Americas Rugby News Rugby news from across the Americas!
It’s an all-Texas derby at Dyer Stadium on Saturday when the Houston SaberCats host Austin Elite to kick off Week 2 of the Major League Rugby regular season. For both teams it’s also a chance for a reboot, with each tasting defeat in their season opener last weekend.
The SaberCats were solid favorites heading into their match against NOLA but came up short in a disjointed game littered with penalties and inaccuracy. If they intend on reaching the lofty heights envisioned they’ll need an immediate response against their cross-state rivals.
Four changes have been made to the starting side, three in the forwards. Estevan Florez comes in for Jake Turnbull at loosehead prop and Justin Allen rotates with Robert Meeson at lock. Chris Coyle is handed a start on the openside with Cecil Garber bumped to the bench. Pago Haini is set to make his first MLR apperance as an impact sub and Jack Riley shows his versatility by covering tighthead prop.
With no Zach Pangelinan this week it’s Malacchi Esdale’s turn to start. He starts at outside center and Osea Kolinisau takes over the vacant fullback position. Former New England Patriots fullback Joey Iosefa trades the NFL for MLR and will be keen to make a good first impression as a midfield replacement.
Austin showed glimpses of potential against Glendale but were ultimately outclassed at Infinity Park on Saturday. They have been forced into three changes after suffering some injuries in Colorado.
It’s not good news as Pedrie Wannenburg, Michael Reid, and Roland Suniula are all out. Hanco Germishuys moves to No8 and Ross Deacon comes in at openside flank. Taking the vacant reserve loose forward spot is Junior Naruma wearing jersey No23.
New arrival Marcus Walsh steps straight into the starting scrumhalf role. Sani Taylor switches from wing to outside center and Sione Fangaiuiha fills the vacancy. Former Munster academy center Ned Hodson gets his first crack at an Austin jersey as one of the reserves.
Neither team looked particularly convincing in their first game but of the two, the SaberCats were more competitive. The loss of three key players is a hammer blow to Austin who were already under duress. Despite his class Walsh will have to adjust to a new game plan in record time and in hostile territory.
Up front the scrum leans towards the SaberCats with Adam Macklin against Chris Schade a mismatch on paper. The lineout is very much a clash of the titans with four players standing at 6’7″ (2.00m) or taller. Houston’s back row looks to have better balance and Esdale is an exciting talent with an early opportunity to show his class.
The Cats misfired against New Orleans but with a big crowd expected and sunny skies on the forecast, there’s a feeling they’ll be up for this one. Look for Austin to hold on through sheer force of Hanco’s will, but their coastal cousins should be a step ahead at the final whistle.
Kickoff is set for 2:30pm local time, 12:30pm Pacific, 3:30pm Eastern. Those in the USA can watch on AT&T SportsNet or ESPN+. Those in Canada and all other international viewers can access a live stream on the official Major League Rugby Facebook page.
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Estevan Florez, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Adam Macklin, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Justin Allen, 6 Kyle Sumsion (capt.), 7 Chris Coyle, 8 Matt Trouville, 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Alex Elkins, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Malacchi Esdale, 14 Josua Vici, 15 Osea Kolinisau
Replacements: 16 Diego Maquieira, 17 Petey Hepburn, 18 Jack Riley, 19 Robert Meeson, 20 Pago Haini, 21 Cecil Garber, 22 Dan Paul, 23 Joey Iosefa
AUSTIN ELITE
1 Chris Schade, 2 Mike Brown, 3 Mason Pedersen, 4 Ben Mitchell, 5 Victor Comptat, 6 Kyle Breytenbach, 7 Ross Deacon, 8 Hanco Germishuys, 9 Marcus Walsh, 10 Timothée Guillimin, 11 Sione Fangaiuiha, 12 Andrew Suniula (capt.), 13 Sani Taylor, 14 Reece Czarnecki, 15 Zac Mizell
Replacements: 16 David LeMasters, 17 Siaosi Finau, 18 Robert Drummond, 19 Todd Clever, 20 Ned Hodson, 21 Knute O’Donnell, 22 Alex Faison-Donahoe, 23 Junior Naruma
Date: Saturday, April 28
Venue: Dyer Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 14:30 local (12:30 Pacific, 15:30 Eastern)
Referee: Derek Summers (USAR)
Assistants: Phil Akroyd (USAR) & Tim O’Gara (USAR)
Broadcasts: AT&T SportsNet, ESPN+, Facebook
