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Houston have confirmed the signing of two players from Old Glory DC. Will Vakalahi and Simi Moala will suit up for the SaberCats in their preseason match against New England on Wednesday night.
Vakalahi is a USA u20 representative who was Old Glory’s second-ever signing in 2019. The 23-year-old is primarily a loosehead prop but can also play on the tighthead side. He missed the entirety of the 2021 season with a knee injury but returned to play six games in 2022.
Moala is Tongan-born and raised but US-eligible on residency. He is the younger brother of former USA Selects cap Pita Moala. A former collegiate football player, the 31-year-old is a powerful 230-pound (105kg) center who can also fill in on the wing if needed.
Meanwhile Old Glory have announced a signing of their own. Gardy Lebon is an active US Marine who will combine his rugby training with military service. The 27-year-old has been signed as a scrumhalf. He earned Collegiate All-American honors at the position in 2017 while playing for the Naval Academy, and in 2018 was recognized again as a center.
DC have also confirmed their on-field leadership for the new season. US Eagles starter Jamason Fa’anana-Schultz has taken over the captaincy from Danny Tusitala. Acting as vice-captain this season will be former England u20 lock Stan South.
New England have formally confirmed the addition of outside back Willis Goodwin to their senior squad. A standout with the Chicago Lions, the 23-year-old traveled with the USA Falcons to Montevideo in the fall. He is equally comfortable at wing or fullback.
🐎//🚨 Player Spotlight — Willis Goodwin
Coming from The Chicago Lions and @USARugby Selects, the young outside back has been grinding through preseason and is ready to take on the @Hou_Sabercats tomorrow#LetsRide #MLR2023 pic.twitter.com/IZGQdZQWIL
— New England Free Jacks (@NEFreeJacks) February 8, 2023
There are two preseason engagements scheduled for Wednesday night. The Seawolves will play a controlled scrimmage against Seattle Rugby Club, while the Free Jacks will run out against the SaberCats at AVEVA Stadium.
There will be a live stream available for the Houston match in the SaberCats YouTube channel. Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 5pm Pacific, 8pm Eastern. Both teams have named their lineups, as seen below.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Alec McDonnell, 2 Axel Zapata, 3 Morgan Mitchell, 4 Siaosi Mahoni, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt, 6 Wynand Grassmann, 7 Danny Barrett, 8 Hanco Germishuys, 9 Carlo de Nysschen, 10 Davy Coetzer, 11 Gerrie Labuschagne, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 13 Dom Akina, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Drew Wild
Replacements: Dean Muir, Rob Cobb, Will Vakalahi, Pono Davis, Frikkie de Beer, Marno Redelinghuys, Keni Nasoqeqe, Malon Al-Jiboori, Gideon van Wyk, Nick Boyer, Robbie Povey, Simi Moala, Zach Pangelinan, Vereniki Tikoisolomone, Kian Meadon
NEW ENGLAND FREE JACKS
1 Kyle Ciquera, 2 Mills Sanerivi, 3 Tevita Sole, 4 Josh Larsen (capt.), 5 Reegan O’Gorman, 6 Sam Fischli, 7 Mitch Jacobson, 8 Wian Conradie, 9 John Poland, 10 Reece MacDonald, 11 Paula Balekana, 12 Wayne van der Bank, 13 Ben LeSage, 14 Zach Bastres, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: Andrew Quattrin, Kianu Kereru-Symes, Foster DeWitt, Cole Keith, Conor Young, Conor Keys, Semisi Paea, Ethan Fryer, Joe Johnston, Cam Davidowicz, Holden Yungert, Kieran McClea, Spencer Jones, Taniela Filimone, Willis Goodwin
