By Aaron Wilson
They didn’t know they were actually family. At least not at first.
It took some comparison of common family surnames for Pono Davis and Dominic Akina to realize they are related.
The two second cousins are now teaming up for the Houston SaberCats as they prepare for a Western Conference division finals playoff match on the road against the Utah Warriors.
A prop, Davis grew up in Kailu-a’Kona, Hawai’i and played college football at SMU.
A center who played college football at Western Oregon, Akina also was raised in Hawai’i in Hau’ula.
How did they meet? Both were playing for the Raptors and were training in Colorado.
“We didn’t live near each other in Hawai’i’,” Akina said. “We actually found out when were out in Colorado training. I came in and I didn’t know who Pono was. We just started matching family names. It’s a fun family thing.”
Akina earned his 50th Cap last season. He’s now in his fifth season of Major League Rugby and his third with the SaberCats.
He’s athletic and has a versatile sports background.
Akina has played all over the field for the SaberCats.
“I like both, honestly,” Akina said. “For me, I’ve got to get that contact going. For me, for the game, it’s a physical game. It’s hard. We’ve got to set the tone early. As forwards, we really pride ourselves on the physicality.”
Akina has the size and speed of an NFL safety at 6-foot-2, 220 pounds. He has run the 40-yard dash in 4.38 seconds with an eye-catching 41-inch vertical leap.
“Individually, I like to bring that power and speed to the team,” Akina said. “I think that really helps. I finally got to start the game and having time inside and outside the backs really helped me develop my game as well.”
And Akina, a former Western Oregon rugby and football player who played previously for the Austin Herd squad, is utilizing those tools.
Noticed by the Herd at a Major League Rugby combine, Akina played rugby and football in college and high school. He was a three-time Rugby Club Most Valuable Player.
Akina grew up in Hawaii before moving to Oregon and playing football, including safety, corner and linebacker, and track in high school. He has also played for the Williamette Sharks Rugby Club, which is affiliated with the International Rugby Institute in South Africa.
Akina has a distinct style of play built around his skills having played the sport now for several years and continuing to develop as a rugby player.
“For me, I like to obviously learn new things from all of our experienced guys,” Akina said. “I take something from them and build on my game and just build and learn and soak it all in as we go this season.”
The SaberCats are staying focused as they prepare for Los Angeles as the second seed in the Western Conference division.
“We just gotta be disciplined,” Akina said. “That’s what it is. We just gotta play our game and be disciplined. Everything’s gonna click.”
Davis earned his 50th Cap this season.
Davis converted from football to rugby.
His first career start came during a bonus point win over the Seattle Seawolves.
A former starting defensive tackle who earned an invitation to the Hula Bowl all-star game and was a three-time American Athletic Conference all-academic selection before playing professional football in The Spring League, Davis has adapted to the sport of rugby.
A former 300-pounder, Davis has exercised and dieted down to increase his mobility.
“I like having a little more weight on me, but, in order to be able to run around this field, you have to be a little more agile and light on your feet,” Davis said. “You train all year to be on the starting roster.”
To play in Major League Rugby, the premier North American professional league, shows Davis’ potential.
“That was my first time ever playing rugby, so it’s going pretty quickly,” Davis said. “I learned and ended up getting this opportunity to play at a higher level. It’s been quite a journey.”
A former defensive tackle, a nose guard and three-technique who played 38 games for the SMU Mustangs after playing at Tyler Junior College and previously being named a Defensive Player of the Year and first-team offensive line and defensive line selection in high school, Davis was named to the Frisco Bowl all-time team.
As a senior at SMU, he recorded 30 tackles, four for losses and two sacks. He had 22 tackles, two for losses and one forced fumble as a junior.
The parallels between American football and rugby resonate with Davis whose understanding and knowledge of the game are growing quickly.
“Some of the similarities I’ve picked up on is the linemen are forwards, if you converted football players into rugby players, and the defensive linemen and offensive linemen are props, the front row and all the guys in the scrum competing for the ball,” Davis said. “You have guys on the outside that are like wide receivers in football. Then, you’ve got the nine, he’s like the quarterback. He’s the guy who sees the gap and pulls the ball. He’s like a quarterback who’s also the punter. He does everything.”
Growing up in Hawaii, Davis was a versatile athlete. That has helped him pick up rugby.
He played football, soccer, basketball, even ice hockey.
He played football, soccer, basketball, even ice hockey.
“I played everything,” Davis said. “Now, here comes rugby. Football players can do this. Look at Drake Davis. I was talking to him on the sidelines and I told him, ‘That’s how you show America how football players can play rugby. He had a great game. It’s definitely something we can look more into with more football guys involved in the sport.”
Living and playing sports in Texas has been a comfortable feeling for Davis ever since his junior college days.
“I don’t know what it was, but it’s like Texas has been calling to me,” Davis said. “I’ve been here ever since I left Hawai’i, and it’s just been awesome.”
