The Houston SaberCats have acquired the rights to former LA Giltinis lock Nathan Den Hoedt. He had been picked up by Chicago in the Expansion Draft, but is instead set to play in Texas with the Hounds receiving salary cap considerations in exchange.
Den Hoedt has been among Major League Rugby’s most consistent performers in the second row since arriving from Australia ahead of the 2021 campaign. In his two seasons with LA he was an ever-present in the lineup, appearing in 32 games with all but three starts.
Nicknamed ‘Moose’, the 25-year-old stands 6’6″ (1.99m) tall and has the athleticism to play on the blindside flank if needed. The SaberCats are yet to confirm the majority of their roster but lock options should include returning trio Siaosi Mahoni, Keni Nasoqeqe, and Will Crawford. Nasoqeqe and Mahoni were in the USA squad for the recent World Cup Qualifiers though the former remains uncapped.