RFCLA match goes ahead amid cancellation concerns
Rugby Football Club Los Angeles' match between the Houston SaberCats has been delayed to Monday, June 16 4:30pm PST due to MLR weather regulations and players safety and welfare.
Rugby Football Club Los Angeles (RFCLA) originally were set to take on Houston on Sunday, June 15 in the Western Conference Semi Final of the 2025 Major League Rugby season, but the game as called off due to thunderstorms.
This is a do-or-die match: a win sends RFCLA through to the Western Conference Final, while a loss will bring their season to an end.
RFCLA finished the regular season ranked 3rd in the Western Conference with a 8-1-7 record (Up from 5-1-10 in 2024) They closed out the season with a hard-fought loss to top-seeded Utah Warriors, staging a late comeback after trailing by 21 points.
Houston enters the match following a gritty win over Anthem Rugby Carolina.
There are a few changes to RFCLA’s lineup this week. In the forward pack, Alessandro Heaney and Ben Sugars come into the starting XV, with last week’s starters Franco Van Den Berg and Mike Sosene-Feagai moving to the bench. Ed Timpson returns from injury to take Matt Heaton’s spot in the starting lineup.
In the backline, Rory Van Vugt reclaims his place on the wing after a late scratching last week, with Seth Purdey shifting to the bench.
RFCLA and Houston split their two encounters this season. In their first meeting in Los Angeles, RFCLA started strong but couldn’t hold off a second-half surge by Houston, falling 45-28 in front of a record crowd.
The return fixture in Houston saw RFCLA grind out a gutsy 24-22 win, marking their fourth straight victory at the time.
With the away match scheduled for Sunday, fans are invited to Tower 12, Hermosa Pier our MLR Watch Party, with 20% of all drinks and food with giveaways and player signing sessions.
Western Conference Semi Final vs. Houston SaberCats at the new time of Monday, June 16 4PM PST | SaberCats Stadium, Houston
Starting XV:
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Franco Van Den Berg
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Ben Sugars
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Maliu Niuafe
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Jason Damm
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Jurie Van Vuuren
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Timothy Anstee
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Ed Timpson
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Ben Houston
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Gonzalo Bertranou
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Christian Leali'ifano
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Rory Van Vugt
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William Meakes
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Nicholas Chan
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Andrew Coe
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Reece Macdonald
Mike Sosene-Feagai
Tim Ohlwein
Franco Van Den Berg
Reegan Ogorman
Semi Kunitani
Ben Sugars
Tas Smith
Seth Purdey
Join Club 24! A new membership offering of RFCLA which was founded in '24! Find out more!
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