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In a huge week of firsts the West Coast kicks things off at Bonney Field in Sacramento on Sunday, as visiting San Francisco look to knock off the hosts in what should be a very physical encounter. Each side features five capped internationals in their starting lineups, with one each among the reserves.
Sacramento come out with all guns loaded to defend their home turf for the first time. Seattle Saracens pair Val Lee-Lo and Olive Kilifi are either side of Canadian international Ray Barkwill in a tough-looking front row. Twin Eagles wing forwards are present in Kyle Sumsion and new skipper John Quill, while Sione Latu wins the first race to no8 over smashing machine Langi Haupeakui.
Jope Motokana gets the nod at scrumhalf head of Chris Saint, and Harry Bennett starts at flyhalf with Garrett Brewer moved to fullback. Mirco Bergamasco is at his preferred outside center spot, and exciting youngster Pate Takiveikata gets first chance at being his partner. Brewer’s position means Ryan Thompson lines up on the left wing, with speed demon Rashad Harbor on the right.
The visitors start out with a mix of youth and experience. US Eagles hooker Tom Coolican starts in the middle of a beefy tight five. Patrick Latu captains the side and begins his own quest for Eagles honors at tighthead, with heavyweight Maka Tameilau at loosehead. Brother David is absent with injury. Eagles ARC flanker Alec Gletzer has his first big test of the season opposite Quill.
Former Eagles cap Volney Rouse gets the first shot at flyhalf, with New Zealand 7s export Orene Ai’i ready to make an impact from the bench. Barkwill’s Canadian comrade Nick Blevins starts at outside center, with Samoan Martini Talapusi on his inside. Michael Haley starts in an unfamiliar place on the wing while Jake Anderson is at fullback with All Black centurion Mils Muliaina still a few weeks away from arriving.
It’s an interesting 4-4 split among the reserves, meaning Jack O’Hara is likely to cover the back row. A new name in one-cap Tongan international Charles Mateo appears on the bench.
The match will be broadcast on cable by ONE World Sport and streamed live online by AOL.com.
SACRAMENTO
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo 2 Ray Barkwill 3 Olive Kilifi 4 Robert Meeson 5 Sione Sina 6 Kyle Sumsion 7 John Quill (capt.) 8 Sione Latu 9 Jope Motokana 10 Harry Bennett 11 Ryan Thompson 12 Pate Takiveikata 13 Mirco Bergamasco 14 Rashad Harbor 15 Garrett Brewer
16 Josh Inong 17 Toke Kefu 18 Kali Tavake 19 Rich Knight 20 Langi Haupeakui 21 Chris Saint 22 Nemia Qoro 23 Ryan Koewler
SAN FRANCISCO
1 Maka Tameilau 2 Tom Coolican 3 Patrick Latu (capt.) 4 Nick Grass 5 Siaosi Mahoni 6 Sam Finau 7 Alec Gletzer 8 Siupeli Sakalia 9 Michael Reid 10 Volney Rouse 11 Jack O’Hara 12 Martini Talapusi 13 Nick Blevins 14 Michael Haley 15 Jake Anderson
16 Jacob Finau 17 Niko Lolohea 18 Fancy Namulau’ulu 19 Isaac Helu 20 Junior Helu 21 Devereaux Ferris 22 Orene Ai’i 23 Charles Mateo
Date: Sunday, April 17
Venue: Bonney Field, Sacramento
Kickoff: 16:00 local (17:00 MDT, 19:00 EDT)
Referee: Nick Ricono
Assistants: Scott Green & George O’Neil
Broadcasts: AOL.com (web stream) & ONE World Sport (cable)
Tickets: Ticketmaster
