tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598445108289552268.post559289463686767095..comments2023-04-28T03:45:33.234-04:00Comments on BYU Rugby Forever: Wasatch Cup 2009: ThoughtsBYU Rugby Foreverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12692256558579508744noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598445108289552268.post-10442314297193307722009-03-09T17:32:00.000-04:002009-03-09T17:32:00.000-04:00YE-UH! March 27th we'll cream them again!YE-UH! March 27th we'll cream them again!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598445108289552268.post-11137047336269988542009-03-09T16:36:00.000-04:002009-03-09T16:36:00.000-04:00Further comments re: forward pack:1) Our starting ...Further comments re: forward pack:<BR/>1) Our starting locks (for the Cup) are/were much smaller/lighter than our proposed competition (Cal, San Diego State, Denver Barbarians, etc.)<BR/>2) Our starting (and backup) flankers are smaller and lighter than their couterparts.<BR/>3) Our #8 is smaller and lighter than most of our competitors.<BR/>4) Our front row holds its own in terms of size, but has a bit above average mobility and endurance. Still, it was a challenge to hold our own with Denver.<BR/>5) A big reason for our outstanding performance against Utah was the experience gained the previous week playing against a very big, tough, able, and well-organized Denver squad in Grand Junction.<BR/>6) We have an great back line that gets so much ball because they make good tackles and poach a bunch on their own.<BR/>Note: Starting fullback Sam Thorley and starting lock Viliami Vimahi didn't play due to injury.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598445108289552268.post-47524576889881303752009-03-09T15:38:00.000-04:002009-03-09T15:38:00.000-04:00Great points and thanks for the comment. To add to...Great points and thanks for the comment. <BR/><BR/>To add to point #1, I didn't mention that big Mikey Su'a was also yellow-carded in the first half. BYU had to play down a man for ten minutes which further hurt scrums, line-outs, and etc., although the BYU defense obviously held through it all. <BR/><BR/>To point #3, yes you are correct that both played in the backs last year (Apenisa Malani as a center and Nate Maughan as a fullback), however I have heard that the latter actually played as a flanker in all his previous rugby experience.<BR/><BR/>And I definitely agree that they are doing quite well with all of the new talent, perhaps even better than previous years. The hope, however, is that BYU continues to deepen its ranks to the point of not depending on brand new or freshman talent to fill starting positions. I think talent, strength, and cohesion would more quickly develop as a result of not having to constantly revamp the starting lineup, especially in the case of the forwards.BYU Rugby Foreverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12692256558579508744noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8598445108289552268.post-57512017937391704142009-03-09T14:27:00.000-04:002009-03-09T14:27:00.000-04:00The pack wasn't quite so dominant as in years past...The pack wasn't quite so dominant as in years past because:<BR/>1) 2 of the 3 front-rowers are new to their positions this year and sophomore Mikey Su'a, the lone returner, is only in his second year ever of playing rugby;<BR/>2) both starting locks in the Cup were new to BYU, one a freshman and the other is brand new to rugby this year;<BR/>3) the flankers both played in the backs last year and are new to their positions.<BR/>It's safe to say that the team is biased for speed, agility, and tackling rather than for raw power in the scrums. As for the line outs, you've got a new hooker, new locks, and new flankers. I think that they're doing very well in their first season together.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com