BOULDER, Colo. - The Pacific Rugby Premiership is a day out from the kickoff of its third season, and its first as a USA Rugby-sanctioned competition. Although the Glendale Raptors and SFGG Rhinos are the only two sides to reach the PRP Finals, a few teams just behind them pushed for a spot in the '15 Final, and even the bottom of the league have shown plenty of promise.
Here is a glance at the seven clubs that will fight for two spots in the May 15 Pacific Rugby Premiership Final.
Belmont Shore - 2015 Record: 7-4-1
There is no doubting Belmont Shore has the athletes to run with any side in the PRP, but can they put it all together for an entire season?
"We need to be more consistent with every performance, and we need to put teams away in the green zone with points,' said Shore Coach Ray Egan. "We lacked in depth last year, which we had addressed this year so we hopefully have a squad to go the distance.'
The ageless wonder Peter Sio will again be an unquestioned leader, but he has loads of help in the back line. Fellow center Ed Pitts is one of two team captains, and Eagles Sevens flyer Mike Te'o is always a touch of the ball away from breaking a long run.
Hooker Joe Taufete'e burst onto the scene last year to earn his first international cap at the Rugby World Cup. Belmont is hoping fellow front-rower Brice Shilling can have a similar season this spring.
Key Preseason Results: N/A
Key Additions: Eric Deuchle, Tom Lowe, Mike Meaole, Max Paronelli and Nick Simmons
Key Losses: Ryne Bowden, Peter Dahl, Richie Deadman and Josh Williams
Denver Barbarians - 2015 Record 5-7
In terms of top-end talent, Denver has a few standouts as talented in anyone one in the league. Where the club has lacked, and as a result has cost the Barbarian a few victories, is depth.
Battle neighboring Glendale for a greater player pool is not easy, but a strong family-like culture amongst the club has kept stalwarts like Logan Collins, Maximo de Achaval, and Ata Malifa rejuvenated and continuously seeking improvement.
A major difference maker, but also a major question mark, is Ben Pinkelman. The Denver native and Colorado State All-American is long and athletic, and the Barbarians are much better when he is on the pitch. Unfortunately, given Pinkelman's duties with the Eagles Sevens and Colorado State, it's uncertain how often we will get to see one of America's brightest young players on the pitch for Denver.
Key Preseason Results:
Key Additions: N/A
Key Losses: N/A
Glendale Raptors - 2015 Record: 9-3
The Raptors appeared to be the top outfit in the competition throughout the 2015 season, and that consistency produced the club its first PRP title. Most recently, Glendale hit the road and gave the Seattle Saracens all they could handle in last week's 21-14 Legends Cup showdown.
The addition of Eagles scrum half Niku Kruger has been the Raptors' loudest news of the offseason, but the loss of the team's most underrated back, Dan Flemming, and return of its often overlooked lock, Luke White, are equally significant moves.
"I think we are a very well-balanced team with experience and youth mixed into the team, and we're quite a mobile and fast team,' described Glendale Head Coach Andre Snyman. "We like to play a style that's enjoyable to watch for the fans, and to score tries from anywhere on the pitch.'
Key Preseason Results: L vs. Seattle Saracens (21-14)
Key Additions: Martin Knoetze, Niku Kruger and Lynton Mare
Key Losses: Preston Bryant, Dan Flemming, Ben Tarr, Jake Turnbull and Nick Wallace
Old Mission Beach Athletic Club - 2015 Record: 8-4
Only the Glendale Raptors won more matches than OMBAC last season. Last year's big name signing, Todd Clever, was no doubt an impact player, but was only available for a handful of games. He is back with the Eagles and playing professionally for Newcastle. That leaves OMBAC with only one Clever - reliable lock Chris Clever.
Plenty of mainstays are still in royal blue and white including side-stepping Zach Pangelinan, miss-match threat Shane Moise, and '15 signee Brian Doyle.
Alleviating attention from Pangelinan will be San Diego State All-American Kalei Konrad. Likely to slot at No. 10, Konrad can run, distribute, and just might be the team's top choice for placekicking duties.
Key Preseason Result: W vs. Tempe Old Devils (46-15)
Key Additions: Dustin Bates and Kalei Konrad
Key Losses: Todd Clever
Olympic Club - 2015 Record: 1-11
O-Club has too much talent on its roster, and too much talent from which to recruit in the Bay Area to continue to rest on the doormat of the PRP.
"We are a team that looks to improve week to week,' explained O-Club Coach Eoin O'Toole. "We have been in games or in front in recent years and not managed to close them out, and we need to rectify that.'
To help ensure a move out of the PRP basement, Olympic Club successfully lured in a few '15 Cal graduates including back-row forwards Alec Gletzer and Carl Hendrickson, as well as full back Jake Anderson.
The fresh faces from Berkeley will mesh well with players like Keegan Engelbrecht, Michael Haley, and Colin Hawley, who have taken their lumps with O-Club during the PRP's first two season, but are ready to show they are not the only squad in San Francisco prepared to play for a Championship.
Key Preseason Results: W vs. Central Washington University (19-15)
Key Preseason Additions: Jake Anderson, Alec Gletzer and Carl Handrickson
Key Losses: Dustin Muhn
Santa Monica Dolphins - 2015 Record: 2-9
Of the three southern California sides, Santa Monica is the only one that has yet to identify itself as a PRP Championship contender. The departure of Eagles prop Chris Baumann will not help the cause, but the team's speed No. 1 through 15 is evident and will hopefully equate to plenty of tries.
"Our main goal is to maintain a happy, healthy squad,' said Head Coach Marc Stcherbina of the team's expectations. "If the men are enjoying practice and the club culture, then we're hopeful the results on the field will follow.'
A productive preseason saw the Dolphins go 3-1, and should provide some confidence ahead of its Feb. 6 opener against SFGG Rhinos.
Key Preseason Results: W vs. Pasadena (50-14)
Key Additions: N/A
Key Losses: Chris Baumann
SFGG Rhinos - 2015 Record: 8-2-2
The newly-coined Rhinos were two converted tries from claiming their second PRP title in 2015. While San Francisco has a new name, do not expect of a change in terms of excellence on the pitch.
Once again, World Cup vets Tai Enosa and Volney Rouse bring a calming yet explosive set of skills to the Rhinos' back line. In the forwards, hooker Neill Barrett is incredibly valuable to the set piece, Brendan Daly will again pair with Tom Rooke to form a solid second row, and recent Eagle call up Bruce Thomas is a playmaker at flanker.
"We want to play an expansive attacking style where we have multiple attacking threats across the field,' new Rhino Head Coach Neil Foote said. "We want players to have the freedom to express themselves, but the composure to stay within team patterns.'
Key Preseason Results: W vs. Saint Mary's College (44-3)
Key Additions: Mark Bowers, Adrian Curry, Fernando Dominguez, Kadin Te Nana and Luke Watson
Key Losses: Tim Buchanon, Mahe Fangopa, Brent Hamlin, Pita Moala, Jack Rowntree and Howard Siloto
