BYU Rugby on BYU Television!

While I have yet to post on this weekend's successes and implications, nevertheless in the meantime, check out the BYU Rugby team in action this past Saturday against the Utah State Aggies (click the following link, and choose "Saturday, March 28, 2009" in the program browser; then scroll down to select "College Rugby" in the 7:30 pm time slot):

BYU vs. Utah St.

And be sure to watch the match sooner rather than later, since it will only be online for 2 weeks!

Cheers!
Read more...

BYU RUGBY 2009: Official Trailer - HD version!

Our camera man, Ben Thompson, just uploaded a High Def version of the highlight video trailer to youtube... let's just say that High Definition is amazing!!! (Remember, a $50 donation to the video project will guarantee you a copy in HD!)

View the video here, or to view full screen, click this link, select "HD" at the bottom of the player, full-screen it, and enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sToOL-oa4Q4

Read more...

BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009: Official Trailer!

Without further delay, BYU Rugby Forever is proud to present the Official Trailer for the upcoming BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009! Enjoy, and feel free to share this video with your fellow fans, friends, and family!



Remember, all donations to this project will go toward subsidizing the production costs. My new goal is to raise $1,000 by April 15, two days before the BYU Rugby team plays in the Sweet 16! My sincerest thanks goes out to those who have already donated a grand total of $210! We're already a fifth of the way there! Thank you so much for your support!!! Not only will this money help subsidize my initial investment in the project, but it will also allow my camera crew to make the trip to Atlanta to film the team in National Tournament play! And a special thanks to Ben Thompson and Micah Brown for all their great filming thus far...

Please donate now to support in this great effort, to give Our team a much-deserved memento and quality bit of recognition for their hard work to become BYU's greatest sports team! Please offer a small token of support with a donation of $50 or $20 or whatever you can... just click the "Donate" button located on the sidebar to submit your contribution securely and easily online. In return for your generosity, you will receive a DVD or Blu-ray copy of the final product with my compliments.

Thank you. I have sacrificed much for this honor to become a reality... and it has all been worth it. I invite you to join with me in this rewarding effort as we witness Our team again approach the pinnacle of collegiate rugby! BYU Rugby Forever!

Read more...

A seconds' weekend: BYU dominates on all sides!

Folks, I'm giving this weekend to the BYU Rugby secondary for the shows that they put on against UVU, a 108-12... uhhh... what should I call it? ... merciless shellacking?, and against Boise State, an 86-5 drubbing the following day...

Now, while I do have to admit that there were some starters on the field at the beginning of both matches (e.g. Steve St. Pierre and Mikey Su'a), nevertheless they always get a bunch of credit from me anyway... But, as far as I could tell, the second halves of both matches were run completely by BYU's backup players. So let's talk about the seconds here instead!

First on my list: BYU's freshman recruits. Yes, most of us have already heard of Paul Lasike, Kyle Sumsion, and Jordan Lowry... This weekend, however, most all of the other freshmen got to show their stuff with strong performances by Daniel Selman, Dave Rowley, Jace Chambers, Austin Allred, Dexter Allred, Collin Bush, and Taylor Will (did I forget anyone?). Keep up the good work boys, and keep on learning those rugby essentials. We're glad to have so many of you doing so well!

Second: BYU's more experienced secondary. I was happy to see many familiar faces returning to the pitch this weekend, some returning from injury (e.g. Rob Burton and Sam Thorley) and others just gaining more experience (e.g. Tupu Folau, Moana Hafoka, Sean Howard, Ryan Murri, and Sam Wolthius). Nice job, fellas! Although the gameplay was definitely not the prettiest (especially that of the Boise State match), hopefully it was still a good opportunity to gain experience...

Third and finally: Those playing rugby for the first time. A pat on the back... Keep at it, and before you know it, rugby will become a part of you! BYU Rugby has a high standard, so you still have a lot to learn... But with sufficient desire and an attitude of optimism, you'll one day get to personally and directly experience a National Tournament as well!

Let's just keep rolling to finish out the season this weekend against Utah and Utah State! Work hard, and tear it up, boys!!!

Leave all the worry about getting the fans pumped up to me... BYU Rugby Forever, I am!!!

Read more...

ESPNU 'Game of the Week' tickets

My good BYU Rugby friends and fans,

If you are not yet aware, BYU will play Utah at home this coming Friday, March 28th, at 7 PM...

This grudge match, however, isn't just the usual rivalry fixture between the Cougars and the Utes... no, this time something bigger is on the line: the chance to show up the opposition on national television!

ESPNU will be airing a tape-delayed broadcast of the match on April 7th at 7 PM, Mountain Time (assuming the BYU Rugby website has the correct info)... but who among us really wants to wait a week and a half to watch this showdown? Wouldn't you like to be there in person (maybe even get on TV) and cheer on Our boys in a noble display of your fanhood? And all you alumni, wouldn't you like to be there in person to witness the halftime tribute to your part in the BYU Rugby legacy???

I know I'm going to be there... I already went to the Marriott Center ticket office and bought the sweetest seats in the house just for the occasion! But, in talking to some dedicated fans at tonight's match, I realized that many fans not living in Provo (even our vengeful, non-BYU-fan Utes) would rather buy advance tickets online than go through the inconvenience of going to the Marriott Center or waiting in a long line at the gate...

The only problem is... the ticket office website doesn't seem to provide any easily visible or accessible way to buy tickets to the game! Hmmm... a conspiracy against the increasingly popular BYU Rugby team??? Perhaps...

But of course, that is why you need BYU Rugby Forever to save the day! I ran into the same problem when I searched for a means to buy reserved tickets earlier this week... but in checking and bumbling around the website just now, I happened upon the 'hidden' link to end all misfortune:

http://ev9.evenue.net/cgi-bin/ncommerce3/SEGetEventInfo?ticketCode=GS%3ABYU%3AO09%3ARUG%3A&linkID=byu&shopperContext=&caller=&appCode=

So there you have it... as long as you are inquisitive enough to have found and perused this blog, you now have the means necessary to join the 'BYU Rugby Super Fans' (don't worry, you'll see what I mean) at the upcoming ESPNU 'Game of the Week'!

Be there in person to support BYU's greatest sports team as they step briefly into the national spotlight... that extra bit of recognition which we have all been longing and fighting for!

Read more...

BYU Rugby Fanhood Test #1

Hey BYU Rugby fans! There always comes a time when each and every one of us must 'prove our grit' so to speak... Well, that time is now!

Take a moment, and see if you've got enough BYU Rugby fanhood to pass this little test (no cheating allowed!). Post your answers in a reply to this post (without looking at the answers given by others), and the first person to correctly answer all ten questions will receive a "BYU Rugby Super Fan" shirt, compliments of BYU Rugby Forever.


1. Name at least five players on the current BYU Rugby starting lineup.

2. In what year was the BYU Rugby team founded?

3. Name at least one of the BYU Rugby coaches and his nation of origin.

4. Have you donated to the Cougar Rugby Foundation this year?

5. How many National Tournament appearances (at least Sweet 16) has the BYU Rugby team made in the last five years?

6. How many BYU Rugby matches, home or away, have you attended in the last two years?

7. Do you already have your tickets to the upcoming ESPNU Game of the Week against Utah?

8. Name at least three All-Americans and one US Eagle that played for the BYU Rugby team.

9. Have you already donated to the BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009 effort?

10. Who does the BYU Rugby team play this coming weekend?

If you can confidently and positively answer all these questions, then I congratulate you on being a true BYU Rugby fan of unquestionable fanhood!

If not... well... there's still a chance for you to become converted. Come to a game; check out the BYU Rugby website; or send me a message... everyone can become a BYU Rugby fan!

Now, for those of you who found this test to be too easy... you have my deep respect. I can only ask for your continued support in making BYU the #1 collegiate rugby program in the nation and in converting dozens of fans along the way...

Thank you to all you devoted fans of the BYU Rugby team; may success ever be our goal!

Read more...

BYU vs. Wyoming photos

Check the following link for the latest photos from the BYU Rugby team's impressive win over the Wyoming Cowboys, courtesy of Paul Meyers (comments on the new jerseys, anyone???).

BYU vs. Wyoming


Read more...

BYU Rugby wallops Wyoming

A perfect, crisp spring evening... A fresh, new pitch... A new stadium packed near capacity... Last Saturday represented every BYU Rugby player's dream come true. And the team certainly rose to the occasion, decisively thrashing #22 Wyoming, 73-3.

Only one word can describe the BYU Rugby team's routing of Wyoming: RELENTLESS! Again, there was talk that the opponent of the week might put up a fight. After all, they had beaten Utah in the preseason, 24-20, and had put up 37 points on #1-ranked Cal Berkeley this season (no one else has put up more than 20 so far). Nevertheless, BYU again removed all doubt with a decisive victory over a ranked team... the victim of the week being Wyoming.

As always, I must still give credit to the opposition where it's due. Wyoming, in spite of a sad first half, managed to stifle a number of BYU scoring attempts in the second half. Kudos to their defense for not giving up; BYU has tended to rip opponents wide open in the second half, running up the score as the defense crumbles. Wyoming, however, rallied in the second half and actually fended off many of BYU's frequent threats to keep the scoring more balanced than in previous matches.

Another credit goes to Wyoming for actually showing up to play as planned... I can't offer the same to Penn State or Colorado who both backed out of their commitment to play BYU on short notice. Both good programs? Yes... but every team has to take a few on the chin every once in a while. Just suck it up and take it (ask the BYU football team; they know what I mean!).

Finally, the majority of my praise goes to Our boys for putting on a great show in their first South Field appearance. No slow start this time, folks... No siree! BYU started the scoring quickly like never before (the scoreboard clock showed approximately 37:30, i.e. only about two and a half minutes had elapsed). And, drawing upon my previously mentioned buzzword, the BYU team as a whole was relentless in their offensive attack of the Wyoming line. It seemed like all the players were running the ball and driving it downfield throughout the entire match. I don't know if the high energy level was due to the new, hypnotic striped jerseys, excess of fans, or what exactly, but the players did not let up at any time.

Perhaps this over anxiousness was also their only weakness. A number of dropped balls from bad passes and knock-ons, as well as a fair amount of penalties, nullified several fast-paced drives that would have run up the score nearer to one-hundred points! But the BYU defense obviously didn't allow much retaliation anyway (not that Wyoming ever got to the point of formulating a solid attack). So, oh well, maybe this weekend against UVU or Boise State we will see an even more ridiculous score...

Good work fellas; that was one of the most exciting home games I have attended in a long time (the crowd of almost 2,000 people definitely added to the ambiance!). Just keep it up and, before you know it, we'll all be heading back to the Big Dance for the fourth year in a row!

Read more...

BYU Rugby... #1 in the Nation???

As I consider myself the BYU Rugby team's #1 fan, one might expect me to be 'over the top' biased, unceasingly touting the team's greatness and status as the #1 team in the country...

I do believe that the day when BYU rises to #1 is soon at hand... but, I am nevertheless realistic in my hopes and perhaps am even more critical of the team than the average fan. Until that glorious day comes, Cal Berkeley continues to sit comfortably atop the college rugby throne, 24 of the last 29 National Titles under its belt.


This season looks to be no different, in terms of national rankings, than the previous few years: BYU has ascended to and maintained the #2 position behind Cal. Both teams have strong schedules and have put up solid point margins over their opposition. Nothing new there.

Now take yesterday's bold headline on eRugbyNews.com: "DI Top 25 - New Men's No. 1: BYU jumps above Cal after a superb result against Utah."

All I can say is, "Come on Goff, are you serious?" "What's the motivation for making such a rash claim?" "BYU at #1? Honestly???" Brother, if you're just trying to make a splash, well... you did!

I'm afraid I can't award Alex Goff (eRugbyNews.com author) any brownie points on this one. Unsubstantiated sensationalism doesn't mean much to those who have any glimpse of the real picture. Just take a look at AmericanRugbyNews.com's most recent Top 25; hmmm, I'm not seeing any crazy claims up there at the top of their list...

So why the #1 ranking, Mr. Goff? Are you privy to some news tidbit that no one else has yet uncovered? Did the whole starting lineup for Cal die in a plane crash or what??? Please do tell those of us still grounded here on planet Earth this big revelation of yours!!!

I think I speak for many fans in saying instead, "thanks, but I prefer seeing things as they really are." The fact is that, since 2006, Cal has solidly held the #1 seat in the nation, and BYU has similarly held the #2 seat... no questions asked.

So what will it take for BYU to grab the #1 ranking in the future? Well folks, it's not rocket science... BYU just needs to beat Cal, plain and simple. Then nobody, not even a misguided rugby critic, will be able to claim otherwise... and until that day arrives, we faithful fans will keep hoping and praying and supporting Our boys of the BYU Rugby team... BYU Rugby Forever!

Read more...

Photos, photos, photos: Wasatch Cup 2009!

Here are the latest photos of the BYU rugby team in their dominating Wasatch Cup victory over the Utah Utes! Also, click the other two links to see photos of the team in action against the Denver Barbarians (all photos courtesy of Paul Meyers). Enjoy!

Wasatch Cup 2009: BYU vs. Utah

BYU 1st XV vs Denver Barbarians

BYU 2nd XV vs Denver Barbarians


Read more...

Wasatch Cup 2009: Thoughts

Well, folks... I don't even know where to begin. Seriously, I don't... I was actually about to post some pregame thoughts and predictions early Saturday morning, but I'm glad I didn't! I had thought that a match-up between the #2 and #4 teams in the nation would have been crazy enough to call, but what to think, say, or do when both of these are the BYU and Utah rugby teams???

And what a sweet game it was against Utah! Our boys mopped them up like never before... 59-15! Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and staff on this fantastic win over Utah! (What happened to Utah anyway?)


In previous Wasatch Cup meetings, tensions have run pretty high for the duration of the entire game; it's just a given fact, regardless of either team's record, talent, standing, and etc. And the scoreboard usually reflects such (e.g. the 2007 Wasatch Cup match at Utah, a 21-20 win for BYU).

This time around, however, the game was rather tense for only the first twenty minutes or so. A lot of flip-flopping from missed tackles, bad passes/knock-ons, and overcommitments allowed for some scoring on both sides of the ball. But after that point, BYU took Utah to the clinic... really... five tries to none in the second half is about as demoralizing as it gets!

I don't mean to say that BYU looked perfect throughout the rest of the game, but they decisively stuck it to the Utah defense with coordinated passing plays and a touch of the usual, make-you-miss juking. BYU's backline stole the spotlight with great plays by Dylan Lubbe, Paul Lasike, Vito Qaqa, and Manti Su'a. Mention must also be made of freshman Jordan Lowry who, coming into the game late in the second half, found paydirt in the endzone off a fast break play. Way to be in the right place, at the right time!

As for the forwards, I was rather surprised to not see much intensity or outstanding play. Now, some would argue that the forwards aren't supposed to be the stars of the show anyway, but I always have high expectations of the BYU pack. They have always delivered a solid performance by dominating the tackling and rucking, controlling scrums and line-outs, and often creating scoring opportunities among themselves. And from my perspective, one of the greatest displays of BYU might and intimidation has always been the rolling maul, the 'bread and butter' of the BYU forwards in past years...

In this test, however, the BYU forwards seemed to be playing a bit passively, never establishing dominance on any facet of play. Rucks were rather haphazard; scrums were driven back every time; line-outs looked uncoordinated; and mauls were nowhere to be seen. (How did Utah not capitalize on these shortcomings?)

Now, to avoid the appearance of complete ignorance, I must say that many of these facts could very well have been justified. At the very least, tackling was solid for the most part. And I recall hearing that a new rule in college rugby concerning rolling mauls effectually limits their effectiveness (hence BYU not depending on them anymore). Perhaps the fact that no one forward really stood out actually indicates a solid group effort that allowed numerous opportunities for the backs to shine and take the glory. All in all, not bad fellas... but let's tighten it up before tournament time, eh?

Last but not least, I must make my first ever, match MVP designation: Shaun Davies. The 'squirrely' scrumhalf kept everyone on their toes (especially Utah!) by effectively managing the ball between forwards and backs, creating holes in the defense, and making wise decisions when personally handling the ball... all while going 9 for 9 on kicks and conversions! (Pssst, don't tell the football team!) Talk about the right day to be spot on! Congratulations to Shaun Davies, my nomination for the 2009 Wasatch Cup MVP.

With all this success, the temptation to become complacent creeps in... but I say, modifying the famous words of Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never let up!" BYU Rugby Forever!
Read more...

A nod to Rugby America

Just wanted to let you know of the latest, most refreshing perspective on American collegiate and professional rugby: Rugby America. I have found this site to provide informative commentary as well as all of the latest news, scores, and rugby links. On occasions when the BYU Rugby team has an away game, this site poses the best bet for getting match results before the rest.


Moreover, the site author/webmaster obviously goes to great lengths to increase the exposure of rugby in the U.S. as evidenced by a recent post regarding our very own, up and coming, BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009!

So take a moment, browse the site, and check out the latest post on Rugby America featuring commentary in anticipation of this weekend's BYU-Utah rivalry match, the Wasatch Cup!
Read more...

Expectations exceeded: BYU tops Denver!

Well, I had my doubts, folks... I admit it. Perhaps all the talk about the Barbarians touting former and current USA Eagles got me secretly worried that BYU might get hammered like last year (a 68-12 loss). Yes, I know that last year's mostly-seconds' squad was the best that the BYU Rugby team had to offer due to numerous injured starters... but this year I still feared the strength and experience of the Denver side (you know, what with their 'old man strength' and all that goes with it!).

Reading Coach Wayne Tarawhiti's comments regarding BYU's 32-20 win, however, turned my anxiety into excitement: “We wanted the guys to come out in the first 10 minutes and go full-out... And they did that to their credit. I think we caught these guys [Denver] a little by surprise in the first ten minutes.”

That's how it's done against tough teams... there's something about those first ten or fifteen minutes that can make or break a team's spirit. The same holds true at the start of the second half... but a team already substantially broken in the first half does not easily recover in time (e.g. BYU's first National Championship appearance vs. Cal Berkeley in '06, a sickeningly close, 26-29 loss).

And so I must express a renewed sense of optimism and energy for BYU's 2009 National Championship prospects... after all, our boys just beat a seasoned Super League team with more than one USA Team member on its roster!

But before looking too far into the sunset, the BYU Rugby team must face a most formidable opponent in #5-ranked, arch rival Utah this coming weekend. With the coveted Wasatch Cup on the line, as well as playoff seedings, this match threatens to be the biggest barn-burner of the season!

Read more...