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The second game on the PRO Rugby docket this weekend sees the Denver Stampede travel to sunny San Francisco to attempt to re-take the iron throne on top of the league standings. Trailing Ohio by only a single point, a big win would give Denver a psychological boost ahead of next week’s de facto grand final against the Aviators in Obetz.
After decimating San Diego in their finest performance of the season last weekend, the Rush have left their team intact with only two changes. Bill Fukofuka returns after a late decision to start Siupeli Sakalia against the Breakers. If Mils Muliaina passes a late fitness test he will start at fullback, with Jake Anderson bracketed as the alternative. A change on the bench sees Neil Barrett replace injured prop Niko Lolohea, while Isaac Helu returns to cover the back row instead of Jack O’Hara.
Denver have rotated their front row with Ben Tarr moving to his preferred tighthead position and Nick Wallace getting a run out at loosehead. Chris Baumann moves to the bench, where there are three second row subs in Brodie Orth, Casey Rock, and Christian Wiessing, though the latter is also comfortable on the flank. Max de Achaval is out so Ata Malifa starts at fullback with Timana Tahu bumping into the midfield and Martin Knoetze starting on the wing. John Godinet is recalled to the bench, capable of covering in both the backs and loose forwards.
While earlier this season this would have looked a walk in the park for Denver, the resurgence of San Francisco makes this one a bit more interesting. If the Rush can sneak an upset win it could put them in striking range of San Diego’s third spot pending the outcome of the match in Sacramento. The Stampede of course will be out to win, but next week’s match will be the title decider regardless of the result. Their last meeting went 41-37 in favor of Denver. Look for another close match with San Francisco a real shot at taking it this time.
SAN FRANCISCO RUSH
1 Codi Jones 2 Jacob Finau 3 Patrick Latu 4 Nick Grass 5 Jérémy Lenaerts 6 Brendan Daly 7 Sam Finau 8 Bill Fukofuka 9 Devereaux Ferris 10 Volney Rouse (capt.) 11 Pila Iongi 12 Orene Ai’i 13 Nick Blevins 14 Michael Haley 15 Mils Muliaina
16 Neil Barrett 17 Saimone Laulaupea’alu 18 Fancy Namulau’ulu 19 Siupeli Sakalia 20 Isaac Helu 21 Michael Reid 22 Junior Helu 23 Jake Anderson
DENVER STAMPEDE
1 Nick Wallace 2 Zach Fenoglio 3 Ben Tarr 4 Luke White 5 Logan Collins 6 Hanco Germishuys 7 Peter Dahl 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.) 9 Mose Timoteo 10 Will Magie 11 Martin Knoetze 12 Timana Tahu 13 Chad London 14 Mike Garrity 15 Afa Malifa
16 Chris Baumann 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Brodie Orth 19 Casey Rock 20 Christian Wiessing 21 Bobby Impson 22 Kyle Hitt 23 John Godinet
Date: Sunday, July 24
Venue: Boxer Stadium, San Francisco
Kickoff: 15:00 local (16:00 MDT, 18:00 EDT)
Referee: Leah Berard
Assistants: Scott Green & George O’Neil
Broadcasts: PRO Rugby (web stream) & ONE World Sport (cable)
Tickets: TicketsWest
