July 2, 2016
San Francisco Rush Host Sacramento Express
Photo: PRO Rugby
Doug Coil
The San Francisco Rush host the Sacramento Express this Sunday at 3:00pm PT. The Rush have a 2-6 League record, while the Express are 1-6. This is a rematch of week one when the Express won 37-25 in Sacramento.
Last weekend both teams were away and suffered losses. San Francisco looks to regroup and jump start their offensive attack that was on a roll the previous three matches. Sacramento hopes to corral the Rush to place them in a position to win.
The Rush have made three changes from last week’s loss to Ohio. They add some offensive firepower in Mils Muliaina and Pila Longi at outside center and wing, respectively. Teviata ‘David” Tameilau will be at flanker.
The Sacramento Express have made five changes from last week’s loss to Denver. Three of the changes are in the forwards with Langilangi Haupeakui at eight-man, John Quill at flanker and Matt Doubek at lock. In the backs, Jope Motokana is at scrumhalf and Alex Hodgkinsen is at fullback.
Penalties must be minimized as both teams have very accurate kickers. Volney Rouse is the League’s second leading point scorer for the Rush with 86 points, while Mirco Bergamasco is fifth with 53 points for the Express.
After this weekend, The Rush have a bye week, followed by two home matches against San Diego and Denver and end their season away against Sacramento. The Express have played one less match and are home next week against Ohio, then away against Denver before finishing the season with two home matches against San Diego and San Francisco.
Tickets for the match are still available and may be obtained by clicking http://bit.ly/1ONtUPk The match will be streamed on prorugby.org.
Match recaps of the last San Francisco Rush & Sacramento Express Matches
June 26 match – San Francisco Rush at Ohio Aviators Ohio Aviators Leave San Francisco Rush in their Jetstream
June 26 match Sacramento Express at Denver Stampede Denver Stampede Boot Sacramento Express
San Francisco Rush: 1. Niko Lolohea 2 Patrick Latu (captain) 3 Fancy Namulau’ulu 4 Brendan Daly 5 Jeremy Laenaerts 6 Tevita ‘David’ Tameilau 7 Sam Finau 8 Bill Fukofuka 9 Deveraux Ferris 10 Volney Rouse 11 Pila Longi 12 Orene Ai’i 13 Mils Muliaina 14 Jake Anderson 15 Martini Talapusi 16 Neil Barrett 17 Mone Laulaupeaalu 18 Codi Jones 19 Siupeli Sakalia 20 Sione Sina 21 Michael Haley 22 Jack O’Hara 23 Michael Reid Coaches: Head Coach – Paul Keeler Assistant Coaches: Adriaan Ferris, Simon Fathers
Sacramento Express: 1 Eric Fry 2 Cam Falcon 3 Val Lee-Lo 4 Matt Doubek 5 Robert Meeson 6 Kyle Sumsion 7 John Quill 8 Langilangi Haupeakui 9 Jope Motokana 10 Harry Bennett 11 Cody Jerabeck 12 Mirco Bergamasco 13 Nemia Qoro 14 Ryan Thompson 15 Alex Hodgkinsen 16 Ray Barkwill 17 Olive Kilifi 18 Kali Tavake 19 Alipate Takiveikata 20 Sione Sina 21 Ronald Dwyer 22 Garrett Brewer 23 Ryan Keowler Coaches: Head Coach – Luke Gross Assistant Coaches: Kevin Battle, Fred Waititi
