Utah Rugby College Showdown: Time to Shine!

In all of Collegiate Rugby in the US, a relative few opportunities exist to compete at a truly-elite-level venue. Many praise and tout the facilities at Stanford, Cal, BYU, or Army, to name a few, as being the best collegiate pitches in the nation. And while such may be the case, nevertheless anything greater than these does not often lend itself to host a collegiate competition, much less in the sport of rugby.

However, once in a long while, once in a few rotations around the sun, the golden opportunity presents itself... the chance to play in one of the most pristine sports arenas in the country!


From the Rio Tinto Stadium website: "This world-class venue seats 20,000 people for Major League Soccer and other sports events. Capacity increases to 25,000 for concerts. Stadium amenities include 32 luxury suites, a 2,000-square foot Stadium Club, 1,000 premium club seats, five locker rooms, a 60-foot Video Board, and ribbon LED boards stretching 200 feet long on both the east and west fascia."

"The carpet-like natural grass field boasts a surface area of 130 yards in length by 90 yards in width and has been developed to sustain a full slate of diverse sports and entertainment activities. The GTF Kentucky Bluegrass surface and root system is engineered by Graff's Turf Farm in Ft. Morgan, Colorado, the supplier of such hallowed fields as Wrigley Field, Lambeau Field, Busch Stadium and Notre Dame Stadium. Laser-graded to 1/100th of an inch across 105,000 square feet, the field was chemically and organically developed specifically for Utah's high-desert climate to ensure optimal growth and durability throughout the entire year."

All I can say, my friends, is "WOW!!!" To all BYU Rugby fans... if ever there were a time to come to a rugby game, to make the trip to watch Our Boys, and to cheer them to victory, that time is NOW! We may not soon again enjoy such an opportunity to see Our Boys play at such an amazing venue... I invite you to join with the BYU Rugby Superfans and me to yell our hearts out in support of Our team in their pursuit of success!

And to all BYU Rugby players... if ever there were a time to give it your best, to rise to the occasion, and to produce your best rugby, that time is NOW! You may not ever again enjoy such an opportunity to play at such an amazing venue in the rest of your lifetime... I encourage you to give ALL of yourself for your team, for your school, and for your loyal supporters in the pursuit of another win over Utah!

Remember: it won't get any easier in the coming weeks... so all the more reason to work harder than ever NOW! Just look to this game: could you have ever dreamed that you would be able to represent BYU at such a time and in such a place??? It's unbelievable...

Nevertheless, the time for dreaming has past; you must now believe and face reality. The regular season is over within a mere week's time, and then it's off to the great struggle of the National Championship Tournament. This match means a second chance, a primer for greater opposition to come. And, to avoid any 'beating around the bush', it represents the time to be your best... because frankly, your best has yet to be seen!

We BYU Rugby fans have great expectations... we know you aren't the same team as last year's, but that's not actually relevant. Why? Because you are a new BYU Men's Rugby team: you have new faces, new strengths, a new Haka. Because we have consistently seen enough of your successes in the past to move beyond believing in your capabilities... that is, we know your potential is great... so show it to us now!!! Stand together as a true team in literal support of one another! Rise up in collective might to withstand and conquer the opposition!! After all, if anyone knows how tough the Utes of Utah are this year, it's you!!!

My friends, in the face of opposition lies opportunity... and this match epitomizes a great opportunity for you, for me, and for the BYU Rugby community as a whole... no question about it. Be there to spur Our Boys on to yet another Cougar victory! BYU Rugby Forever!!!

(Image from RioTintoStadium.com)
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BYU Rugby Media Blitz #4

Well folks, the BYU Men's Rugby team has just come off a busy weekend with wins against UVU and Colorado's first and second XV. And while the consistency of their execution seemed to vary as much as the Utah weather, nevertheless the Cougars produced some of their best overall rugby yet this season... though later rather than sooner, happening mostly in second-half play.


Credit to the opposition as well; both UVU and Colorado provided great attacks on offense that truly tested the BYU defense while simultaneously holding BYU to relatively skimpy first-half scores. My respects to both programs.

Take a moment and view the BYU vs. Colorado match to see what I mean...

When you get to the BYU-TV page, click the central "Tune in Now" banner; then load the player file (if you don't have it already), and search for "College Rugby" at the 1:00 PM time slot for March 13th.

If you didn't get to go to the games or just want to hear and see a little more in general (such as read the latest buzz about a possible College Premier League), then here's the scoop.

WSU Canceled, Cougars Turn Focus To Final Two Matches (BYURugby.com)

Men DI Top 25 March 17, 2010 (RugbyMag.com)

Top 25: Aggies Make A Move (AmericanRugbyNews.com)

Premier League Gathers Momentum (AmericanRugbyNews.com)

Second-Half Surge Puts BYU Past Buffs (RugbyMag.com)

College: Western Scores (AmericanRugbyNews.com)

BYU Throttles Past Colorado in 2nd Half (BYURugby.com)

College Premier League (AmericanRugbyNews.com)

Video Slideshow: BYU Rugby’s Dedicated Fans (BYURugby.com)

CougarCast: Ryan Blaser (BYURugby.com)

CougarCast: Inoke Funaki (BYURugby.com)

CougarCast: Ben McKay (BYURugby.com)

BYU Beats Athletic Wolverines (BYURugby.com)
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Wasatch Cup 2010: Media & Thoughts

Scrummin’ Utes drop close contest to BYU (DailyUtahChronicle.com)

Wasatch Cup 2010: BYU Kicks Its Way to Win (BYURugby.com)

Davies Boots BYU Past Utah (RugbyMag.com)

Homecoming Recap (BYURugby.com)

College: Western Scores (AmericanRugbyNews.com)

CougarCast: Dylan Lubbe (BYURugby.com)

CougarCast: Justen Nadauld (BYURugby.com)

Now, just a few thoughts looking back at last weekend.

What a game, folks! The more I reflect on it in terms of the bigger picture, I think it was so much more amazing than I originally realized. Think of it: top-ranked BYU and Utah play each other before a packed house, on a pristine field, on a national television network... Not more than a few years ago, any coach or player wouldn't have believed it possible to have such an opportunity for a regular season game! And people have taken notice... even Coach Jack Clark of Cal Berkeley (in his final comments on ARN's "CollegeTalk", Episode 21) mentioned how impressive everything was about the game and its venue as he watched on BYU-TV (maybe even cheered for BYU a little too... maybe??). :D

And think of this fact: the final score of 15-10 is one of the lowest scores I've ever seen between BYU and Utah... True, it was a sloppy game for both teams, but it was obviously a very competitive and balanced match-up. The score can't hide that fact. Let's just say that Utah is nearly back in elite form, and BYU needs to step it up lest they be overtaken. With all of these thoughts, I must make another pitch for the upcoming "Utah Rugby College Showdown" in which BYU again faces Utah, March 24th, in Rio Tinto Stadium! Talk about potential for an unbelievable match!! And what a game it will be in one of the largest sporting venues in Utah before hosts of rugby fans!!!

Before that day comes, however, both teams have a load of work to do. Both sides' execution, or lack thereof, was characterized by errors leading to penalties and turnovers: Utah's issues with poor ball handling and not releasing the ball in the ruck; BYU's issues with offsides at the breakdown and shoddy, embarrassing line-outs. I would spend a whole page just venting on these points of failure, but suffice it to say that they are unacceptable if BYU wishes to be competitive in the National Tournament, let alone dominant. I mean, to not score a single try in a game is unheard of for BYU... for a reason. These aren't the kind of struggles that BYU coaches want to see at this point in the season, especially with a subsequent match against Utah on the docket as well as a meeting with San Diego State and tough playoff tests immediately thereafter. Sorry fellas, but you can't afford to make those mistakes... you can only afford improvement.

On a brighter note, the BYU defensive effort was relatively encouraging. The return of inside center Tupu Folau added some juice to the mix by smothering the threat of Thretton Palamo. Additionally, the fire possessed and second efforts displayed by the deep three of Andrew Harrison, Ryan Blaser, and Lelann Latu were impressive; it's always fun to see freshman players (the latter two) step up to the plate and meet the opposition. And don't forget the BYU scrum, holding up well despite the loss of big prop Mike Price and lock Isikeli Volavola to injury. Good work fellas; you really dodged a bullet, but let's use it to wax smarter and stronger! We want to keep seeing that new BYU Rugby Haka as often as possible!!!

Finally, I want to express my gratitude for the boot of Shaun Davies... worth all the praise we BYU Rugby fans can offer! (Enjoy the Paul Meyers photo, his best in my opinion, from last year's semifinal match against San Diego State) Thanks to Our Boys for the Wasatch Cup win, and we look forward to some more great games in the coming weeks! Go Cougars!!!


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BYU Rugby vs. Utah: March Mayhem!

The time has come... the tale of two universities continues... the epic rivalry between rugby powerhouses BYU and Utah culminates yet again in the month of March with not one but two match meetings!!!


First, within only a matter of hours (1:00 PM, Saturday, March 6), the BYU Rugby team takes their home pitch against the University of Utah to decide the recipient of the coveted Wasatch Cup (live television coverage provided by BYU-TV). The winner earns a direct spot in the Round of 16 for the National Championship playoffs in April, not to mention the pride and respect of their respective schools. The loser... well, they just inherit an extra dose of bad luck (see "Utah Rugby 2009 season"). :P

Second, on March 24th, BYU again meets Utah in an exhibition match to be held in Rio Tinto Stadium (click the link to reserve advance tickets; BYU fans sit in the EAST grandstand with the Superfans, not in the 'club seats' with the red people). The event is actually a double-header with a teaser match between Utah Valley University and Utah State preceding the main event. All in all, it should be a great night for BYU Rugby, for all levels of rugby in Utah, and for the sport in general.

Now, before I get totally crazy and ooze with bias (a little too late, I know) for the Cougars of BYU, let me tell you why this year's Wasatch Cup match won't exactly be a cakewalk... (not that any game against Utah is ever easy, but this one's a heck of a lot more promising than last year's meetings!)

In the Red Corner, we have the Utes of Utah, rejuvenated and ready to come out swinging. After a tough season of unrealized expectations and rebuilding, our red brethren have found some fire in the likes of a few all-star freshmen, namely, Thretton Palamo at flyhalf, Don Pati at scrumhalf, and Naki Angilau at fullback. The former of these boasts an already-impressive résumé, having represented the USA in international level play, both for the US Eagles and US Sevens teams... If that doesn't make sense to you, it essentially means that he's got about as much rugby talent as anyone his age in the nation... and then some. Add to this threat the proven talent of Don Pati and Naki Angilau, two standout players selected to the US Under-20 national team in the last year.

No great mystery here, folks, but I'd be willing to bet that Coach Burdette's putting a lot of faith in these guys to really scramble the BYU defense. So what do you know: Utah will actually have a backline this year! ... I just hope no one, and especially not all, of them are a 'Paul Lasike' type or we may be in for a long night!

As far as the Utah forwards are concerned, I don't really know what to expect. Last year's pack was a sort of hodgepodge group that seemed to bring a general inconsistency in execution. Other than a random mention of their flankers, Mike Kimball and Mike Jeszczak, and lock Scott Metcalf, I'll err on the side of caution and say that they're probably better than last year. After all, they did only barely lose to the University of Victoria, a well-established Canadian team, to the tune of 38-22. So, we'll see what their scrum has to offer... if they 'possess the constitution' to bring it!

In the Blue Corner, we have the Cougars of BYU, our beloved defending National Champions! Coming off of their most successful season ever, BYU counts with a great amount of depth, especially in the forwards... and good thing too, as recent injuries to starting prop, Mike Price, and starting lock, Isikeli Volavola, have turned these two into water boys for now. Anchoring the pack (literally!) nonetheless are big props All-American Mikey Su'a and New Zealand native Ray Forrester, as well as up-and-coming forward Joey Mount at hooker. Coupled with the solid back row of TJ Allred and Mark Bonham at lock, Haini Leaaetoa and Moana Hafoka at flanker, and Ryan Roundy at eight-man, the BYU scrum looks quite potent and prepped for the opposition. According to the most recent interviews, it sounds like our BYU side will be banking on the forwards to produce in dominant fashion (especially, I personally hope and pray, at the set piece!).

As for the backs, oohhhh, those BYU backs, we've got some fun stuff in the pipeline! Yes, it's a bit of a rebuilding season, and yes, a number of key starters have gone the way of graduation and ineligibility... But, remember, we're talking about Our Boys here! 'In the wings', we have Ryan Blaser, younger brother of epic speedster All-American John Blaser, as well as Konner Wiscombe, Sam Wolthius, and impressive freshman Lelann Latu. At center, we have returning starters Viliami Vimahi (Pila the 'Punisher'; see "Destruction of Cal 2009"), Tupu Folau (don't know if he's recouped yet) and Sean Howard, as well as supporter Adam Kuchin. Maybe not the most formidable cast in some critics' opinion but definitely coming together nicely... enough so to keep the Denver Barbarians on their toes last weekend!

And perhaps most lethal for the Cougars is the ever-impressive 'Dynamic Duo' of halfbacks Shaun Davies and Team Captain Dylan Lubbe. Both players contributed greatly to the Cougars' National Title last season and continue in similar fashion. However, seeing as how Utah appears to have an equally amazing 9-10 connection, I wouldn't be surprised if the scrum-to-backline linkage point may well be where all the craziness happens! We know that these four players are deadly in terms of offense, but just how strong will they be on defense? We might just be hearing the clash all the way up in the bleachers! (I honestly hope no ambulances will be necessary) Ahhhh, heaven help us, the suspense is unbearable!!!

As for the later March matchup, folks, I'll have to wait before I go too far out on a limb and say anything overly rash... After all, I've nearly met my quota for the month as is! That and I'm almost completely consumed by the prospects of tomorrow!

Sorry folks, but I'll just have to leave all of us hanging... this should be an amazing and intense match to be sure! Good luck to Our Boys as they take on those pesky Utes! And good luck (with feeble, outstretched hand) to Utah as they come down to Provo to put up with Our Boys, Our Fans, and... one crazy Superfan, of course!!! BYU Rugby Forever!!!
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BYU Rugby: Recent Test Photos

Okay, BYU Rugby fans, we've got a plethora of photos on tap of BYU's recent matches, compliments of BYU Rugby Photographer Paul Meyers!

This time I'll post just a few of my all-around favorite pictures from each match along with a link to the photo album for that game. Feel free to comment on my picks as well as share the links of your favorites in the comments section. Enjoy!

BYU vs. Texas A&M


BYU vs. Cal Poly San Luis Obispo


BYU vs. Air Force Academy


BYU vs. Delaware


BYU vs. Utah State


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