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Ohio will hope to continue where they left off against San Francisco as they begin a two-week road trip at Bonney Field where they take on Sacramento on Sunday. The two sides enter the match with identical 1-1 records with Sacramento earning their victory in Week 1 against San Francisco.
Sacramento return after a week off showing just three changes to the starting side that lost to San Diego in Week 2. Langi Haupeakui gets his first start at no8 as he swaps shirts with Sione Latu. Injury to Harry Bennett means Garrett Brewer will move into the flyhalf position, with Ryan Thompson switching to fullback and Ryan Koewler starting on the wing. Mirco Bergamasco moves one spot inside to allow Nemia Qoro to make his first start at outside center.
Pate Takiveikata moves to the bench, with strapping winger Fatai Vailala set to debut as an impact replacement. Classic Eagles second row Matt Doubek is an unexpected addition to the reserves, joining the team in the absence of Rich Knight who is still on loan to San Francisco.
Paule Barford has predictably made minimal changes to the team that put 51 points up against San Francisco. Chris Kunkel makes his run-on debut at fullback in place of Zac Mizell in the only change to the first XV. Dylan Fawsitt replaces Cam Falcon as reserve hooker, with Ryan McTiernan and Chad Joseph called into the bench. Alex Elkins takes the vacancy as an extra backs repacement.
This promises to be an intriguing encounter as Sacramento hope to avoid the tag of also-rans while Ohio want to prove they are serious contenders. The Sacramento pack are certainly no slouches but the loss of Bennett is significant and much will depend on Brewer’s ability to control the game at first receiver.
Ohio’s strategy will be no secret, they will look to play quickly and get their big outside runners like Spike Davis and Ahmad Harajly into the game early and often. Expect no shortage of entertainment from two willing combatants with an interesting clash of styles.
The match will be broadcast live on cable by ONE World Sport and streamed by AOL.
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 Garrett Brewer 11 Joeli Tikoisuva 12 Mirco Bergamasco 13 Nemia Qoro 14 Ryan Koewler 15 Ryan Thompson
16 Kali Tavake 17 Toke Kefu 18 Estephan Tuamasaga 19 Matt Doubek 20 Sione Latu 21 Jope Motokana 22 Pate Takiveikata 23 Fatai Vailala
OHIO
1 Jamie Mackintosh (capt.) 2 Peter Malcolm 3 Angus MacLellan 4 Pierce Dargan 5 Kyle Baillie 6 Filippo Ferrarini 7 Matt Hughston 8 Sebastián Kalm 9 Shaun Davies 10 JP Eloff 11 Mason Baum 12 Roland Suniula 13 Ahmad Harajly 14 Spike Davis 15 Chris Kunkel
16 Dylan Fawsitt 17 Demecus Beach 18 Ryan McTiernan 19 Dominic Pezzutti 20 Chad Joseph 21 Robbie Shaw 22 Alex Elkins 23 Allan Hanson
Date: Sunday, May 8
Venue: Bonney Field, Sacramento
Kickoff: 17:00 local (18:00 MDT, 20:00 EDT)
Referee: Scott Green
Assistants: Leah Berard & Nick Ricono
Broadcasts: AOL.com (web stream) & ONE World Sport (cable)
Tickets: TicketMaster
