PRO Week 5 – Sacramento vs Denver

Denver return from a week’s vacation to take a short trip to Sacramento, where they look to continue their unbeaten start to the season at Bonney Field on Sunday. Despite several absentees their pack remains formidable, though they will come up against their toughest challenge to date in a Sacramento tight five that has given little quarter in their opening matches.

There are no changes to the Sacramento pack and only two in the backs. Pate Takiveikata moves into the flyhalf role with Garrett Brewer dropping back to fullback, while Shane Moore arrives from Seattle Saracens to see his first PRO action on the wing in place of Ryan Koewler. Ronald Dwyer of the EPA Razorbacks also joins the team and takes the place of Jope Motokona as reserve scrumhalf.

Denver have released eight players to play for the Glendale Raptors in the Pacific Rugby Premiership Grand Final, including five who dressed in the game against San Diego. Zach Fenoglio, Casey Rock, Peter Dahl, Martin Knoetze, and Mose Timoteo are all absent. Nick Wallace starts at hooker, Logan Collins moves to lock, Gannon Moore gets a first start on the flank and Hanco Germishuys arrives from Junior All-American duty to take a spot on the other side of the scrum.

Another change in the front row sees Ben Tarr shifted across to loosehead and Chris Baumann making his first start at tighthead. The backs are identical with the exception of Mike Garrity in place of Knoetze on the wing. Giant prop Soane Leger joins the bench where Brodie Orth also sits, with Justin Pauga and Michael Al-Jiboori added as backline reserves.

While the scrum battle will no doubt be influential, the difference in this match could well be the control of Denver halfbacks Niku Kruger and Will Magie, who look to have an advantage in the kicking department over counterparts Chris Saint and Pate Takiveikata. Denver also have some big, strong runners in the wide spaces while Sacramento’s attack is more geared for speed. This has all the makings of a good old-fashioned slobber-knocker, with the winner the one who rises highest from the dirt.

As of the time of writing there is no live broadcast planned for this match.

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 Langi Haupeakui 9 Chris Saint 10 Pate Takiveikata 11 Joeli Tikoisuva 12 Mirco Bergamasco 13 Nemia Qoro 14 Shane Moore 15 Garrett Brewer

16 Kali Tavake 17 Toke Kefu 18 Estephan Tuamasaga 19 Matt Doubek 20 Sione Latu 21 Ronald Dwyer 22 Ryan Thompson 23 Ryan Koewler

DENVER
1 Ben Tarr 2 Nick Wallace 3 Chris Baumann 4 Logan Collins 5 Christian Wiessing 6 Gannon Moore 7 Hanco Germishuys 8 Pedrie Wannenburg (capt.) 9 Niku Kruger 10 Will Magie 11 Timana Tahu 12 Ata Malifa 13 Chad London 14 Mike Garrity 15 Maximo de Achaval

16 Luke White 17 Jake Turnbull 18 Soane Leger 19 Brodie Orth 20 Brian Wanless 21 Justin Pauga 22 Michael Al-Jiboori 23 Bobby Impson

Date: Sunday, May 8
Venue: Bonney Field, Sacramento
Kickoff: 15:00 local (16:00 MDT, 18:00 EDT)
Referee: Leah Berard
Assistants: Derek Summers & Marc Nelson
Broadcasts: n/a
Tickets: TicketMaster