Game Preview: Saturday, April 8 vs. Utah Warriors

‘Leadership is exceptional,’ 5-1 SaberCats primed for home match against Utah Warriors

SaberCats are coming off road win over Chicago

By Aaron Wilson

Stacking victories is the SaberCats’ daily goal with an ultimate desire to win a Major League Rugby championship.

The process toward that type of achievement is built around details, a dedicated daily routine and following the plan set out by director Heyneke Meyer and coach Pote Human.

“The leadership on our team is exceptional from the top with Heyneke to the team,” SaberCats player Gerrie Labuschagne’ said. “I always say about leadership, you can talk as much as you want, but leadership by example is the best leadership. People who put it on the line every day, they hit it hard. The leadership from on top, the coaching, it’s exceptional. At the end of the day, it comes down to respect. Respect your leaders and coaches.”

The results are obvious.

The SaberCats are 5-1 heading into Saturday night’s match at SaberCats Stadium against the 4-2 Utah Warriors.

Talent is one thing, camaraderie and teamwork are the overriding factors.

“Very good culture,” Meyer said. “The guys really do play for each other and pull for each other.”

The SaberCats are coming off a road win over Chicago.

“I’m obviously very happy about how the team is going,” Labuschagne’ said. “At this stage where we’re at, we’re not worried about 5-1, 6-1, 7-1, we just keep on trying to do our best and be the best we can be, Rugby is a team sport. We can only be as good as the person next to you. If they’re doing their job, you can do your job. We’re on our way. It’s all about trust.”

Davy Coetzer is tied for the scoring lead in Major League Rugby and emerged as a consistent scoring threat all season.

‘Davy, that guy is so talented and works so hard,” Labuschagne’ said. “He’s an amazing person and a great player. If he keeps doing what he has been doing, there’s no doubt in my mind he can be the best this league has ever seen.”

From an individual standpoint, Labuschagne’ is looking to keep contributing more and more.

“At the end of the day, I do whatever I need to do to stand out,” Labuschagne’ said. “I’ve been doing some good things, but I can also step it up a notch.”

Utah is coming off a 26-24 win over the New England Free Jacks, but did sustain some injuries to three starters: Joe Mano, Paul Lasike and Jamie Lane, all of whom are out for this game.

The Warriors get back Tuvere Vugakoto, whose red-card suspension has been lifted after a two-week ban.

“We take every single team as their best, we always view the things they did during the season and always look at that and say, ‘OK, this is where we need to stop them,'” Labuschagne’ said. “We care more about the focus on what we need do, and that’s the most important thing.”

The excitement of returning home to play in front of the fans is a big deal for Labuschagne’ and his teammates.

“We truly love it when we can play at home,” he said. “All of the people who come to stadium, all of the fans, we really appreciate them. It makes us want to play so much harder for the fans, friends and family. Our fans become our friends. We always say it’s Houston against the world. It really feels like that.”

*Photos by BigShots SnapShots