July 16, 2016
San Francisco Rush v San Diego Breakers Preview
Photo: PRO Rugby
Doug Coil
The San Francisco Rush play the San Diego Breakers this Saturday, July 16 at 3pm PT at Boxer Stadium in San Francisco. Tickets may be obtained by clicking on http://bit.ly/1scyxNZ The match will be streamed on http://prorugby.org
The San Francisco has made five changes to their starting XV, since their loss 43-19 against Sacramento two weeks ago. In the front row Codi Jones will be at prop, while Pat Latu moves from Hooker to prop and Jay Finau slots in at Hooker. Brendan Daly moves from lock to flanker replacing David Tameilau, who is the third leading try scorer, and Nick Grass is at lock. In the backs, there are two changes with Nick Blevins returning to center and Michael Haley at wing.
San Diego has made four changes since last week’s 59-23 loss at Denver. Ian Carpenter is at lock and Bruce Thomas at flanker. In the backs, Kalei Konrad replaces the leading point scorer Kurt Morath at flyhalf. Taku Ngwenya returns from a concussion at wing.
It would take three win to potentially move the Rush into third place above the Breakers. Meanwhile, the Rush are in a heated battle with the Sacramento Express to avoid finishing with the Wooden Spoon. Both the Rush and the Express have 2-7 records, but the Express won both head to head matches.
Next week the Rush will be home against Denver and then they travel to Sacramento in their final match of the season.
The San Diego Breakers would like nothing better than to derail the title hopes of the Stampede this week. After a very promising start of the season, they have lost their last five matches and now have a 4-6 record. A win against the Rush or next week against Sacramento would secure third place in the League. Next week they conclude their first PRO Rugby season away at Sacramento.
Look for some highlight tries this week as both back lines attack with a flair. Which team will defend the other teams attacks best?
San Francisco Rush: 1. Codi Jones 2 Jay Finau 3 Patrick Latu (captain) 4 Nick Grass 5 Jeremy Laenaerts 6 Brendan Daly 7 Sam Finau 8 Bill Fukofuka 9 Deveraux Ferris 10 Volney Rouse 11 Pila Longi 12 Orene Ai’i 13 Jack Blevins 14 Michael Haley 15 Martini Talapusi 16 Mone Laulaupeaalu 17 Fancy Namulau’ulu 18 Niko Lolohea 19 Pila Huihui 20 Siupeli Sakalia 21 Jack O’Hara 22 Junior Helu 23 Michael Reid Coaches: Head Coach – Paul Keeler Assistant Coaches: Adriaan Ferris, Simon Fathers
San Diego Breakers: 1 Mason Petersen 2 Joe Taufete’e 3 Jake Ilnicki 4 Ian Carpenter 5 Tai Tuisamoa 6 Bruce Thomas 7 Cecil Garber 8 Chris Turori 9 Charlie Purdon 10 Kalei Konrad 11 Taku Ngwenya 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Pono Haitsuka 15 Mikey Te’o 16 Mikey Sosene-Feagai 17 Epi Kalamani 18 Kakalea Pule 19 Sam Lilley 20 Derrick Broussard 21 Zach Pangelinan 22 Ben Leatigaga 23 Tim Stanfill Coaches: Head Coach – Ray Egan Assistant Coaches: Matt Hawkins, Rob Hoadley Manager: Sean Lindersmith
DJCoil Rugby Match Recaps of Previous Matches
Denver Stampede Corral San Diego Breakers
