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Denver have a chance to get back on the winning end as they host Sacramento at CIBER Field on Sunday. The Express are now sole occupants of the basement on the PRO table, and must produce an inspired performance in Colorado if they are to revive their season heading towards the final weeks. Of note is that neither team has named a full complement on the bench as of yet, with player availability proving a challenge this week.
Helping Sacramento’s cause is the addition of Eagles prop Eric Fry, who makes his first PRO appearance after joining this week from Newcastle Falcons. With Langi Haupeakui called up to make his test debut it’s Kyle Sumsion who will play no8 this week, and it’s an interesting mix with Ryan Koewler and Kali Tavake packing down on the flank. Koewler was originally slated to play wing this season but has reverted to his collegiate position of the back row, while Tavake has been largely seen as a versatile front row option.
Harry Bennett makes a very welcome return from injury at flyhalf, pushing Mirco Bergamasco back to his accustomed midfield spot. Ryan Thompson starts on one wing and Cody Jerabek earns his first PRO start on the other. Syracuse flyhalf Alex Hodgkinson is set to make his professional debut from the bench. One forward is yet to be named, presumably a front row though Tavake’s versatility could also allow for a loose forward instead.
Denver field a new second row in Logan Collins and Brodie Orth, and Zac Pauga gets his first start of the season. Timana Tahu moves into the midfield to replace Chad London, away on Eagles duty, and Dustin Croy steps in on the wing. Three more bodies are required on the bench, a somewhat bizarre state of affairs given Denver’s large squad numbers and with several local clubs to draw from.
This looks to be a combative match with both sides looking a bit patchy. Fry and Bennett are important additions to the Sacramento side but it’s hard not to wonder about their back row. Despite some notable absentees Denver still look the stronger side on paper, though their fortunes could well rest on whether they can find some reserve forwards front up in the later stages of the game.
DENVER STAMPEDE
1 Nick Wallace 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Soane Leger 4 Logan Collins 5 Brodie Orth 6 Zac Pauga 7 Hanco Germishuys 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.) 9 Mose Timoteo 10 Will Magie 11 Dustin Croy 12 Ata Malifa 13 Timana Tahu 14 Mike Garrity 15 Maximo de Achaval
16 AN Other 17 Luke White 18 Jake Turnbull 19 AN Other 20 Lynton Mare 21 Bobby Impson 22 AN Other 23 Michael Al-Jiboori
SACRAMENTO EXPRESS
1 Valdemar Lee-Lo 2 Cameron Falcon 3 Eric Fry 4 Robert Meeson 5 Sione Sina 6 Ryan Koewler 7 Kali Tavake 8 Kyle Sumsion 9 Chris Saint 10 Harry Bennett 11 Cody Jerabek 12 Mirco Bergamasco (capt.) 13 Nemia Qoro 14 Ryan Thompson 15 Garrett Brewer
16 AN Other 17 Estephan Tuamasaga 18 Olive Kilifi 19 Matt Doubek 20 Sione Latu 21 Jope Motokana 22 Pate Takiveikata 23 Alex Hodgkinson
Date: Sunday, June 26
Venue: CIBER Field, Denver
Kickoff: 15:00 local (14:00 PDT, 17:00 EDT)
Referee: Scott Green
Assistants: Leah Berard & Marc Nelson
Broadcasts: PRO Rugby (web stream)
Tickets: TicketsWest
