June 24, 2016
Denver Stampede v Sacramento Express Preview
Photo: PRO Rugby
Doug Coil
The Denver Stampede play the Sacramento Express on Sunday, June 26 at 3pm MT at Ciber Field, on the University of Denver campus.Tickets are still available http://bit.ly/1sa8qHv and the match is also being streamed on prorugby.org
The Stampede enter this match with a 6-1 record and are in first place in the standing with 27 points. Last week, the Stampede lost for the first time against the second place Ohio Aviators.
This weekend ends the June tests. The Stampede have three members of their team playing for the USA Men’s Eagles against Russia this week, Chris Baumann, Ben Tarr and Chad London. The Express have Ray Barkwill playing for Canada against Italy and Langilangi Haupeakui on the Eagles roster.
The Stampede have made four changes to their starting team from their first loss last week against Ohio. Four of these changes are in the forwards, as Logan Collins and Brodie Orth start at Lock and Zac Pauga and Hanco Germishuys are at Flanker. The front row remains the same from last week and Pedrei Wannenburg continues to direct the team from 8-man.
In the backs Dustin Croy starts at wing with Timanu Tahu moveing to center. The reserves are in flux as three have not been named yet.
With the Eagles match being played in Sacramento this week, Sacramento Express forwards Sione Sina, John Quill and Langilangi Haupeakui have been participants at the Eagles camp. Eric Fry was also in camp, and has joined the Express, as his season with the Newcastle Falcons has ended.
Sacramento has not played in the last three weeks and it is expected that they will be up for the challenge when they take on the Stampede. The Express have made six changes since they last played. Cam Falcon takes over Ray Barkwill’s position at Hooker. Eric Fry will be a prop, Ryan Koewler and Kali Tavake enter as Flankers, with Kyle Sumison moving to 8-man, as Langilangi Haupeakui is on Eagles duty.
In the backs, Harry Bennett returns to flyhalf after an injury and Coy Jerabeck moves to wing. One reserve still has not been named.
After the match this week 4 matches will remain for the Stampede. After a bye match next week, they then have consecutive home matches against San Diego and Sacramento before traveling to San Francisco and Ohio to finish the season.
The Express will be playing each week until the season concludes. Next week they are away at San Francisco, then home against Ohio before traveling to Denver. They conclude their season then with two home matches against San Diego and San Francisco.
Denver Stampede: 1 Nick Wallace 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Soane Leger 4 Logan Collina 5 Brodie Orth 6 Zac Pauga 7 Hanco Germishuys 8 Pedrei Wannenburg (C) 9 Mose Timateo 10 Will Magie 11 Dustin Croy 12 Ata Malifa 13 Timana Tahu 14 Mike Garrity 15 Max de Achaval 16 Luke White 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Lynton Mare 19 TBA 20 Bobby Impson 21 Michael Al-Jiboori 22 TBA 23 TBA Coaches: Head Coach – Sean O’Leary, Assistant Coaches: Peter Borlase, David Williams Manager: Kieran Browner
Sacramento Squad: 1 Val Lee-Lo 2 Cam Falcon 3 Eric Fry 4 Robert Meeson 5 Sione Sina 6 Ryan Keowler 7 Kali Tavake 8 Kyle Sumsion 9 Chris Saint 10 Harry Bennett 11 Cody Jerabeck 12 Mirco Bergamasco 13 Nemia Qoro 14 Ryan Thompson 15 Garrett Brewer 16 Matt Doubek 17 Olive Kilifi 18 Sione Latu 19 Alipate Takiveikata 20 Estaphan Tuimassanga 21 Jope Motokana 22 Alex Hodgkinsen 23 TBA Coaches: Head Coach – Luke Gross Assistant Coaches: Kevin Battle, Fred Waititi
