MLR 2024 Playoffs: Houston SaberCats vs Dallas Jackals

The first Western Conference Semi Final of the weekend will determine who represents the great state of Texas in the Final Four. Houston are the top seeds after finishing the regular season with the best overall record in Major League Rugby. Dallas are closing the distance and were just off the pace when they met a the same venue three weeks ago.

FORM GUIDE

14-2-0, West 1st, Last 5: 4-1, Streak: Won 1

6-10-0, West 4th, Last 5: 1-4, Streak: Lost 3

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

4 Siaosi Mahoni replaces Justin Basson
5 Nathan Den Hoedt replaces Johan Momsen (suspension)
11 Seimou Smith replaces Jeremy Misailegalu
12 Louritz van der Schyff replaces Sam Hill

1 Joaquin Horcada replaces Liam Murray (injury)
2 Dewald Kotze replaces Tomás Bekerman
3 Juan Pablo Zeiss replaces Franco Palillo
4 Jerónimo Gómez Vara replaces Lucas Bur
6 Ronan Foley replaces Sam Golla (injury)
7 Makeen Alikhan replaces Ben Fry
8 Sam Tuifua replaces Marques Fuala’au
10 Martín Elías replaces Manuel Covella (No13 in Round 18)

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(4) – Mahoni, Dyer, Ferris (USA), Alatimu (Samoa)

(3) – Kotze, Steeves (Canada), Zeiss (Argentina)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Ezekiel Lindenmuth (LH), Maks van Dyk (TH), Justin Basson (LO), Johan Momsen (LO/FL), Drew Wild (FB)

– Liam Murray (LH), Lucas Bur (LO), Sam Golla (LO), Mitch Richardson (CE), Vaughen Isaacs (FB)

NOTES

Houston will be missing top forward Johan Momsen, who sits out one week for yellow card accumulation… also absent from the pack are both starting props and second row Justin Basson
USA international Siaosi Mahoni makes a timely recovery from injury… the 6’8″ (2.03m) giant missed the entirety of the regular season and steps in to start in Houston’s engine room
the SaberCats have rotated their midfield for much of the season… but the starting pairing is somewhat of a surprise… Louritz van der Schyff and Tautalatasi Tasi have played together just once previously, in the Week 16 match against Seattle
this is the first ever playoff match for Dallas, who failed to win a single game during their inaugural 2022 season… they won just two games in 2023
the Jackals are the only team with a losing record to reach the playoffs this year… while their 6-10 record is unimpressive, their average margin of defeat is just 4 points… despite winning just one more game than Utah and LA, Dallas made the playoffs by capturing an MLR record 19 bonus points
the international window was not kind to the Jackals… ruled out with injury are captain Sam Golla and Canadian trio Liam Murray, Mitch Richardson, and Brock Gallagher… Richardson’s absence means an extra import slot is needed to reinforce the midfield, leaving no room for Lucas Bur in the lineup

PREDICTION

Weather shouldn’t be a significant factor with both teams accustomed to the humidity, though there is a risk of a thundershower on the forecast. The SaberCats were the better of the two sides throughout the season and even without the likes of Momsen and Basson they still field an imposing forward back. Dallas have a tendency to lose their discipline late in the game, so will need to score early to have a chance of an historic upset. Houston are clear favorites at home.

LINEUPS

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Rob Cobb, 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Siaosi Mahoni, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.), 6 Marno Redelinghuys, 7 Keni Nasoqeqe, 8 Ronan Murphy, 9 André Warner, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Seimou Smith, 12 Louritz van der Schyff, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Christian Dyer, 15 Davy Coetzer

Replacements: 16 Tiaan Erasmus, 17 LaRome White, 18 Val Lee-Lo, 19 Emmanuel Albert, 20 Gideon van Wyk, 21 Devereaux Ferris, 22 Max Schumacher, 23 Dom Akina

DALLAS JACKALS
1 Joaquín Horcada, 2 Dewald Kotze, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Jerónimo Gómez Vara (capt.), 5 Javon Camp, 6 Ronan Foley, 7 Makeen Alikhan, 8 Sam Tuifua, 9 Juan-Dee Oliver, 10 Martín Elías, 11 Nic Benn, 12 Connor Winchester, 13 Tomás Cubilla, 14 Jason Tidwell, 15 Tomás Malanos

Replacements: 16 Connor Grindal, 17 Tomás Bekerman, 18 Kyle Steeves, 19 Kyle Breytenbach, 20 Daemon Torres, 21 Evan Conlon, 22 Marques Fuala’au, 23 Joeli Tikoisuva

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, July 20
Venue: SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Kickoff: 18:30 local (16:30 Pacific, 19:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sun and cloud, 86°F (30°C), humidex 93°F (34°C), wind E 6-9mph (10-14km/h)
Broadcasts: Fox Sports 2, The Rugby Network