18 Andrew Tuala 51′), 3 Charlie Abel (16 Marco Fepulea’i 57′), 4 Dave Dennis (capt.), 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (19 Luke White 64′), 6 Angus Cottrell (20 Corey Thomas 67′), 7 Christian Poidevin (18 Andrew Tuala 28′-38′), 8 Hanco Germishuys, 9 Harrison Goddard, 10 Luke Burton, 11 Ryan James (22 Will Chambers 51′), 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 John Ryberg, 15 Jordan Trainor
Not used: 21 Tas Smith, 23 Cristian Rodriguez
MATCH OFFICIALS
Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
Assistants: Kat Roche (USA) & De Wet Roos (USA)
TMO: Kahlil Harrison (USA)
