The Denver Stampede were an American rugby union team that played in the short lived PRO Rugby competition. The Stampede was one of the five teams that began play in PRO Rugby's 2016 inaugural season. The team played its home matches at the University of Denver's CIBER Field. The team was led by head coach Sean O'Leary and captain Pedrie Wannenburg.
History Reports began circulating as early as November 2015 that Denver would host a PRO Rugby team when the competition's inaugural season kicked off in April 2016."Professional rugby team planned for Denver", Denver Business Journal, Monica Mendoza, November 18, 2015. PRO Rugby officially announced on February 26, 2016 that Denver would be the competition's fifth team."Denver Lands Final PRO Rugby Team", This Is American Rugby, February 26, 2016. Denver's first officially announced player signing was South African international Pedrie Wannenburg."Pedrie set for American stint", SA Rugby Mag, March 6, 2016.
Denver hosted Ohio in the first ever PRO Rugby match on April 17, 2016, winning 16–13 at Infinity Park on a late penalty kick from flyhalf Will Magie."Sacramento and Denver win as PRO Rugby opens in snow and sunshine", Guardian, April 18, 2016. PRO Rugby revealed the team's nickname — the Denver Stampede — on June 6, 2016, a reference to Colorado's western theme; this name beat two other final candidates: the Peak (also a mountain western theme) and the Vipers."PRO Rugby Unveils Team Names" , This Is American Rugby, June 6, 2016.
On December 20, 2016 all PRO Rugby players received notice their contracts will be terminated in 30 days if progress is not made towards resolving disputes between the league and USA Rugby.
Stadia Infinity Park (April – May 2016) CIBER Field (June – July 2016)
Denver began its inaugural 2016 season playing at Infinity Park. Denver moved to CIBER Field, however, during the 2016 season; this move allowed PRO Rugby to live steam all matches on prorugby.org, and had superior financial considerations."PRO Rugby leaves AOL and Infinity Park", Americas Rugby News, May 24, 2016.
Current players and staff Current roster
The squad for the 2016 PRO Rugby season:
Denver rosterProps Chris Baumann Soane Leger Ben Tarr Jake Turnbull Nick Wallace Luke White
Hookers Zach Fenoglio
Locks Ben Landry Brodie Orth Casey Rock Christian WiessingLoose forwards Logan Collins Peter Dahl Hanco Germishuys Gannon Moore Zac Pauga Pedrie Wannenburg (c) Lynton Mare
Scrum-halves Bobby Impson Niku Kruger Mose Timoteo
Fly-halves Will Magie Ata Malifa Armandt PeensCenters Michael Garrity Chad London Justin Pauga Brian Wanless
Wingers Michael Al-Jiboori Martin Knoetze Timana Tahu
Fullbacks Dustin Croy Maximo de Achaval (c) Denotes team captain, Bold denotes internationally capped.
Current coaches Position Name Head coach Sean O'Leary Assistant coach Peter Borlase Assistant coach David Williams"David Williams Named as Denver Assistant Coach", Americas Rugby News, March 9, 2016. Technical advisor André Snyman General manager Kieran Browner"U.S. professional rugby to lift off without Olympic stars", ESPN, April 15, 2016.
Season summaries + Season-by-season results Season Played Won Drawn Lost Points for Points Against Points Diff Bonus Points Points Position Details 2016 12 10 0 2 403 273 +130 8 48 1 / 5 2016 Denver Stampede season
Leading players Season Captain Most tries Most points 2016 Pedrie Wannenburg Zach Fenoglio (6) Will Magie (88)
Head coaches Coach Tenure Matches Won Drawn Lost Winning PercentageSean O'Leary 2016 12 10 0 2 83.3%
See also Sports in Denver
References