By Aaron Wilson
When the Houston SaberCats take the field Saturday night, there’s a lot on the line.
The stakes: first place in the Western Conference division,
The SaberCats are 8-4 overall with 42 points, one less than the visiting Utah Warriors, who have an identical record and lost to Houston previously this season.
A victory would propel the defending Western champion SaberCats back into first place in the division.
The backdrop: a raucous Rugby de Mayo atmosphere with special honorary captain and boxer Marlen Esparaza in the house at Houston SaberCats Stadium.
“It’s always good to play at home,” Pono Davis said. “It helps to have a home-field advantage with the crowd we can bring from Houston. Houston is a sports city. We always back each and celebrate. Good things will continue to happen and we’ll have success.”
The SaberCats were led last week by the return of leading scorer Davy Coetzer from a hamstring injury as they defeated the San Diego Legion.
Marno Redelinghuys had 17 tackles, 27 meters made and 20 ruck arrivals.
Dom Akina scored one try to go with his 96 meters and 12 carries.
Drew Wild had 265 kicking meters, 83 meters made and 10 carries.
The starting lineup for Saturday night’s match is comprised of Ezekiel Lindenmuth, Seth Smith, Pono Davis, Justin Basson, Nathan Den Hoedt, Redelinghuys, Johan Momsen, Sam Tuifua, Jay Renton, Coetzer, Juan Dee Oliver, Akina, Taulatasi Tasi, Drake Davis and Wild.
Drake Davis, a former LSU wide receiver, provided a boost with his size and athleticism and growing skills against the Legion.
“Just talking with Drake on the sideline and dapping him up, I told him that’s how you show America that football players can play rugby,” Pono Davis. “Football players can do this. He had a great game. Drake is really driven and a competitive athlete. That’s the kind of mentality we bring from football and that winning mindset.”
The SaberCats are determined to make a push for the Shield as they work to position themselves in the division.
They’ve been working on cutting down on penalties and playing with greater discipline.
“It’s not about me, the coach or one player, it’s everybody together: we not me,” coach Pote Human said. “We’re a family. The main thing is keeping the main thing the main thing.”
The SaberCats are hoping more and more fans come out to ‘Experience it Live’ and watch them play.
“We want them to come out and we want to entertain them and make them proud,” Human said. “That’s the reason why most of the guys are back. We’re Houston’s team.”
Den Hoedt is encouraged by the vibes surrounding a successful team hoping to win a championship and increase and enjoy more and more support from the community.
“All of the guys are buying in,” Den Hoedt said. “We obviously love when the stadium is packed. We hear them. It makes a big difference for us. I think with the brand of rugby Pote is bringing this season, I think it’s going to be really exciting and obviously build on what we did last season. Hopefully, those seats are filled. The boys love it when they’re there.”
