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It’s a classic Texas derby in Houston on Saturday night where the SaberCats welcome the Jackals in what will be a preview, of sorts, to their Western Conference Semi Final slated at the same venue on July 20. Houston have already locked up top spot and Dallas cannot improve their position of 4th seed, so it’s only bragging rights that are on offer this week.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
13-2-0 (L1) West 1st
6-9-0 (L2) West 4th
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
1 Rob Cobb replaces Ezekiel Lindenmuth
5 Johan Momsen replaces Nathan Den Hoedt
6 Marno Redelinghuys replaces Emmanuel Albert
8 Ronan Murphy replaces Gideon van Wyk
9 André Warner replaces Jay Renton
13 Tautalatasi Tasi replaces Louritz van der Schyff
15 Davy Coetzer replaces Drew Wild
1 Liam Murray replaces Connor Grindal
2 Tomás Bekerman replaces Dewald Kotze
3 Franco Palillo replaces Juan Pablo Zeiss
4 Lucas Bur replaces Ronan Foley (No6 vs Utah)
8 Marques Fuala’au replaces Sam Tuifua
9 Juan-Dee Oliver replaces Pedro Imhoff
11 Nic Benn replaces Mitch Richardson (No13 vs Utah)
14 Jason Tidwell replaces Marcell Muller
15 Tomás Malanos replaces Nazareno Valentini
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(2) – Alatimu (Samoa), Dyer (USA)
(3) – Murray, Steeves (Canada), Golla (USA)
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Ezekiel Lindenmuth (LH), Maks van Dyk (TH), Nathan Den Hoedt (LO), Drew Wild (FB)
– Juan Pablo Zeiss (TH), Makeen Alikhan (FL), Ronan Foley (FL/N8), Sam Tuifua (N8), Martín Elías (FH), Mitch Richardson (CE)
| NOTES |
- the SaberCats will rest both of their first choice props – Ezekiel Lindenmuth and Maks van Dyk – to ensure their fitness for the postseason… with regular captain Nathan Den Hoedt also left out
- Marno Redelinghuys gets his first run since mid-May on the flank, with Ronan Murphy coming back in at No8… Drake Davis is named as a reserve loose forward… the 6’4″ (1.93m) American football convert appeared once as a replacement winger earlier in the campaign
- Davy Coetzer again lines up at fullback with AJ Alatimu continuing at flyhalf… it’s unclear what direction Houston will take in the playoffs with regular fullback Drew Wild also in the mix
- Dallas have shifted captain Sam Golla to the flank with Lucas Bur returning at lock… it’s just the second time Golla has started in the back row for Dallas… Marques Fuala’au gets a first run at No8 with his only other start on the flank
- it’s the first Jackals lineup of the season that doesn’t feature Mitch Richardson in the No13 shirt… the Canadian international is rested ahead of the upcoming test window
| PREDICTION |
Blazing hot temperatures are expected at game time with stifling humidity on the forecast. That should make handling difficult and will see subs entering the game early in the second half. The Jackals are fielding a mix-and-match lineup against a SaberCats side that is closer to full strength. Dallas have never beaten their neighbors and are unlikely to do so on Saturday. Houston are clear favorites at home.
| LINEUPS |
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Rob Cobb, 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Johan Momsen (capt.), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe, 8 Ronan Murphy, 9 André Warner, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Jeremy Misailegalu, 12 Sam Hill, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Davy Coetzer
Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 LaRome White, 18 Val Lee-Lo, 19 Emmanuel Albert, 20 Drake Davis, 21 Carlo de Nysschen, 22 Max Schumacher, 23 Line Latu
DALLAS JACKALS
1 Liam Murray, 2 Tomás Bekerman, 3 Franco Palillo, 4 Lucas Bur, 5 Javon Camp, 6 Sam Golla (capt.), 7 Ben Fry, 8 Marques Fuala’au, 9 Juan-Dee Oliver, 10 Connor Winchester, 11 Nic Benn, 12 Tomás Cubilla, 13 Manuel Covella, 14 Jason Tidwell, 15 Tomás Malanos
Replacements: 16 Joaquín Horcada, 17 Dewald Kotze, 18 Kyle Steeves, 19 Kyle Breytenbach, 20 Jerónimo Gómez Vara, 21 Brock Gallagher, 22 Ronnie McElligott, 23 Joeli Tikoisuva
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, June 29
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 19:00 local (17:00 Pacific, 20:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 88°F (31°C), humidex 97°F (36°C), wind SE 14-22mph (22-35km/h)
Broadcasts: Space City, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Luke Rogan (USA)
Assistants: Jacob Gonzales (USA) & Jono Cooper (USA)
TMO: Derek Summers (USA)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (5) – Houston 5, Dallas 0
2024-03-29 – Dallas Jackals 27, Houston SaberCats 30 (Choctaw Stadium)
2023-04-15 – Houston SaberCats 33, Dallas Jackals 21 (SaberCats Stadium)
2023-02-19 – Dallas Jackals 12, Houston SaberCats 33 (Choctaw Stadium)
2022-04-09 – Houston SaberCats 31, Dallas Jackals 6 (SaberCats Stadium)
2022-02-19 – Dallas Jackals 33, Houston SaberCats 38 (Choctaw Stadium)
