July 22, 2016
San Francisco Rush vs Denver Stampede Preview
Photo: PRO Rugby
Doug Coil
The San Francisco Rush host the Denver Stampede on Sunday July 24 at 3 pm PT at Boxer Stadium. Tickets may be obtained by clicking on SFvDEN. For those that can’t be at the event, the match is being streamed at prorugby.org.
Both the Denver Stampede and the San Francisco Rush are meeting after wins last week. The Denver Stampede beat the Sacramento Express 59-13 on the strength of nine tries, while the San Francisco Rush beat the San Diego Breakers 50-26.
The Stampede enters this match with a 9-1 record and trail the Ohio Express for first place by 1 point with a game at hand, 42 to 41. With a win, the League title will be decided next week on July 31, when Denver travels to Ohio.
The San Francisco Rush have won three of their last five matches. They have an opportunity to challenge the Breakers for third place in the League should they win against Denver and the following week at Sacramento.
The match will feature two accurate kickers as Volney Rouse is second in the League with 110 points to Kurt Morath’s 113. Will Magie is in third with 102 points.
Last week also saw Zach Fenoglio move into third place for try scorers with his seventh try.
The Denver Stampede have been a good defensive side, but they have been on an offensive tear the last few weeks. As such, they have made only two changes to their starting XV. Nick Wallace starts at loose head prop with Benn Tarr moving to tight head. Chris Baumann will be a reserve.
In the backs, Martin Knoetze will be at wing, with Timana Tahu moving to center and Ata Malifa at fullback. Max de Achaval is not on the roster this week. In the reserves, Brodie Orth and Casey Rock are available, along with John Godinet.
The San Francisco Rush has made one change to their starting XV. Martini Talapusi is not on the 23 man squad. A game time decision will be made whether Mils Miliana will start at fullback. Should his leg injury be a consideration, then Jake Anderson will start.
The Rush have made some reserve changes as Isaac Helu is back after an injury and Neill Barrett is also on the squad after a week’s absence. Should Miliana start, then Jake Anderson will be a reserve. If Anderson starts, then another player will be added to the reserve prior to the match.
Look for an offensive explosion in this match. Both teams have important matches next week, but they can’t look ahead as the final standings could be impacted by this week’s result.
I can’t wait to view the steam of the match. Anyone who is in the San Francisco area, should not miss this key match.
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 Mils Muliaina/Jake Anderson 16 Mone Laulaupeaalu 17 Neill Barrett 18 Fancy Namulau’ulu 19 Isaac Helu 20 Siupeli Sakalia 21 Jake Anderson/TBA 22 Junior Helu 23 Michael Reid Coaches: Head Coach – Paul Keeler Assistant Coaches: Adriaan Ferris, Simon Fathers
Denver Stampede: 1 Nick Wallace 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Ben Tarr 4 Logan Collins 5 Luke White 6 Hanco Germishuys 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrei Wannenburg (C) 9 Mose Timateo 10 Will Magie 11 Martin Knoetze 12 Timana Tahu 13 Chad London 14 Mike Garrity 15 Ata Malifa 16 Chris Baumann 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Brodie Orth 19 Christian Wiessing 20 Casey Rock 21 Bobby Impson 22 Kyle Hitt 23 John Godinet Coaches: Head Coach – Sean O’Leary, Assistant Coaches: Peter Borlase, David Williams Manager: Kieran Browner
DJCoil Rugby Match Preview
Denver Stampede Derail Sacramento Express
