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The Houston SaberCats play host to the Chicago Hounds on Saturday in a match with significant implications in the Western Conference playoff race. While the visitors are not in the mix, the home side need a big win to keep the pressure on Utah for the third and final spot in the postseason.
While the Cats managed to salvage two bonus points out of their trip to Zions Bank Stadium last Saturday, the defeat against the Warriors left the two sides level on competitions points. Both teams have four matches left to prove they belong in the top three.
They’ll have to get the job done without two key starters this week. Injuries have knocked out Morgan Mitchell and Davy Coetzer. It’s a first Major League Rugby start for Pono Davis at tighthead prop, with Val Lee-Lo set to see his first action in over two years as a replacement. Robbie Povey steps in at flyhalf. Axel Zapata returns from suspension on the bench, where Gerrie Labuschagne is also included as one of two back replacements along with Carlo de Nysschen.
Chicago did not enjoy their trip to Seattle last weekend and have now dropped eight games in a row. Sam Harris will be hoping for more from his pack with four changes up front and one in the backline.
The entire front row is swapped out with George Thornton, Lindsey Stevens, and Paddy Ryan getting the start. John Cullen is recalled at lock with Mike Matarazzo switching to the blindside flank and Michael de Waal dropping to the bench. There are four props among the reserves this week with Charlie Abel asked to cover hooker and Fred Apulu an option at lock if needed.
It’s same again in the backline with the exception of scrumhalf. Sidney Shoop’s run of three straight starts comes to an end with Sean Yacoubian given his third opportunity to wear the No9 shirt. Michael Baska continues to settle for a reserve role, one of two back reserves along with JP Eloff.
Typical Texas weather is on the forecast which will see both teams dipping into the forward reserves midway through the second half. Houston are clearly the better side and were comfortable winners when the two sides met at SeatGeek Stadium in April. Expect the Cats to deliver a more enthusiastic performance than last week with another bonus point win over the outmatched Hounds.
Kickoff is set for 7pm local time, 8pm Eastern, 5pm Pacific. Local broadcasts will be available on AT&T SportsNet Southwest in Houston and the Marquee Sports Network in Chicago, with The Rugby Network streaming worldwide.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Rob Cobb, 2 Joe Taufete’e, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Marno Redelinghuys, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.), 6 Malon Al-Jiboori, 7 Wynand Grassmann, 8 Gideon van Wyk, 9 Dillon Smit, 10 Robbie Povey, 11 Vereniki Tikoisolomone, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 13 Dom Akina, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Drew Wild
Replacements: 16 Axel Zapata, 17 Alec McDonnell, 18 Valdemar Lee-Lo, 19 Keni Nasoqeqe, 20 Danny Barrett, 21 Carlo de Nysschen, 22 Gerrie Labuschagne, 23 Emmanuel Albert
CHICAGO HOUNDS
1 George Thornton, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Paddy Ryan, 4 John Cullen, 5 Cam Dodson, 6 Mike Matarazzo, 7 Maclean Jones, 8 Luke White, 9 Sean Yacoubian, 10 Luke Carty, 11 Julián Domínguez, 12 Billy Meakes, 13 Bryce Campbell (capt.), 14 Matai Leuta, 15 Chris Mattina
Replacements: 16 Charlie Abel, 17 Fred Apulu, 18 Mika Felix, 19 LaRome White, 20 Tinashe Muchena, 21 Michael de Waal, 22 Michael Baska, 23 JP Eloff
Date: Saturday, May 27
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: AT&T SportsNet Southwest, Marquee Sports, The Rugby Network
Referee: Kahlil Harrison (USA)
Assistants: Jono Cooper (USA) & Brian Dusablon (USA)
TMO: Austin Reed (USA)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2023-04-02 – Chicago Hounds 21, Houston SaberCats 38 (SeatGeek Stadium)
