By Aaron Wilson
Emmanuel Albert became a historical figure in Major League Rugby when he lined up with his Houston SaberCats teammates over the weekend.
Albert is now the first ever MLR drafted player to reach the 50th cap milestone — all with the same franchise that drafted him.
“It’s truly a blessing,” Albert said. “To look back and think four years ago, I just got out of college and to be drafted by this team and starting out in the league and playing minutes and slowly building and getting better and better each year, it’s truly a blessing. I have teammates and friends around the league that go from team to team. To be on one team, the team that drafted me, it’s a testament to the faith they had me in a player and their loyalty.”
Selected by the SaberCats in 2021, Albert was named to the first XV this week as the openside flanker. During a 46-45 road victory over Anthem Rugby Club Carolina, Albert had a game-high 18 tackles.
He also had 10 carries, beat one defender, had 11 breakdowns on arrival and one turnover won.
Growing up in Minnesota, Albert participated in multiple sports.
Albert played football, baseball and was on the wrestling team.
He also played rugby in high school and at Lindenwood University. where he was named the best collegiate rugby player in the nation.
“I would definitely say my wrestling background and playing football helped me as a tackler,” Albert said. “That mentality to keep working and working off the ball and get in position to make hits, whether I’m carrying the ball, or making tackles, I want to be involved and be in position to help my team. That’s my mentality on defense or attacking. I want to do what’s best for the team and keep leading from the front.”
Having a rich background in other sports made Albert a more versatile athlete.
“I played a lot of sports growing up, and football definitely helped me in rugby,” Albert said. “Rugby is a pretty physically demanding sport. Playing a lot of sports like football and wrestling translates to the pitch and contact areas of rugby.”
Albert’s skill and size prompted the SaberCats to draft the 6-foot-4, 250-pound lock and openside flanker in the first round with the second overall pick of the 2021 Major League Rugby collegiate draft.F
Four years later, the former Rugby HTX player has emerged as a pivotal player for the 4-1 SaberCats.
At Lindenwood in Missouri, Albert was a two-time National Sevens Champion, a Rugby Scholz winner as the top collegiate player in the nation and the MVP of the school’s rugby club. He also played for the USA Club Sevens Nationals and the St. Louis Bombers.
“I’m more of a physical player, not too flashy,” Albert said. “I do the dirty work, make big hits, do the small things that help us get a victory.”The Eagan, Minnesota native and his high school rugby team toured England and Wales during his senior year of high school.
“When I was growing up, I played football and wrestled, so defensive tackling is one of my stronger suits, just getting in the habit of doing a takedown,” Albert said. “I played middle linebacker and tight end, both sides of the ball. I was pretty good at doing that and transferring that over to rugby.”
No ice hockey?
“I wasn’t too big on ice hockey,” he said. “I never grew up trying to skate.”
Playing for the SaberCats is more than just playing a sport for Albert. It’s about friendships and camaraderie.
“It’s a great group of guys, great brotherhood,” Albert said. “You can see how we play, always fighting for each other. We have days where we go grab a coffee and go hang out with the boys.”
Living in the South has been an adjustment for Albert, but he doesn’t miss the cold weather of Minnesota.
“It’s great,” Albert said. “I enjoy the weather here. It’s not cold eight months out of the year. I enjoy being able to get outside on a nice day and go out for walks. I can’t really complain.”
