SaberCats set ambitions high as returning playoff team: ‘We want to make Houston proud’

Coming off 9-7 campaign, director Heyneke Meyer excited about team’s culture, overall talent
By Aaron Wilson

HOUSTON — Heyneke Meyer is a blur of activity as he jots down different personnel combinations on a whiteboard for the SaberCats’ roster during a staff meeting.

The second-year director of rugby, a longtime former South African National team coach, is looking for the right chemistry, skills and strategies as he and coach Pote Human and other staffers discuss the team at the launch of training camp.

One year after the SaberCats finished 9-7 and earned a spot in the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, another season starts anew with a fresh slate. And Meyer is confident in the team and culture that the organization is building.

The goals are relatively simple: to win a championship and boost pride in the community surrounding its Major League Rugby Western Conference division winning squad.

“The biggest thing is to make Houston proud,” Meyer said following a workout session at Aveva Stadium. “Last year, we improved, but we want to win trophies for the community and be involved in the community. At the end of the day, we want to make Houston proud and we want to be a big community-driven team. It’s a growing sport, so you have to embrace and have connections with the community.

“Last year, we grew hugely with spectators. You start winning, and that’s easy. With moral support, it’s easier to win at home. We want to have a fortress here. We have a responsibility to make the fans proud and perform well in front of the people who support you. I want us to be a team that makes a difference in kids’ lives.”

Meyer has been recruiting new players to the SaberCats, including the additions of fullback Drew Wild, wing Vereniki Tikoisolomone and props Morgan Mitchell, Rob Cobb and Fatongia Paea to go with returning second-team All-Major League Rugby hooker Dean Muir.

The team also returns Christian Dyer, who scored seven tries last season while running for 816 meters and beating 16 defenders. As much as Meyer emphasizes talent, it’s even more about leadership, accountability and respect.

“Culture, to me, is nonnegotiable,” Meyer said. “We really work hard on our culture. It’s great the see the guys so happy to see each other back. Our culture, it’s a big family culture. No one is bigger than the team. No superstars, everybody is equal. The pieces are more important the individual. The team is more important than the individual. We like good guys next door. I don’t like ego-driven players or primadonnas.

“When we recruit players, the first thing we look at is, ‘Are they a good person off the field? It’s about family values. These guys put their bodies on the line. It’s not about who gets the limelight Discipline is nonnegotiable. I’m not big on a lot of rules. I believe the team should drive itself.”

When Meyer is evaluating whether to add a player to the roster, he relies heavily on recommendations and knowledge of the industry as well as getting a feel for the players’s background and personality.

“I just look for character,” Meyer said. “Put coal under pressure for millions of years and you get a diamond. We want guys who can handle the pressure. I recruit for character and work ethic. Most guys have talent. I want guys who perform under pressure.”

The SaberCats have 34 players under contract, and Meyer is confident in their ability to adapt to any style of play.

“I think the great thing about our team is, first of all, we have a good balanced side,” he said. “One thing we do lack is a little bit of experience. We have quite a young side, but I think we have a good balanced side. We have good forwards and backs and youngsters. The only thing we don’t have is a lot of depth. It’s not a big squad.

“I think we can play any type of game. It’s tough to come from the bottom of the lot and go to the playoffs. I’m excited with some new players and some good recruitments coming in. We kept most of our base from last year and we have seven to eight new players. I always believe in rugby everything starts up front. We struggled at times last year in scrums. We recruited two props who will make a difference.”

The SaberCats have an upcoming preseason opener Jan. 28 against the NOLA Gold followed by another preseason contest Feb. 8 at Aveva Stadium against the New England Free Jacks. They open the season on the road against the Dallas Jackalss and play their first home game Feb. 25 against the Gold. “It’s always great to play warm-up games and get used to contact again,” Meyer said. “We’re looking forward to that. We get a lot out of those games. It’s not about winning or losing It’s about trying to get some things done and evaluation.”

There’s a lot of competition within the squad for playing time. That should make the team even better. “That’s always good, to have healthy competition,” Meyer said. “We have such a small group. We have to replenish the squad, keep them fresh and healthy. We started from scratch last year and we’ve added a few quality players. I don’t care about names or positions or ages. The best players will play.”

*Photos by Nick Romero