Pacific Nations Cup, Bonney Field, Sacramento... Fiji vs. Samoa, USA vs. Japan

Fiji v. Samoa, Pacific Nations Cup, Sacramento

OK. This is not music. It was very, very entertaining though.

Scrum! Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji v. Samoa, Sacramento

Thanks to California State Fair, I was allowed the opportunity to shoot my first professional sports event, last night at Bonney Field, Sacramento's home for Sacramento Republic FC, Sacramento's professional football (soccer) team. The event was a double-header: two matches, part of the Pacific Nations Cup rugby tournament, which plays an important role in preparing these teams for the Rugby World Cup, which will be held in London, England, later this year. First, in daylight, was Fiji v Samoa. Then later in the evening, USA Eagles v Japan.

Fans enjoying the Fiji v. Samoa rugby match, Sacramento

Fans enjoying the USA v. Japan rugby match, Sacramento

Growing up in England, and then living for many years in France, Rugby has always been part of the sports of my environment. We used to joke that American Football was extra padding and protection for people who dared not play Rugby (AKA, rugger)...

Don't yell, I know better now. There are different rules to the sport, for example for tackling (never "off the ball" in Rugby), and tackles can be lower (and potentially more dangerous) in American Football. And American Football seems, to me, to be more of a physical chess-game, while rugby (and Australian-rules football, if you want to get really brutal) is more brute physicality and tenacity. You don't see fat on rugby players.

Tackle! Pacific Nations Cup, Bonney Field, Sacramento 2015

But... Rugby is infinitely more exciting. IMHO, of course.

Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji v. Samoa, Sacramento 2015

The game flows: there are no stops and pauses while teams are changed and players constantly substituted for single plays or moves or even just to kick. Rugby is physical, and it is intense. Yes: it is intensly physical. Early on in the match, I was on the sidelines, shooting, not far from the corner post, and suddenly, both teams were running in that direction. You know on TV, when you see the basketball player run into a photographer when leaping after a ball? That's what I thought was happening, though last night, it wasn't one or two basketball players, it was thirty huge men, all looking something like Dwayne Johnson at the peak of physical training, and all coming to catch the ball and crush me and my cameras. I felt a bit like a rabbit might feel, about to be stampeded by stupendous herd of magnificent bison... luckily, the play stayed inside the pitch. Phew. Adrenaline.

Save some for the others! World Rugby Pacific Nations Cup

The match between Fiji and Samoa last night ended in a draw, and it was the most exciting draw I have ever seen. The final score: 30-30. Despite Rugby not being a mainstream sport here in the USA, Bonney Field had a huge crowd, and the supporters of Fiji and Samoa were wonderful. Later, the USA team, The Eagles, beat Japan, 23-18.

Pacific Nations Cup, Fiji v. Samoa, Sacramento 2015

I have a huge amount to learn about sports photography. While the Fiji vs. Samoa match was played in very bright sunlight (and heat), making high shutter speeds easy, it had strong contrast and harsh highlights. The USA vs Japan match was after sunset, under floodlights, and the light is low, making a really fast, long lens essential (I was not equipped for that). You need high shutter speed: even at 500, I had some blur. You have to pan the movement, follow the plays, (or just sit in one spot and wait for that one shot). I didn't do well with depth-of-field: I want more bokeh. It really helps to know the sport; having become accustomed to American Football (and other USA sports') constant time outs, I missed a few plays, forgetting that rugby and football/soccer just get on with it, unless someone's injured or it's half time.

Pacifric Nations Cup, USA v Japan, Bonney Field, Sacramento

Yes, I'd love to do this again. Next time, I'll rent that extra-long, really fast, expensive lens plus a couple of extenders... In the meantime, I'm going to practice, and look at the best sports photography out there.

Pacific Nations Cup, Bonney Field, Sacramento, 2015

Many more photos from the Fiji versus Samoa match: click here.
All the photos from the USA versus Japan match: click here for the full gallery.

Pacifric Nations Cup, USA v Japan, Bonney Field, Sacramento

For other music/concert photographers considering sports photography: here are the big differences, once you are credentialed to shoot the event:

- there's no "three plays, no flash" rule: you cover the full game or match
- you have sideline access (with restricted areas, such as the players' box)
- you'll need the longest and fastest lens in your bag (or from BorrowLenses or similar): don't be surprised to feel lens envy when you see that guy carrying the Camera That Must Weigh Sixty Pounds
- no-one's going to give you eye contact or play for the camera; you have to capture the moment with no help from the "performer"
- you might want to take out insurance against being squished...

Pregame ritual: dance!

And the similarity: it's all for love of the game, or the sport, or the music. If it wasn't for who is putting on the show, we wouldn't be there taking pictures. I hope these images have captured just a little of what was, for me, a wonderful opportunity to try something very different... and a wonderful, exciting event at Bonney Field!

Pregame ritual, jump!