By Aaron Wilson
When the Houston SaberCats and the New England Free Jacks square off in the pitch Saturday afternoon, their talent, willpower and styles of play will intersect.
With everything on the line, the Shield of Major League Rugby, it’s a championship proving ground.
The better rugby team will emerge victorious.
For the SaberCats, the Western Conference winners after beating the Utah Warriors in the conference finals, it’s a strategy built on opportunistic defense, physicality in the scrum and speed on the perimeter.
Their leading scorer is fly half AJ Alatimu and their leading tackler is team captain Johan Momsen.
For the Free Jacks, the two-time defending champions playing close to their headquarters in Quincy, Massachusetts with a large partisan crowd anticipated for this title match at Centreville Bank Stadium in Pawtucket, Rhode Island, they have a strong all-around side led by top scorer Paula Balekana and leading tackler Joe Johnston.
The commonality of the two squads will be on display Saturday at 2 p.m. on ESPN2.
“We play a similar style, so it’s going to be a big battle,” SaberCats team captain Nathan Den Hoedt said. “We know that they’re a really good side. We know we just need to be focusing on ourselves. If we can execute what we do well, I believe we can get the win.”
The starting lineup for the SaberCats is set:
Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Pita Anae-Ah Sue, Pono Davis, Justin Basson, Den Hoedt, Momsen, Emmanuel Albert, Marno Redelinghuys, Andre Warner, Alatimu, Drake Davis, Sam Hill, Tautatalasi Tasi, Rufus McLean and Max Schumacher, plus reserves Seth Smith, Wilton Rebolo, Michael Scott, Javon Camp-Villalovos, Keni Nasoqeqe, Louritz Van Der Schyff, Jay Renton and Dom Akina.
The Free Jacks will go with Malakai Hala-Ngatai, Andrew Quattrin, Jone Koroiduadua, Piers Von Dadelszen, Sam Caird, Jed Melvin, Johnston, Wian Conradie, Cam Nordli-Kelemeti, Dan Hollinshead, Balekana, Le Roux Malan, Ben Lesage, Simon-Peter Toleafoa, Brock Webster, plus reserves Foster Hewitt, Kyle Ciquera, Kaleb Geiger, Josh Larsen, Ethan Fryer, Oscar Lennon, Wayne Van Der Bank and Harrison Boyle.
“I think it’s pretty obvious the last two or three years they have probably been the team to beat,” Den Hoedt said. “I think one thing they’ve done is retained a similar side for multiple years. They have a great kicking game, great set piece. So, we know we need to nullify those things in order to get the win.”
The SaberCats have endured a lot over the past four years.
They didn’t win their first playoff game until this year, losing in the opening round each of the previous three seasons.
They have lost key players to season-ending injuries this season.
Through it all, they’ve leaned on each other and veteran coach Pote Human to keep their spirits high and have maintained a standard of play and professionalism.
“We’ve had our ups and downs this season,” Momsen said. “We’ve had some terrible losses. We’ve had some really good wins, but we’ve learned through all of our setbacks. We’re prepared and we’re really just enjoying being here together.”
