‘Super grateful,’ SaberCats’ Missile celebrates 50th Cap

Jul 1, 2024 | Uncategorized

By Aaron Wilson

Jeremy Misaelegalu was in an emotional, introspective mood while reflecting on what it took for him to reach the prestigious 50^th Cap milestone.

For the SaberCats’ wing-center known as “Missile” for his hard-charging style of play, the moment was something he’ll never forget.

“It just means a lot,” Misailegalu said following the SaberCats’ 29-28 victory over the Dallas Jackals to cap a 14-2 regular season. “I couldn’t have done it without all of the support and I’m just super grateful to be here.”

Misailegalu has a ton of perspective about the perseverance it took for him to teach this point in his career.

Yes, there were moments of doubt during his run in Major League Rugby. No, that never stopped him from continuing to make strides and adapt to adversity.

“That’s just part of the sport, the uncertainty, and the journey,” Misailegalu said. “That’s what makes it such goals.”

How did Misailegalu do it?

“Faith,” he said. “Faith, brother.”

When the SaberCats invited Jeremy Misailegalu to join them, ‘The Missile,’ jumped at the opportunity.

Misailegalu, a former Rugby Atlanta player and a former All-Major League Rugby honorable mention selection, simply wanted to play rugby again in his return to the sport.

“Rugby has changed my life,” Misailegalu said. “If we can spread the whole culture and get more people to play the sport, we can grow it. I’ve seen what rugby has done for me and my peers.

“Rugby is played under so many cultures around the world with one common goal: to win. We all trust each other and enjoy the process and are having fun. It’s amazing. We have a great culture.”

Now, Misailegalu is part of a top-seeded squad that earned homefield advantage in the playoffs as the SaberCats seek to win the shield. The SaberCats host the Jackals on July 20 in a Western Conference division semifinal.

“The season is behind us now, we just focus on the playoffs,” Misailegalu said. “It’s been a journey. Anytime, it’s a rivalry game it’s going to be a close game. In the game of rugby, you can’t sleep on anybody.”

Misailegalu is a 5-foot-11, 230-pound newcomer to the SaberCats. A former high school running back and linebacker from Puyallup, Washington who attended New Mexico Highlands University, Misailegalu has previous stints with Atlanta, Utah and Seattle.

His football background has paid dividends for the SaberCats.

“My role, I would say bulldozer,” Misailegalu said. “My role is just to be that guy. Whatever they need, whatever they need. They call me ‘Missile,’ because I’m a bulldozer-slash-Honey Badger.

“I love the violent aspect of the sport, being scrappy. There’s a carryover from football. A lot of similarities. I like to run with the ball as a former running back As a linebacker, you get to tackle and rugby has that carryover that’s really cool.”

Misailegalu played 1,289 minutes in 18 matches, starting 16, and scored three tries during the 2021 season for Atlanta.

He had four starts and one try in 2020 for Rugby ATL during a pandemic-shortened season.

With the Warriors in 2019, he played 599 minutes in eight starts with one try and had 50 tackles.

He started three of four matches played for the Seawolves during the inaugural season of Major League Rugby, contributing to a championship squad.

“I’ve been playing rugby for 10 years now,” Misailegalu said. “Being a running back, I’m able to avoid contact or go into contact. I think that’s one of the biggest thing that transfers from football to rugby.”

With the SaberCats, Misailegalu is enjoying the camaraderie, teamwork and the winning culture established by director Heyneke Meyer and coach Pote Human.