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A couple weeks ago, I sent an email to Jack Clark, Head Coach of the Cal Rugby program, requesting a small interview. Although somewhat reluctant to do so, he told me to go ahead and send my questions... (CalBears.com photo)
I must admit I was pretty excited to hear from the great Jack Clark, especially as I was hoping for some good perspective on the Cal Rugby program and thoughts on their recent loss to BYU (that and the fact that I thought it just plain fun to see if he would even reply!). Instead of answering my questions, however, Coach Clark referred me to an interview he had just had with the media relations people at Cal that morning. And so my questions got deflected! Shucks, of all the luck...
Well, what can I say... apparently my media muscle is still about as minuscule as that of a fledgling school newspaper! The score is Jack Clark 1, BYU Rugby Forever 0... for now... but it's on, folks, it's really on! Look out!!!
Ok, all kidding aside, I did finally find the aforementioned interview featured on CalBears.com to pass on to all of you, dated May 22, 2009:
Q&A with California Rugby Head Coach Jack Clark
Although the majority of the questions asked do not touch on the BYU-Cal meetings of the past few years, nevertheless a few of the questions did include some commentary with respect to BYU. I'll here include such relevant, question/answer excerpts, but the analysis thereof I leave to you...
My respect and thanks to Coach Clark for his consideration nonetheless; someday I'll try again! But in the meantime, enjoy the following Q&A:
(for the entire interview, click the above link)
California saw a remarkable run of 115 wins in a row against U.S. collegiate competition end against BYU at the 2009 national championship. The streak began after your regular-season loss to Cal Poly on April 3, 2004. What are your thoughts on that achievement?
I haven't paid any more attention to this streak than the streak before it, or the one before that. We are neurotic about reaching our potential as a team and, to a degree, about playing our best rugby at season's end, but the results in the middle are only about building the team. Maybe one day, when I'm finished, I'll take a look back at what we've accomplished, but for now I'm only concerned about the next season.
The four consecutive meetings now with BYU in the national championship are thought by many to be a streak that will continue for many years to come. The Bears edged BYU by three in 2006 and won the next two convincingly before falling three points short this year. Do you also envision this rivalry continuing at the championship level in the foreseeable future?
I have no idea if it will continue. Our focus needs to be on getting to the title match, not who we're playing in the match. With this said, I personally love coaching against BYU and I always have, dating back to the early '80s, partially because there's always so much on the line. The matches have largely been winner-take-all affairs. Even when we played them in 2001, when they had that great Kimball Kjar team, some billed it as an unofficial championship because BYU was unavailable for the national championship. It was as good of a victory for a "friendly" as is possible.
But look, BYU is our adversary, and as a foe to our university the Cougars are perfect. I wouldn't change one aspect of this BYU team - not the composition of their team, how they play or are coached to play, not the fans, nothing. They are the perfect opponent. If you can't get ready to play BYU, go see a cardiologist. They are everything you want in an opponent.
Does not winning the national championship this year change anything for the Bears going forward? In other words, does it get harder to win, or will the team possibly be more motivated next year?
No, not in my view. There is very little connection between this year's results and next. Remember, I've been at this awhile. We've both lost twice in consecutive years and we've won the championship every year for a decade. In my experience there isn't much connection between seasons.
I think the talk you hear in this regard is wrong. Many believe we will somehow be hungrier to win next year while others believe that, having lost, losing will come easier. It's all uninformed conjecture.
The championship is always won in the here and now. It's always competed for in the here and now. What happened last year is just that. Like this year, whoever wins next year's title will win it because they're the best team.
No amount of winning or losing is too much, and it's never the other team's turn to win or lose. It's the code of the sportsman, it's what we live by. It's called competition. You walk between the lines and you win or lose based on your preparation and performance in relation to your opponents'. There are no other factors.
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In the wake of the BYU Rugby team's first National Championship win, BYU Rugby Forever continues the "Interview of the Week" series; this week's guest is BYU's starting winger, Manti Su'a. Although Manti was unable to play in the final against Cal due to injury, nevertheless his efforts throughout the season, as well as in tournament play, helped propel BYU to the top after all was said and done. (Photo courtesy of Paul Meyers)
BYU Rugby Forever:
How has being a member of the BYU Rugby team impacted your life? your future goals/plans?
Manti Su'a:
Having had the opportunity to play for the team has been a huge blessing. From a scholastic point of view, I learned very early that I would have to plan out my week in advance and learn how to effectively balance my schedule and use my time wisely. From a long-term perspective, it helped me to figure out which direction I want my life to go and how to set and accomplish goals to ensure I get there. I went to the finals three times with my team; two of those times we came up short in the end. Each season took a lot self-evaluation and introspection. I’d ask myself, “what aren’t you doing to make this team better?” Once I knew what I needed to do, it was just a matter of implementing it into every training session and every game.
BYU Rugby Forever:
What were the greatest moments/highlights of the 2008-09 season for you?
Manti Su'a:
The first moment that comes to mind was against Arkansas State in the round of 8. It was an all out battle from the second the match started. At the half we were losing (which I think was the first time we’d been down at the half all season), and I was pretty frustrated. When the second half started, I glanced over at our inside center Tupu and he was staring at me just laughing! I was so caught off guard that I started cracking up too! That little exchange calmed me down and gave me back my confidence. Minutes later my “baby” brother Mikey got the ball and ran hard and strong right at Arkansas State, laying a couple of their boys out. After that, the intensity went through the roof and the rest was history.
Another memorable moment was when we played the University of Utah at home on South Field. The game was being covered by ESPNU, the stadium was packed, and it seemed like our team was totally in sync. With about ten seconds left in the game, our backs got the ball and attacked from about twenty meters out. I got the ball on the wing after our fullback, Sam Thorley, made an amazing pass which allowed me to score. All I remember was how loud the stadium got. It was pretty crazy!
BYU Rugby Forever:
You were injured in the Big Four match against San Diego State. What exactly happened, and how are you feeling now?
Manti Su'a:
Late in the first half, we kicked the ball straight out from a kick-off. There was a little confusion on the field that resulted in one of the players from San Diego State with a break-away run down the sideline. I chased him down and dove to tackle him, and in the process I got kicked in the face resulting in a broken nose and some eye damage. I had to have some minor surgery that night which kept me sidelined for the finals. It was a bummer that I couldn’t play in the finals, but I was really proud of our true freshman, wing Jordan Lowry, for stepping up to the challenge and playing amazing in the championship. I’m doing a lot better now, except when I asked the doctor if he could do anything about the ugliness in my face, he replied that the unattractiveness was present before the accident and unless I wanted to undergo some serious surgical procedures, I’d be stuck with this face forever. I happily declined.
BYU Rugby Forever:
Some fans don't know that starting prop 'Big Mikey' is your younger brother. Did that relationship affect or influence your performance on the field?
Manti Su'a:
It really did. It’s a huge confidence builder knowing that I’m taking the field with him. We like to get each other fired up for each game, but we also joke around and calm each other down when we need it. We’ve been playing sports together since I was in second grade and we wore the same size clothes! Over the years we’ve learned how to read each other and work together.
BYU Rugby Forever:
Thoughts on the future of the BYU Rugby team? Counsel, suggestions, ideas?
Manti Su'a:
I look at the younger guys on the team and see not just talent and skill, but a good group of guys that are coachable. Apart from that, the coaching staff (Smyth, Tarawhiti, Kjar and Nadauld) are amazing at what they do. Each game we knew exactly what we were up against and what we needed to do to win. My only counsel to the future players is to listen to the coaches because they know how to win and to dedicate yourself to being the best athlete you can be (and that means not only physically, but also mentally by taking care of everything in the classroom, so when it’s time for rugby, you can focus on rugby, knowing that you’ve all ready taken care of school).
BYU Rugby Forever:
If you could say anything to all the BYU Rugby alumni and fans out there, what would you say?
Manti Su'a:
Thanks for all the support for the past three years! Playing in front of so many amazing fans made my three years of BYU rugby some of the greatest memories of my college experience. BYU rugby wouldn’t be where it is today if it weren’t for the alumni and fans. Thanks for everything!
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Just a reminder to those of you who didn't get a chance to go out to Palo Alto to witness the BYU Rugby team's first National Title win against the dynasty, Cal...
The National Championship bout will be broadcast on ESPNU at 7 PM (MDT). For those that live close to BYU campus, the game will be shown at Legends Grille, located in the Student Athletic Building (across from the RB and Smith Fieldhouse). Feel free to come and enjoy the game alongside coaches, players, and fans.
Don't miss out on watching the BYU Rugby team's greatest match ever played! See you there!
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Although an official press release is still in the works, I am nevertheless proud to offer a brief update on the progress of the first-ever, high definition BYU Rugby highlight video. I recently met with our camera crew, Ben Thompson and Micah Brown, to discuss video editing, advertising, sales, distribution, and other details. (New video cover art by Ben Thompson; photo by Paul Meyers)
At this point, I am pleased to announce that the video will include more than an hour of total content with extended footage of the National Title match against Cal Berkeley. The video will also feature an interactive menu that allows the viewing of match highlights on an individual or sequential basis. An official release date anticipated for early or mid June will be set in the next couple of weeks.
I wish to reiterate the fact that this video is not a documentary; it does not feature interviews or commentary. Rather, it is simply a highlight video, a compilation of great BYU Rugby match moments throughout the 2009 season.
Donations to the BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video are still being accepted, and one may join in this effort by simply clicking the "Donate" button on the sidebar. Payment will be sent securely via PayPal, all major credit cards accepted. In return for a minimum donation of $20, BYU Rugby Forever will guarantee the donor a DVD copy of the final product. A complimentary copy in high definition Blu-ray will be offered for donations of $50 or more. Feel free to email byurugbyforever@gmail.com with any questions or concerns.
Please remember, my friends, that a very significant amount of time, money, and effort have gone into this production. Your small donation represents only a tiny fraction of the total project cost. In all honesty, you the donor are the one truly benefiting here by receiving a product much more valuable than your minimal money sacrifice.
Finally, my sincerest thanks go out to all those donors who have contributed to this project thus far. Up until now, a total of $916 have been raised to help subsidize this effort. Thank you so much for showing your willingness to support BYU Rugby Forever's efforts to promote the BYU Rugby team. Looks like we all picked the right year to do so!
Thank you, thank you, thank you.
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I must admit I was pretty excited to hear from the great Jack Clark, especially as I was hoping for some good perspective on the Cal Rugby program and thoughts on their recent loss to BYU (that and the fact that I thought it just plain fun to see if he would even reply!). Instead of answering my questions, however, Coach Clark referred me to an interview he had just had with the media relations people at Cal that morning. And so my questions got deflected! Shucks, of all the luck...
