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The battle to determine second place will be at Torero Stadium on Sunday, where San Diego host Ohio with each sporting a 2-1 record and hoping to stay close to early pace-setters Denver. San Diego have had no trouble putting points on the board with a stellar backline their most prominent feature, but their defense will be put to the test against a similar high octane attack from Ohio that had Sacramento in fits a week ago.
San Diego have made just two changes to their starting lineup, both in the front row. Joe Taufete’e makes his first PRO start at tighthead prop, with fellow Eagles ARC squad member Mike Sosene-Feagai back in at hooker. Tim Barford moves to the bench with Kakalia Pule and Epeli Kalemani drops out to make room. Belmont Shore lock Ian Carpenter is poised to make his debut as a replacement.
Ohio have also opted not to reinvent the wheel, making three changes, two enforced. A bad shoulder knocks out Peter Malcolm and hands a first start to Dylan Fawsitt at hooker, while Shaun Davies is given a week off as a precaution after taking a bang on the head against Sacramento. Robbie Shaw starts in his place at scrumhalf.
The other change sees Ahmad Harajly moved back to fullback with newcomer Ryan Cochran of Tiger Rugby installed in the midfield. Chris Kunkel drops to a short bench that contains only seven players with Dominic Pezzutti unavailable to make the trip.
If San Diego fail to slow down the quick recycle ball that drives the Ohio attack it could be a tough day at the office for the home side. Two menacing wingers in Mason Baum and Spike Davis – who has a tasty date with Phil Mackenzie lined up – are brutally efficient on front foot ball and the San Diego defense needs to do their best to limit their chances.
Up front the more damaging runners clearly belong to San Diego, with Taufete’e ready to go from the start and both Tai Tuisamoa and Sione Tu’halamaka able to punch holes, but Ohio will strike at any opening if the support falls off and their back row looks a well-oiled machine after only three games. It promises to be a thrilling match full of running rugby, and thankfully will be aired on both ONE World Sport and streamed on the web by AOL Sports.
EDIT: AOL is no longer broadcasting the match, it will be streamed live on the official PRO Rugby site.
SAN DIEGO
1 Hubert Buydens 2 Mike Sosene-Feagai 3 Joe Taufete’e 4 David Dolinar 5 Tai Tuisamoa 6 Chris Turori 7 Cecil Garber 8 Sione Tu’ihalamaka 9 Tom Bliss 10 Kurt Morath 11 Phil Mackenzie (capt.) 12 Andrew Suniula 13 Ryan Matyas 14 Takudzwa Ngwenya 15 Mike Te’o
16 Tim Barford 17 Kakalia Pule 18 Mason Pedersen 19 Nikola Bursic 20 Ian Carpenter 21 Charlie Purdon 22 Kalei Konrad 23 Tim Stanfill
OHIO
1 Jamie Mackintosh (capt.) 2 Dylan Fawsitt 3 Angus MacLellan 4 Pierce Dargan 5 Kyle Baillie 6 Filippo Ferrarini 7 Matt Hughston 8 Sebastián Kalm 9 Robbie Shaw 10 JP Eloff 11 Mason Baum 12 Roland Suniula 13 Ryan Cochran 14 Spike Davis 15 Ahmad Harajly
16 Chris Schade 17 Demecus Beach 18 Chad Joseph 19 Ryan McTiernan 20 Allan Hanson 21 Alex Elkins 22 Chris Kunkel
Date: Sunday, May 15
Venue: Torero Stadium, San Diego
Kickoff: 17:00 local (18:00 MDT, 20:00 EDT)
Referee: Kurt Weaver
Assistants: Nick Ricono & Scott Green
Broadcasts: PRO Rugby (web stream) & ONE World Sport (cable)
Tickets: University of San Diego
