MLR Off-Season Update – Houston SaberCats

The Houston SaberCats have unveiled a streamlined squad of 33 senior players for the 2023 Major League Rugby season. It sees a significant amount of continuity from this past year but there are also some significant new additions in the pack and out wide.

Both of last season’s first choice props, Nico Solveyra, and JP Zeiss, have exited along with veteran hooker Diego Fortuny. Aaron Mitchell has opted to retire, and Will Crawford joins Fortuny at the American Raptors. Willie Britz has departed for Japan, while Jaco Bezuidenhout is left out though he has remained in Texas rehabilitating a long-term injury during the off-season.

Matai Leuta and Marcell Muller are also surprise absentees, with the latter turning out for Houston’s academy side Rugby HTX in the American Rugby Premiership. Marcos Moroni followed Zeiss to Dallas, while Maka Unufe has returned to the Eagles Sevens program full-time.

There are three prop reinforcements from New Zealand, including former Arrows tighthead Morgan Mitchell. Nathan Den Hoedt and Eagles star Hanco Germishuys sign on from LA, adding quality to the second and back row.

Ex-Austin standout Dom Akina adds speed to the backline along with MLR newcomers Vereniki Tikoisolomone and Drew Wild. Carlo de Nysschen joins Nick Boyer as a domestic option at scrumhalf, though the latter could also see time as a winger this season.

Overall it’s a strong group and one that can challenge for a playoff position. There are notable gaps, however, with just two senior hookers, two senior tightheads, and three centers. Pat Donovan and draft pick Brandon Karnes will start the season with HTX for now, while ex-Seawolves hooker Mike Brown is currently coaching the academy side.

The team has announced two preseason games, both to be played at AVEVA Stadium. NOLA Gold arrive on January 28 with the New England Free Jacks visiting on February 8.

Re-signed: Frikkie de Beer (LH), Alec McDonnell (LH), Dean Muir (HO), Axel Zapata (HO), Pono Davis (TH), Wynand Grassmann (LO), Siaosi Mahoni (LO), Marno Redelinghuys (LO), Keni Nasoqeqe (LO/N8), Emmanuel Albert (FL), Danny Barrett (FL), Malon Al-Jiboori (FL/N8), Gideon van Wyk (FL/N8), Dillon Smit (SH), Nick Boyer (SH/WI), Davey Coetzer (FH), Trace Bolstad (FH/FB), Kian Meadon (FH/FB), Robbie Povey (FH/FB), Christian Dyer (CE), Louritz van der Schyff (CE), Jax Hidalgo (WI), Gerrie Labuschagne (WI/FB), Zach Pangelinan (FB)

Collegiate Draft: Brandon Karnes (TH, Iowa State)

Dispersal Draft: Nathan Den Hoedt (LO, LA Giltinis), Hanco Germishuys (FL, LA Giltinis), Dom Akina (CE, Austin Gilgronis)

New Signings: Rob Cobb (LH, Waikato, NZ), Fatongia Paea (LH, North Harbour, NZ), Morgan Mitchell (TH, Southland, NZ), Carlo de Nysschen (SH, Dallas Jackals), Vereniki Tikoisolomone (WI, Taranaki, NZ), Drew Wild (FB, Manawatu, NZ)

Departures: Nicolás Solveyra (LH, Montauban, FR), Diego Fortuny (HO, American Raptors), Aaron Mitchell (TH, retired), Juan Pablo Zeiss (TH, Dallas Jackals), Will Crawford (LO, American Raptors), Willie Britz (FL/N8, Red Hurricanes, JP), Jaco Bezuidenhout (N8), Zachary Short (SH), Matai Leuta (CE/WI), Marcell Muller (WI), Maka Unufe (WI, USA Sevens), Marcos Moroni (WI/FB, Dallas Jackals)