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Only four teams will suit up in Week 5 of the inaugural Major League Rugby season. Saturday’s match is another first for the startup league, the first rematch. The New Orleans Gold host the Houston SaberCats in a repeat of the first game on opening day, a match won 35-26 by the Gold in Texas.
The circumstances have changed significantly since, and not just the location. Houston turned their form around in Week 2 and were only just beaten by the Legion. New Orleans have dropped two straight and star No8 Sebastián Kalm and their international midfield of JP Eloff and Tim Maupin.
Despite a strong first half NOLA couldn’t get the finish against Seattle but coach Nate Osborne has kept the faith and will start an identical XV against Houston. All three changes come on the bench.
Two new flankers are named in Brennan Falcon, brother of front row Cam, and Chad Joseph. The latter arrives from Dallas Reds having played for the Ohio Aviators in 2016. Melvin DeSouza misses out with Joey Sok also set to make his MLR debut as a replacement.
Houston enjoyed their week off and return refreshed and ready for battle. New Eagles selection Paul Mullen makes his regular season bow at tighthead prop and skipper Kyle Sumsion returns on the blindside flank with Chris Coyle shifting to openside.
Adam Macklin moves to the reserve list with Mullen’s return and Chris Parker takes Pago Haini’s spot in the reserves. Powerhouse midfielder Joey Iosefa is absent having spent a few days trying out for the NFL’s Carolina Panthers. He was not one of the four players signed from the camp, however, so could yet make a return to SaberCats colors soon.
Unlike the Seawolves last week, the Cats will have no problems dealing with the New Orleans heat. With Mullen’s return they are a virtually full strength side missing only suspended winger Josua Vici. His presence is also notable in the scrum, an area where NOLA had surprising success against Seattle in the early goings.
The Gold have been resilient but their resources are stretched thin heading into the third of seven consecutive weekends in action. Peceli Rinakama’s selection at flyhalf will not be a surprise this week and the SaberCats will be very aware of his running threat. Houston entered their previous encounter as favorites and should do so again on Saturday.
Kickoff is set for 3pm local time, 4pm Eastern, 1pm Pacific. Viewers in the USA and Canada can watch on CBS Sports Network. All others have access to the Facebook stream on the official MLR page.
NEW ORLEANS GOLD
1 Hubert Buydens, 2 Eric Howard, 3 Ben Tarr, 4 Nikola Bursic, 5 Matt Wirken, 6 Moni Tonga’uiha, 7 Matt Hughston, 8 John Sullivan, 9 Holden Yungert, 10 Peceli Rinakama, 11 Joeli Tikoisuva, 12 Taylor Howden (capt.), 13 Zack Stryffeler, 14 Bobby Johns, 15 Michael Baska
Replacements: 16 Amro Gouda, 17 Cam Falcon, 18 Derrek van Klein, 19 Billy Stewart, 20 Brennan Falcon, 21 Chad Joseph, 22 Vita Makasini, 23 Joey Sok
HOUSTON SABERCATS
1 Jake Turnbull, 2 Lindsey Stevens, 3 Paul Mullen, 4 Charlie Hewitt, 5 Robert Meeson, 6 Kyle Sumsion (capt.), 7 Chris Coyle, 8 Matt Trouville, 9 Connor Murphy, 10 Sam Windsor, 11 Alex Elkins, 12 Conor Mills, 13 Osea Kolinisau, 14 Malacchi Esdale, 15 Zach Pangelinan
Replacements: 16 Diego Maquieira, 17 Adam Macklin, 18 Jack Riley, 19 Justin Allen, 20 Chris Parker, 21 Cecil Garber, 22 Chris Slater, 23 Dan Paul
Date: Saturday, May 19
Venue: Archbishop Shaw Field, New Orleans
Kickoff: 15:00 local (13:00 Pacific, 16:00 Eastern)
Referee: Adam Leal (RFU)
Assistants: Scott Green (USAR) & Allen Alongi (USAR)
Broadcasts: CBS Sports Network, Facebook
