SaberCats’ Pono Davis Makes Smooth Transition from Football Trenches to Rugby Scrum

By Aaron Wilson

Pono Davis quickly became accustomed to life in the trenches as a football player, shoving around blockers as an aggressive interior defensive lineman.
The native of Kailua-Kona, Hawaii excelled at SMU as a starting defensive tackle, earning an invitation to the Hula Bowl and was a three-time American Athletic Conference all-academic selection before playing professionally in The Spring League.

Now, Davis is applying his strength and athleticism in a different realm: the rugby scrum as a newly-signed prop for the Houston SaberCats.

Davis has made a smooth transition to rugby, learning the sport and adapting on the fly since joining the American Raptors, touring in Uruguay and playing in the XV Series and gaining the notice of SaberCats director Heyneke Meyer. To play in Major League Rugby, the premier North American professional league, shows Davis’ potential after just taking up the sport last September.

“That was my first time ever playing rugby, so it’s going pretty quickly,” Davis said. “I learned and ended up getting this opportunity to play at a higher level. It’s been quite a journey.”

A former defensive tackle, a nose guard and three-technique who played 38 games for the SMU Mustangs after playing at Tyler Junior College and previously being named a Defensive Player of the Year and first-team offensive line and defensive line selection in high school, Davis was named to the Frisco Bowl all-time team.

As a senior at SMU, he recorded 30 tackles, four for losses and two sacks. He had 22 tackles, two for losses and one forced fumble as a junior. The parallels between American football and rugby resonate with Davis whose understanding and knowledge of the game are growing quickly.

“Some of the similarities I’ve picked up on is the linemen are forwards, if you converted football players into rugby players, and the defensive linemen and offensive linemen are props, the front row and all the guys in the scrum competing for the ball,” Davis said. “When we actually get the ball, we’re pushing to get to the goal line. It’s more like the guy with the Colts, (Pro Bowl guard) Quenton Nelson, ‘Run the ball, coach.’

“You have guys on the outside that are like wide receivers in football. Then, you’ve got the nine, he’s like the quarterback. He’s the guy who sees the gap and pulls the ball. He’s like a quarterback who’s also the punter. He does everything.”

At 6-foot-2, 265 pounds, Davis previously played at roughly 300 pounds. At a lighter weight, he feels quicker and more mobile.

“Last year, I was about 300 pounds and that was fresh from The Spring League and going to Colorado, so I was still very much in football shape and lifting heavy still,” Davis said. “I can feel the difference now. I’ve trained it off. I can run a lot more and longer. My endurance feels better.”

Growing up in Hawaii, Davis was a versatile athlete. That has helped him pick up rugby. He played football, soccer, basketball, even ice hockey. “I played everything,” Davis said. “Now, here comes rugby.” When Davis played for the Raptors, he earned his spot after a tryout and he and the team had a strong year.

“Heyneke Meyer saw a lot of my games, and hit me up right away,” Davis said. “The New York team contacted me as well. It’s definitely exciting to be a part of this. Everyone is vibing on the same level. It just feels right.”

Living and playing sports in Texas has been a comfortable feeling for Davis ever since his junior college days. And he has family living in Texas who plan to attend his games.

“I don’t what it was, but it’s like Texas has been calling to me,” Davis said. “I’ve been here ever since I left Hawaii, and it’s just been awesome.”

*Photos by Nick Romero Films