July 16, 2016
Denver Stampede v Sacramento Express Preview
Photo: PRO Rugby
Doug Coil
The Denver Stampede play the Sacramento Express this Saturday, July 17 at 3pm MT at Ciber Field in Denver on the University of Denver campus. Tickets may be obtained by clicking on bit.ly/1ONvvo3 The match will be streamed on http://prorugby.org
Last week the Stampede had a dominant offensive attack in beating the San Diego Breakers 59-23. Their record improved to 8-1 and have 36 points in the standings. They have played two fewer matches than the Ohio Aviators who lead the League with 42 points. Should Denver win against Sacramento this week and San Francisco next week, that would set up a match for the PRO Rugby Championship on July 31st at Ohio.
The Sacramento Express lost 46-31 to the Ohio Express at home last week. They came back with three second half tries and that should be a confidence boost entering this week.
It would take three win to potentially move the Express into third place above the Breakers. Meanwhile, the Express are in a heated battle with the San Francisco Rush to avoid finishing with the Wooden Spoon. Both the Express and the Rush have 2-7 records, but the Express won both head to head matches.
The Express record is 2-7 with 11 points in the standings. The San Francisco Rush have the same record, but have 12 points. The Express plays their final two matches at home against San Diego and San Francisco. They would like nothing more to have a complete sweep of the three match series against the Rush, as they have already beaten them twice.
Denver was on a roll last week and has made one change as Luke White is at lock.
The Sacramento Express has made three changes in their starting XV as Estephan Tuimasanga is at prop, Chris Saint at scrumhalf and Garrent Bender at wing.
Penalties will need to be minimized in the match, as both kickers are very accurate. Will Magie is currently third in points scored with 88, while Mirco Bergamasco is fourth with 77.
The match also features two of the best forward packs in the League. Both will test each other early. Denver has scored numerous points this season from set lineout plays that then form rolling mauls. Look for Sacramento to do the same.
The eight man position is a key one as Pedrie Wannenburg, Denver’s captain, leads by example and is often found attacking. Langilangi is also a threat for the Express, especially if he finds a gap.
The backs also will attempt to gain tactical position with kicks from Will Magie and Ata Malifa for Denver and Harry Bennett for the Express. This will aid the both the forwards and the backs in points points on the board.
Look for both teams to score points and this should excite the crowd.
There will be some interesting halftime entertainment when the Queen City Rams play the Denver Highlanders in an exhibition rugby sevens match.
Denver Stampede: 1 Ben Tarr 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Chris Baumann 4 Logan Collins 5 Luke White 6 Hanco Germishuys 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrei Wannenburg (C) 9 Mose Timateo 10 Will Magie 11 Timana Tahu 12 Ata Malifa 13 Chad London 14 Mike Garrity 15 Max de Achaval 16 Nick Wallace 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Soane Leger 19 Christian Wiessing 20 Zac Pauga 21 Bobby Impson 22 Kyle Hitt 23 Dustin Croy Coaches: Head Coach – Sean O’Leary, Assistant Coaches: Peter Borlase, David Williams Manager: Kieran Browner
Sacramento Express: 1 Eric Fry 2 Cam Falcon 3 Estephan Tuimasanga 4 Matt Doubek 5 Robert Meeson 6 Kyle Sumsion 7 John Quill 8 Langilangi Haupeakui 9 Chris Saint 10 Harry Bennett 11 Garrett Bender 12 Mirco Bergamasco 13 Alipate Takiveikata 14 Cody Jerabeck 15 Alex Hodgkinson 16 Kali Tavake 17 Olive Kilifi 18 Toki Kefu 19 Ryan Koewler 20 Sione LatuE 21 Ronald Dwyer 22 Jope Motokana 23 SShane Moore Coaches: Head Coach – Luke Gross Assistant Coaches: Kevin Battle, Fred Waititi
DJCoil Rugby Match Recaps of Previous Matches
Denver Stampede Corral San Diego Breakers
Ohio Aviators Fly Out of Sacramento With Win & Chance for PRO Rugby Championship
