MLR 2025: Western Conference Final – Utah Warriors vs Houston SaberCats

Major League Rugby will have a new Western Conference champion by late Saturday evening. Both Houston and their hosts Utah have been in the league since its inception in 2018 but neither have ever advanced this far. The SaberCats won both of their regular season meetings in convincing fashion but it was the Warriors who claimed top spot in the overall standings.

REGULAR SEASON RESULTS

11-5-0 West 1st

10-6-0 West 2nd

STARTING LINEUP CHANGES

	IN	OUT
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	IN	OUT
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CAPPED INTERNATIONALS

(10) – Seiuli (Samoa), Coltman (New Zealand), Jensen, Wilson, Mano, MacLellan, Lasike (USA), Jones, Benn (Canada), Vugakoto (Fiji)

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

NOTABLE ABSENTEES

– Gavin Thornbury (LO), D’Angelo Leuila (FH/CE)

– Sam Tuifua (N8), Davy Coetzer (FH), Drew Wild (FB)

PREDICTION

Conditions look unlikely to play a significant role with only a slight breeze on the forecast. The Warriors struggled against the Cats this year and are without star players Gavin Thornbury and D’Angelo Leuila, but still field a well-rounded side spearheaded by a strong front row and aggressive outside backs. Houston’s earlier success hinged heavily on playmakers Davy Coetzer and Drew Wild, both of whom are missing. Their pack is just as formidable, however, and is sure to cause problems in the tight-loose. The difference might come down to fatigue with the Cats forced to front up just five days after their rescheduled clash against LA on Monday. Utah are slight favorites at home.

LINEUPS

UTAH WARRIORS
1 Aki Seiuli (capt.), 2 Liam Coltman, 3 Tonga Kofe, 4 Frank Lochore, 5 Matt Jensen, 6 Bailey Wilson, 7 Lance Williams, 8 Dylan Nel, 9 Zion Going, 10 Joel Hodgson, 11 Joe Mano, 12 Spencer Jones, 13 Kyle Brown, 14 Nic Benn, 15 Jordan Trainor

Replacements: 16 Tuvere Vugakoto, 17 Emerson Prior, 18 Remsy Lemisio, 19 Reid Davis, 20 Kalisi Moli, 21 Logan Crowley, 22 Paul Lasike, 23 Nolan Tuamoheloa

HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Ezekiel Lindenmuth, 2 Pita Anae-Ah Sue, 3 Pono Davis, 4 Justin Basson, 5 Nathan Den Hoedt (capt.), 6 Emmanuel Albert, 7 Johan Momsen, 8 Marno Redelinghuys, 9 André Warner, 10 AJ Alatimu, 11 Drake Davis, 12 Sam Hill, 13 Tautalatasi Tasi, 14 Rufus McLean, 15 Max Schumacher

Replacements: 16 Seth Smith, 17 Wilton Rebolo, 18 Michael Scott, 19 Javon Camp, 20 Keni Nasoqeqe, 21 Louritz van der Schyff, 22 Jay Renton, 23 Dom Akina

MATCH INFO

Date: Saturday, June 20
Venue: Zions Bank Stadium, Herriman
Kickoff: 19:00 local (18:00 Pacific, 20:00 Central, 21:00 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 68°F (20°C), wind N 12-19mph (19-30km/h)
Broadcasts: ESPN2, Sky Sports NZ, The Rugby Network