By Aaron Wilson
One day after lightning and driving rainstorms delayed their match, the Houston SaberCats made history Monday night against Rugby Football Club Los Angeles.
For the first time in franchise history, the SaberCats earned a playoff victory.
The SaberCats delivered a dramatic 27-21 comeback win in the semifinals that boosts them into the Western Conference finals Saturday night against the Utah Warriors on the road for an 8 p.m. ESPN2 match.
The SaberCats had gone 0-3 in the playoffs in the previous three years, including a loss to the Dallas Jackals last year in the semifinals after a 14-2 regular season. Now, they advance to the next round as they chase the Major League Rugby Shield.
“It’s a great feeling,” Seth Smith said. “To do this in front of our fans, it’s a great feeling. I think it came down to who wanted it more, and we wanted it bad.”
Down 14-12 at halftime, the SaberCats regained the lead in the second half and held on as Pita Anae-Ah Sue scored a pair of tries. The SaberCats set an ultra-physical tone throughout the match.
A crisp pass from A.J. Alatimu across the field set up Rufus McLean for an early try that got the scoring barrage started for the SaberCats.
“We got things started,” McLean said. “A.J. gave it a great kick on the top. That was cool. That was completely A.J.’s imagination. He saw the space and I jumped in there. I was very aware they had a defender coming across, so I didn’t want to be tackled.
“We’ve been focusing on this game. We know it’s knock-out rugby, so every point counts. This was a massive game for us. I loved it, especially being at home in front of our fans.”
After a Reece McDonald try and Christian Lealiifano conversion gave Los Angeles a two-point halftime edge, the SaberCats took back control in the second half.
Alatimu scored on a penalty goal after MacDonald was flagged for tackling Max Schumacher.
A raucous crowd filled up Houston SaberCats Stadium one day after inclement weather postponed the playoff match.
“We really appreciate all the support,” Johan Momsen said. “The game got pushed back. Fans made a plan and still came out. Hell of a game, came from behind in the second half. We could really feel the energy. The people that were here, thank you so much. Brilliant effort from the boys. Now, it’s on to Utah.
“I think the conditions definitely played in our favor. We put a lot of pressure on them. We scrummed well and we mauled well. I think that’s what won us the game.”
Anae-Ah Sue led the SaberCats with 10 points, followed by seven for Alatimu and tries for Schumacher and McLean.
Momsen had a team-high 26 tackles, three more than Marno Redelinghuys and 21 for Emmanuel Albert.
Albert has been with the SaberCats for four seasons.
That included enduring the pain and frustration of falling short in the postseason so many times previously.
“It’s always good to win a playoff game,” Albert said. “This is the first time, so it feels really good. It feels amazing, just to give back to the city and the owners of the team and the team in general.”
The SaberCats, led by veteran coach Pote Human, are two wins away from claiming the championship mantle.
“That’s definitely the dream,” Albert said. “Everybody has put blood, sweat and tears into this for the last four years, working hard for the team, for the boys for coach especially. He puts his heart on the line for us every day.”
Team captain Nathan Den Hoedt reflected on the history-making moment.
“Proud of the boys, we were resilient for the last two days,” he said. “It was a mental battle for the boys, so proud of them. To see how good the boys recovered and how the coaches handled the weather situation, we knew we were going to play and we were going to win.”It’s on to Utah for the SaberCats as they focus on their next goal.“New task, quality team,” Den Hoedt said. “We’re looking forward to the matchup.”
