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This weekend, the Pacific Rugby Premiership kicks off on their third season of play. The western based competition is made up of the Glendale Raptors, San Francisco Golden Gate, Belmont Shore, Old Mission Bay Athletic Club, Denver Barbarians, Olympic Club, and Santa Monica. The PRP came to being out in the wake of the folding of the Rugby Super League and since their start in 2014 has been the top club level competition in the United States.
Just as in previous seasons, the PRP plays a 12 match season with each team playing each other in a home/away series. The top two teams from the regular season then battle in a one-off Championship match. The Glendale Raptors come into the 2016 season as the reigning champions of the PRP. The Raptors defeated SFGG in the 2015 title match which was a rematch of the 2014 title game in which SFGG was victorious.
The 2016 season should prove to be a test for the PRP as clubs should be without a number of top domestic players for the launch of the Americas Rugby Championship. The ARC is set to be played from February to March. On the back of the ARC comes the launch of PRO Rugby North America, a five team professional competition. PRO has already confirmed teams in San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Diego. Three strongholds for PRP talent. Early word and indications are that a few PRP sides will be stripped of top players that sign with PRO.
After two straight seasons where Glendale and SFGG dominated the competition, there is a good chance that the PRP race in 2016 could be much closer as both Glendale and SFGG project to lose players to PRO. Every PRP should be effected in some way by player migrations. The depth of each club’s squads are tested during the 12-match PRP season and the second half of the season is where the PRP truly begins to separate.
Regardless of how things shake out with the ARC and PRO, the Pacific Rugby Premiership still remains the top club competition in the USA and worthy of keeping an eye on throughout the season.
Week 1 Preview
Belmont Shore at SFGG – The early rounds of the PRP season are just like the early rounds of a boxing match. With roster turnover from year to year the first few matches are critical for setting a tone for the season. This match could be one that lives up to the hype right out of the gate. Both sides have been in the top half of the PRP in the first two seasons. While SFGG brings a much better record from last season, Belmont Shore will be quick to remind them that they handed SFGG a tie last year. SFGG has a number of new faces in their squad, but shouldn’t change the fact that they are always a favorite. Especially at home. Belmont Shore will have to come out strong and hope for early season jitters from their hosts.
Glendale at Olympic Club – The early season West Coast swing is brutal on the two Colorado teams. The launching pad for the Raptor’s success the last two years has been getting off to a great start on the road. The formula is no different this year for Glendale. Come away with 2-3 wins during their four match California road trip and it sets the table for when they go home. Infinity Park has been inhospitable to the Californian teams, so getting back home with a solid record has led to a comfy place atop the PRP standings the first two seasons. Olympic Club has struggled during their time in the PRP. With only four wins in two seasons, they have been at or near the bottom of the table since the beginning of the competition. However, that doesn’t mean the Olympic Club hasn’t been competitive. Especially early in the season. They have shown that they are capable of an upset, so the Raptors need to be wary.
Denver at OMBAC – Unlike Glendale, Denver has struggled to get off on the right foot during their early season road trips. This has led to them playing catch up the rest of the season. While they have made some decent runs, it was always too little too late for the Barbarians. In two seasons, Denver has posted a record of 10-13-1, firmly mid-table. Getting off to a good start is absolutely vital for the Barbarians to make a run towards the top of the standings. OMBAC finished in 4th place in 2015 and nearly snuck into the title match. They are capable of taking down any team on any weekend. Whether they can put together enough of those performances to win the PRP title is the question. Getting off to a good start this weekend against Denver is an important step.
The 2016 Pacific Rugby Premiership season kicks off this Saturday. Stay tuned to Americas Rugby News for a full run down of the PRP action.
