MLR 2025: Seattle Seawolves vs Houston SaberCats

Seattle face another crucial match-up in their quest for a playoff berth, but the Seawolves will have to earn their stripes against the best team in the Western Conference on Friday night. Meanwhile a win of any kind will secure Houston’s playoff ticket and hold their spot at the top of the table.

CURRENT STANDINGS

6-6-1 (W2) West 5th

9-4-0 (W2) West 1st

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

	IN	OUT
2	Kerron van Vuuren	Dewald Kotze
4	Siaosi Mahoni	Malembe Mpofu
11	Toni Pulu	Malacchi Esdale

	IN	OUT
1	LaRome White	Ezekiel Lindenmuth
2	Pita Anae-Ah Sue	Seth Smith
6	Keni Nasoqeqe	Marno Redelinghuys
8	Tinashe Muchena	Sam Tuifua
10	AJ Alatimu	Davy Coetzer
12	Sam Hill	Dom Akina
14	Rufus McLean	Drake Davis

CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(11) – Zeiss (Argentina), Mahoni, Hattingh, Boyer, Kruse, Wenglewski (USA), Noa, Iona (Samoa), Rossouw (Namibia), Mackail, Gallagher (Canada)

(4) – Davis (USA), Alatimu (Samoa), McLean (Scotland), Rebolo (Brazil)

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Dewald Kotze (HO), Malembe Mpofu (LO), JP Smith (SH)

– Ezekiel Lindenmuth (LH), André Warner (SH), Davy Coetzer (FH)

PREDICTION

The SaberCats arrive short of full strength with star playmaker Davy Coetzer sidelined for at least this week with a head knock. Their depth, however, has been proven with ex-Chicago No8 Tinashe Muchena the only hint of inexperience in the starting lineup. After two straight wins snatched at the death, Seattle have opted for minimal changes and are suddenly feeling more confident. Their meeting in March was very close, and this one is similarly unpredictable. Houston are slight favorites on the road.

LINEUPS

SEATTLE SEAWOLVES
1 Cameron Orr, 2 Kerron van Vuuren, 3 Juan Pablo Zeiss, 4 Siaosi Mahoni, 5 Rhyno Herbst, 6 Riekert Hattingh (capt.), 7 Charles Elton, 8 OJ Noa, 9 Nick Boyer, 10 Rodney Iona, 11 Toni Pulu, 12 Dan Kriel, 13 Divan Rossouw, 14 Mika Kruse, 15 Duncan Matthews

Replacements: 16 Jesse Mackail, 17 Chance Wenglewski, 18 Mason Pedersen, 19 Huw Taylor, 20 Devin Short, 21 Brock Gallagher, 22 Eddie Fouché, 23 Malacchi Esdale

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 LaRome White, 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.), 6 Keni Nasoqeqe, 7 Johan Momsen, 8 Tinashe Muchena, 9 Jay Renton, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Juan-Dee Oliver, 12 Sam Hill, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Rufus McLean, 15 Drew Wild

Replacements: 16 Wilton Rebolo, 17 Valdemar Lee-Lo, 18 Michael Scott, 19 Javon Camp, 20 Dom Akina, 21 Max Schumacher, 22 Jeremy Misailegalu, 23 Seimou Smith

MATCH INFO

Date: Friday, May 23
Venue: Starfire Stadium, Tukwila
Kickoff: 19:30 local (21:30 Central, 22:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: partly cloudy, 62°F (16°C), wind N 6-9mph (10-14km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN+, CW39, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network