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A first franchise victory has narrowly eluded Anthem in their past two matches, but in the SaberCats they face a Western Conference contender riding a three-game win streak. Both teams enter off bye weeks with the SaberCats taking a further opportunity to rotate and rest some of their senior players.
| CURRENT STANDINGS |
0-4-0 (L4) East 6th
3-1-0 (W3) West 3rd
| STARTING LINEUP CHANGES |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Dan Hanson | Jake Turnbull |
| 2 | Alex Maughan | Connor Robinson |
| 3 | Joe Apikotoa | Alex Maughan |
| 5 | Sam Golla | Mikey Grandy |
| 6 | Alby O’Shannessey | Sam Golla |
| 8 | Dylan Fortune | Michael Ma’afu |
| 13 | Erich Storti | Watson Filikitonga |
| 15 | Mitch Wilson | Line Latu |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Ezekiel Lindenmuth | Valdemar Lee-Lo |
| 4 | Javon Camp | Nathan Den Hoedt |
| 5 | Justin Basson | Johan Momsen |
| 7 | Keni Nasoqeqe | Marno Redelinghuys |
| 8 | Ronan Murphy | Sam Tuifua |
| 9 | Juan-Dee Oliver | Jay Renton |
| 10 | AJ Alatimu | Davy Coetzer |
| 11 | Seimou Smith | Drew Wild |
| 12 | Sam Hill | Tautalatasi Tasi |
| 14 | Jeremy Misailegalu | Rufus McLean |
| CAPPED INTERNATIONALS |
(8) – Maughan, Golla, Storti, Mooneyham, Wilson, Turnbull (USA), Apikotoa (Tonga), Loubser (Namibia)
(3) – Lindenmuth, Alatimu (Samoa), Davis (USA)
| CLUB DEBUTS |
(0) – none
(1) – Muchena
| NOTABLE ABSENTEES |
– Declan Moore (HO), Mikey Grandy (LO), Toby Fricker (WI/FB)
– Wilton Rebolo (HO/PR), Nathan Den Hoedt (LO), Rufus McLean (WI/FB)
| PREDICTION |
Anthem have revitalised their pack with Alex Maughan switching to hooker and a quicker back row trio set to start. The return of Eagles duo Erich Storti and Mitch Wilson to the backline also adds a touch of class. Their guests, however, are a well-oiled outfit who despite changing two-thirds of their starting lineup remain an imposing challenge. Houston are clear favorites on the road.
| LINEUPS |
ANTHEM CAROLINA
1 Dan Hanson, 2 Alex Maughan, 3 Joe Apikotoa, 4 Puna Vuli, 5 Sam Golla (capt.), 6 Alby O’Shannessey, 7 Makeen Alikhan, 8 Dylan Fortune, 9 Karl Keane, 10 Cliven Loubser, 11 Jason Tidwell, 12 Junior Gafa, 13 Erich Storti, 14 Conner Mooneyham, 15 Mitch Wilson
Replacements: 16 Ethan Howard, 17 Jake Turnbull, 18 Stephan Bernal-Wendt, 19 Alejandro Martinez Tapia, 20 Colin Turner, 21 Ishy Safodien, 22 Mateo Gadsden, 23 Line Latu
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Seth Smith, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Javon Camp, 5 Justin Basson, 6 Emmanuel Albert, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe, 8 Ronan Murphy, 9 Juan-Dee Oliver, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Seimou Smith, 12 Sam Hill, 13 Louritz van der Schyff, 14 Jeremy Misailegalu, 15 Max Schumacher
Replacements: 16 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 17 LaRome White, 18 Michael Scott, 19 Johan Momsen, 20 Tinashe Muchena, 21 Marno Redelinghuys, 22 Jay Renton, 23 Davy Coetzer
| MATCH INFO |
Date: Saturday, March 22
Venue: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte
Kickoff: 19:00 local (16:00 Pacific, 18:00 Central)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 66°F (19°C), wind NW 12-17mph (19-27km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, CW39, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network
| OFFICIALS |
Referee: Kahlil Harrison (USA)
Assistants: Lex Weiner (USA) & Ian Seaton (USA)
TMO: Cam Russell (Canada)
| HISTORY |
HEAD-TO-HEAD (1) – Houston 1, Carolina 0
2024-05-10 – Anthem Carolina 15, Houston SaberCats 38 (American Legion Stadium)
