By Josh Fredlund

Pregame notes

San Fran

Brendan Daly, first game coming from San Francisco Golden Gate, playing lock.

Bill Fukofuka, first game from Southland in NZ and Tonga U-20, playing No. 8.

Michael Haley, returning from grad school finals on the wing.

Junior Helu and Devereaux Ferris both returning from injury to the bench.

Denver

Nick Wallace being tested at hooker.

Hanco Germishuys coming off a 2 try debut against Sacramento.

Denver pack took it to San Fran last time, looking for more of the same.

Glendale players returning (Fenoglio, Timoteo, Knoetze, Croy, and Rock)

Other

Denver looking to stay undefeated

San Francisco looking for first win

How would the altitude affect San Francisco’s fitness.

Game Recap – Friday Night Lights

The game started under windy conditions at Glendale Park. Denver kicked off the first half to San Francisco, who promptly knocked it on. Unfortunately, Denver couldn’t capitalize and eventually gave up a penalty just outside their 22m line, right in front of the sticks for Volney Rouse to convert the penalty (3-0 SF). Two penalties from San Francisco resulted in 2 lineouts for Denver, who eventually capitalized on the second and scored a try, courtesy of Zach Fenoglio (7-3 Denver, Magie conversion good). Successive penalties from Denver resulted in the captain Pedrie Wannenburg receiving a yellow card for repeated infringement. San Fran immediately capitalized and scored a try courtesy of Orene Ai’i (10-7 SF, Rouse conversion good). Denver gets a penalty for San Fran not releasing the tackle and Magie converts the penalty evening the score at 10 all. After each team with a scrum at the Denver 5m line, San Fran comes out on top with a try by Pila Longi (17-10 SF, Rouse conversion good). Not long after Luke White gets his second try off a lineout and good passing and phases to the outside (17 all, Magie conversion good). Denver commits another penalty in front of the sticks for Rouse to convert (20-17 SF). With some back and forth action from both teams, eventually on the stroke of half time San Fran leaves the ball open in the ruck, and Chad London picks it up and goes nearly 60 yards virtually untouched for the try (24-20 Denver, Magie conversion good).

Second Half

The second half starts with San Fran kicking to Denver. Denver continues its phases up the field until San Fran is penalized for being offside. Kick to touch from Magie, lineout won by Denver, and try scored off the maul by the large one Casey Rock (31-20 Denver, Magie conversion good). Timanu Tahu made a huge tackle that got the crowd going, unfortunately the referee conferred with the assistant ref and they determined that the tackle was high and was worthy of a yellow card. San Francisco would take advantage of the man-up opportunity and score a try from David Tamielau (31-27 Denver, Rouse conversion good). San Francisco’s number 8 Bill Fukofuka would eventually get a yellow card for repeated infringement. Denver would respond with a try of their own courtesy of Chris Weissing (36-27 Denver, Magie conversion missed). San Francisco soon after converted a penalty kick after Denver was ruled to have turned the scrum (36-30 Denver, Rouse PK good). Chad London would soon after score another try extending Denver’s lead (41-30 Denver, Magie conversion missed). The game seemed to go back and forth with both teams seeming to score at will. San Fran would get a try from Jay Finau to close the gap to 4 points after Rouse’s conversion was good (41-37). Denver must have felt the last 10 minutes of the game must have gone on forever, as they tried to score to put the game away and keep San Francisco from scoring to steal the game. Eventually Denver was able to drag the SF player to touch and the referee blew the final whistle.

Thoughts on the game

San Francisco has really stepped up their game from the first couple of weeks. The altitude didn’t seem to affect them that much; if anything it affected Denver more. The referee seemed to want to make this game about him, as there were some questionable calls both ways. Denver’s MVP is Chad London for his brace. San Francisco’s MVP is Volney Rouse for his kicking and work rate kept SF in the game. If San Francisco can keep up this effort, they might surprise some people.

Scoring

San Francisco

Tries: Ai’i, Longi, Tamielau, Finau

Con: Rouse 4/4

Pen: Rouse 3/3

Denver

Tries: Fenoglio, White, London (2), Weissing, Rock

Con: Magie 4/6

Pen: Magie 1/2

Final Score

Denver 41-37 San Francisco.