This weekend in the Pacific Rugby Premiership is highlighted by a double-header an Infinity Park
Denver vs. SFGG
The second leg of the Naqica Cup, played in honor of "Papa" Sitiveni Naqica, will be contested this weekend as Denver hosts SFGG at Infinity Park. When these two teams met in the second week of the season SFGG came away with a convincing 23-9 win. Since then SFGG has continued to win and are 4-0. Denver picked up their first win over the season last week over Olympic Club.
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This will be the first time all year that SFGG has played away from Treasure Island while it will be the first time Denver has played in Denver. That could be a huge factor in the match. SFGG has traveled well in the past but this will be the first time players will have to adjust to altitude, staying in a hotel, etc. Even with the travel SFGG still should be favored in the match. Denver might contest that, especially after they looked good against Olympic Club. The Barbarians have the pieces to be a very good team but for some reason haven't been able to put it together. How they come out against SFGG will be a good barometer of how their season might shake out.
Glendale vs. OMBAC
The second match of the double-header at Infinity Park will see the Raptors host OMBAC. Glendale are coming off their big win over Santa Monica and will want to keep that momentum going against OMBAC. The Raptors backline has been especially dangerous this year and playing at home seemed to energize them last week. Still, OMBAC have strong backs of their own, led by MVP candidate Zach Pangelinan. He's been everywhere for the club this season and his veteran leadership could prove key as OMBAC try to pick off points. Glendale have given up points this season and if OMBAC can strike early they may cause an upset. OMBAC are coming off a bye week after their match against Belmont was postponed.
Santa Monica vs. Olympic Club
Like SFGG, this will be the first time Olympic Club will have left the Bay Area this season. O-Club has steadily improved this year but still have yet to earn that first win. Scoring increased to its highest production since week one against the Barbarians last week. The play of fly-half Keegan Engelbrecht has a lot to do with that. Santa Monica has always been a top scoring side this year, led by both Dave Martini and Mathieu Lesgourgues. If they can continue to score like they have in previous weeks they should be favored in the match. That said, Olympic Club has a solid front-row that could be big trouble for the Dolphins.