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Who would win in a fight between a rattlesnake and a saber tooth tiger? Logically the big cat should have the advantage, but these are no ordinary Ratlers that are coiled and ready to strike on Saturday. Major League Rugby’s own version of animal kingdom comes alive at Silverbacks Park on Saturday afternoon.
It was Rugby ATL who emerged victorious in the only previous meeting with the SaberCats, earning a convincing win at Lupo Family Field last June. This is a very different Houston lineup however and though they were disappointed to lose against San Diego last week, they have proven their ability to stand toe-to-toe with the league’s best.
With no Willie Britz available this week Pote Human has moved Keni Nasoqeqe to the blindside flank and recalled Will Crawford to the second row. Set to debut as a replacement is Emmanuel Albert, the second overall choice in the 2021 Collegiate Draft who missed the opening weeks of the season with injury.
The backline remains unchanged as Jax Hidalgo’s outstanding form sees the academy product retaining his spot on the left wing. A 6-2 split on the bench sees Nick Boyer and Robbie Povey again asked to provide backup at every back position from scrumhalf to fullback.
Stephen Brett has made wholesale changes to the lineup that came up just short against New York. Seven starters continue but three are asked to switch positions as the Ratlers consider their options.
Alex Maughan plays loosehead prop for the first time this season with Marko Janse van Rensburg returning at hooker. South African arrival John-Roy Jenkinson is set to make his MLR debut at tighthead prop, with Justin Basson packing down behind him at lock. Vili Helu is in for Connor Cook on the blindside flank and Ross Deacon has shaken off injury to stay at No8.
Will Leonard is the only man who stays in place in the backs. Ryan Rees and Kurt Coleman are the new halfbacks with Joaquin de la Vega Mendia – typically a flyhalf or fullback – selected at outside center. It’s Martini Talapusi who is named at No15 with Te Rangatira Waitokia in on the right wing and Austin White moving across to the left side.
Set to make his club debut is Tiaan Erasmus, the hooker arriving at ATL from Houston during the offseason. Daemon Torres returns to the match day squad as loose forward cover with Eamonn Matthews proving scrumhalf backup on a bench that shows a conventional 5-3 split.
Mainly sunny and warm conditions are on the forecast which might play into ATL’s hands. Jenkinson’s debut will be keenly watched against a solid SaberCats scrum, and Christian Dyer will be itching to test de la Vega Mendía’s defensive qualities in the midfield. It’s worth noting this is Houston’s first trip out of Texas this season, which provides enough uncertainty to consider the home side favorites.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, noon Pacific, 2pm Central. The Rugby Network will stream worldwide with a delayed broadcast available on AT&T SportsNet Southwest.
RUGBY ATL
1 Alex Maughan, 2 Marko Janse van Rensburg, 3 John-Roy Jenkinson, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen, 6 Vili Helu, 7 Matt Heaton (capt.), 8 Ross Deacon, 9 Ryan Rees, 10 Kurt Coleman, 11 Austin White, 12 Will Leonard, 13 Joaquín de la Vega Mendía, 14 Te Rangatira Waitokia, 15 Martini Talapusi
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 Jonas Petrakopoulos, 18 John Sullivan, 19 Conor Keys, 20 Daemon Torres, 21 Eamonn Matthews, 22 Nolan Tuamoheloa, 23 Ryan Nell
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Nicolás Solveyra, 2 Dean Muir (capt.), 3 Aaron Mitchell, 4 Will Crawford, 5 Wynand Grassmann, 6 Danny Barrett, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe, 8 Jaco Bezuidenhout, 9 Dillon Smit, 10 David Coetzer, 11 Jax Hidalgo, 12 Matai Leuta, 13 Christian Dyer, 14 Kisi Unufe, 15 Marcos Moroni
Replacements: 16 Patrick Donovan, 17 Frikkie de Beer, 18 Pono Davis, 19 Gideon van Wyk, 20 Malon Al-Jiboori, 21 Robbie Povey, 22 Nick Boyer, 23 Emmanuel Albert
Date: Saturday, March 5
Venue: Silverbacks Park, Atlanta
Kickoff: 15:00 local (12:00 Pacific, 14:00 Central)
Referee: Damián Schneider (Argentina)
Assistants: Henrique Platais (Brazil) & Cisco Lopez (USA)
TMO: Amelia Luciano (USA)
Broadcasts: AT&T SportsNet Southwest (delayed), The Rugby Network
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2021-06-19 – Rugby ATL 33, Houston SaberCats 15 (Lupo Family Field)
