Hawaii native Pono Davis played in Major League Rugby between 2022-2025. He represented the Houston SaberCats for his entire MLR career.

Davis is a capped USA Eagle, earning his debut as Eagle #576 off the bench against Canada in August 2024. He was a regular starter during the USA’s July tests in 2025.

A crossover athlete from gridiron football, Davis played in the XFL for the Seattle Sea Lions in 2021 before joining the American Raptors crossover program in the fall. He signed with the Houston SaberCats ahead of the 2022 MLR season, and he earned 8 appearances from the bench for the ‘Cats in his rookie season, before returning to the American Raptors in the fall. His performance with the SaberCats earned Davis another contract with Houston for the 2023 season, in which he earned an additional 15 appearances including his first MLR starts. He racked up 175m gained with ball in hand and completed 75 tackles.

On 2nd January 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Pono Davis for his 3rd season in MLR in 2024, where he appeared in all 17 Houston SaberCats games, starting 4 times and completing over 125 tackles as the SaberCats finished as the #1 team in MLR with a 14-2 record, before being stunned by the Dallas Jackals in the Western Conference Semifinals. On November 21, 2024, the Houston SaberCats announced the return of Pono Davis for the 2025 MLR season. Davis had a standout 2025 campaign, setting career highs almost across the board. He appeared in 17 games for the Houston SaberCats, starting 16 times (four times more than his previous career high in starts!) to help the SaberCats advance to the postseason for the 4th seaosn in a row, and finally earn their first playoff victory, defeating Rugby FC LA and the Utah Warriors to claim the Western Conference Title, before falling to the New England Free Jacks in the Championship in Rhode Island. Davis passes 150 tackles for the first time in his career with 152, and was named to the All-MLR 1st XV for his performance in 2025.

achievements

• 2025 All-MLR First XV Selection
• 2025 Western Conference Champion – Houston SaberCats
• MLR Team of the Week: 2025 – Rd 3
• MLR Team of the Week: 2024 – Rd 18