BYU RUGBY 2012: THE KINGDOM

Flyhalf Dylan Lubbe in preseason action (Photo courtesy of Paul Meyers)

It's here ... there's no escaping it ...

The 2012 season of BYU Rugby is upon us ... and though Our Boys, our beloved Cougars, are already administering justice upon the opposition (defeating Central Washington yesterday, 76-7), nevertheless this season represents the beginning of an era, even a new reign of dominance not to be ignored.  With the ever-lauded Golden Bears of Cal-Berkeley voluntarily stepping down and out of D-1A college rugby, and inevitably relinquishing the throne to BYU, the Kingdom is come ... the Reign of BYU Rugby is at hand!!!

Okay mates, all sacrilege aside and whatever Cal's reasons for leaving, you've got to admit that we're witnessing the advent of a new BYU Rugby dynasty.  In the immediate short term, the Golden Bears dodge the bullet of having to attempt to win another National Title in BYU's backyard against an obviously-loaded Cougar squad.  But in the longer term, where do they go?  Fifteen players-a-side is Cal's bread and butter, so ... what's next for the grizzly long hairs from the Bay Area??

Here's a hint: No more designation as 'National Champions' or as the 'Premier College Rugby Team of America'.  That title now belongs to BYU by default, and I would submit that it will remain there for a good, long time.  Never mind that Cal didn't put up a fight ... shoot, they didn't even raise up the white flag!  It's like they snuck off with the kids and the car in the dead of night without so much as leaving a note!!

Uhhh ... well ... okay then ... good riddance!!  I guess we'll be forced to inherit the mansion and family fortune!!!

Don't get me wrong, Cal-Berkeley's separation from the college rugby spotlight will come at a cost. There will be some whining and posturing for a continued monopoly on the sparse media coverage available to rugby in the U.S.  Even still, what will be Cal's saving grace?  Their "World Cup" series with the University of British Columbia?  No, I highly doubt it.  No one cares much about it besides their constituents, just the same as how no one outside of BYU and Utah cares about the Wasatch Cup.  And even if Cal is still perceived to be the best team in the nation, it won't matter and it won't last.  There are a number of university teams up north in Canada that are better than either Cal or BYU ... but guess what, folks?  No one here in the U.S. knows or cares about them!  Why?  Because they don't belong to the same collective of teams here and thus cannot be deemed champion thereof!!  They fall outside the realm of our immediate consideration ... so they don't matter!!!

Cal could go on a tour of Japan, beating all of the premier college teams in the land, and it wouldn't earn them much more than a pat on the back as far as the American rugby community at large is concerned. To be the best among your peers and be recognized as such, you've got to beat your best peers ... period.  Not some foreigners that no one can relate to, let alone name.  Suffice it to say that the Golden Age of Cal-Berkeley is fast going the way of the dodo ... and they have only themselves to blame.

To our most great and worthy opponents, let us graciously bid them a heartfelt 'adieu'.

Now, fast-forward to this year's coming National Title match in Rio Tinto Stadium ... a Cal-less, Bear-en final? Really?? It's almost unthinkable, I know, but that's about the size of it ... so, let's move on and accept the fact.

And what of those BYU Cougars with their 25- and 30-year-old, professional foreign players the size of Texas?!? (*cough*) Surely they won't be there again, will they?!?!? ... Oh yes, my beloved rugby community, they'll be there, crazy Superfans and all in tow ... you can count on it!!!  They won't be quitting the highest-level competition anytime soon, if ever ...

Remember that 2009 squad?  Yeah, the National-Champion one??  Well, we've got a number of those guys that were freshmen at the time who are now back from serving LDS missions and are ready to steamroll the competition.  Most notably, the formidable Paul Lasike is back, as a back, to once again instruct opposing teams in the art of rugby dominance, Kiwi-style.  Additionally, my favorite freshmen phenoms of 2009, the speedy back Jordan Lowry and the tenacious lock/flanker Kyle Sumsion, are back to do it again in 2012.

Also returning from missions and deserving of mention are the fast and dependable backs Austin Allred and Will Taylor, as well as reserve forwards Dave Rowley, Dan Selman and Collin Bush who didn't actually see much playing time in '09 but will be looking to step up and break out of the woodwork to challenge for a starting position.

Add to the pot a plethora of other new and old players with a wealth of potential, and we're looking at the 2012 National Champions, folks!!!  Behold, the Kingdom ...


8-man Ryan Roundy on yet another breakaway run (Paul Meyers Photo)

Alright, before jumping the gun completely, allow me to make especial mention of three Cougars who, despite playing for BYU at different times in the last five years, have never hoisted the gold medal: Lock TJ Allred started in 2007 as well as in 2010, experiencing firsthand the taste of defeat to Cal on both occasions; Lock Brett Clark similarly experienced falling to the Bears in 2008 as a freshman; and even our great all-star No. 8 Ryan Roundy has never felt the exhilaration of National-Championship victory, most recently coming up short against Cal-Berkeley in 2010 and 2011.  Look for these forwards to be the unrelenting work horses of the season ... because for them, the deeply-imbued embers of desire have not yet enjoyed full ignition into roaring flames of National-Title glory ... the time is at hand ... the day has arrived for this fire to be loosed upon the pitch!

My friends, enough of this mucking about!  Let's get to the heart of it ... forget the Cal mystique; it's over!!  The BYU Men's Rugby team is not only here to stay, but the claim they staked at the top long ago has now come due. This year, even 2012, the fabled 'end of the world', in fact only represents a new beginning, the ushering in of a new age of college rugby in America ... and not surprisingly, there stands BYU, fast at the helm!!!

For thine is the kingdom,
and the power,
and the glory,
BYU Rugby Forever!!! 

Amen.
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BYU Rugby 2012 Match Schedule

 BYU Rugby Fans, mark your calendars now!  The BYU Men's Rugby 2012 Schedule has been released on the team's website in anticipation of another season of success ... Take a look and plan NOW to be there at South Field cheering Our Boys on to yet another BYU victory!  BYU Rugby Forever!!!

(Home games in BOLD text)

JAN 21 Blue & White Scrimmage 
JAN 26 @ Univ. of Central Washington
JAN 27 @ Univ. of Washington
JAN 28 @ Old Puget Sound
FEB 4 BYE
FEB 9 @ Penn State (Las Vegas Invitational)
FEB 18 Cougar Invitational (TBD) 
FEB 25 @ Denver Barbarians (Grand Junction, CO)
MAR 3 @ Arizona State Univ.
MAR 10 Air Force Academy 
MAR 14 Utah Valley Univ. 
MAR 17 St. Mary's College 
MAR 22 @ Colorado State Univ.
MAR 24 @ Wyoming
MAR 30 Univ. of Arizona 
APR 7 University of Utah 
APR 14 BYE
APR 21 Colorado University 
APR 28 BYE
MAY 5 Quarterfinals
MAY 12 Semifinals
MAY 19 Championship
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CougarBlue: BYU Rugby vs. Arizona State

I snagged this video clip from CougarBlue.com, sponsored by The Daily Herald ... BYU disposes of the ASU Sun Devils, 80-0! (See the full video clip of the intense, Cougar Haka HERE!)

Yes folks, the time has come to get pumped for the Playoffs, starting with Navy this Saturday, 1 PM (MST) at South Field! 

Fans far and abroad can watch online by clicking HERE!

Enjoy!!!
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BYU Rugby Media Blitz - Vol. 2, No. 1

Okay friends, I know we all need some more BYU Rugby in our lives, so if your New Year's resolutions have already taken a back seat, then click these links to get back on track for the 2011 season:

Wasatch Cup Tickets On Sale (BYURugby.com)

Become a fan of BYU Rugby on Facebook! (Facebook.com)

BYU RUGBY 2011 SCHEDULE (BYURugby.com)

BYU Rugby 2011 Roster (BYURugby.com)


And for us BYU Rugby junkies, here's the usual overdose of the most recent news and media mentions: (Enjoy!)

The Short List: Rugby Rivals (Magazine.BYU.edu)

Rugby star's long journey to BYU team (Universe.BYU.edu)

Cougars Prep for Las Vegas (BYURugby.com)

CPL Rankings Jan 31 2011 (RugbyMag.com)

Rugby men sweep weekend trip in southern California (Universe.BYU.edu)

SoCal Sweep for BYU (RugbyMag.com)

Cougars Rout Aztecs (BYURugby.com)

Speedy SDSU Hosts Burly BYU Saturday (RugbyMag.com)

BYU Gets Past USD (BYURugby.com)

USD Hangs Tough v BYU (RugbyMag.com)

BYU Tallies Big Win Over Claremont Colleges (BYURugby.com)

Cougars Crush Claremont Colleges (RugbyMag.com)

New faces, new season for BYU rugby (Universe.BYU.edu)

Cougar Corner: Ryan Roundy (BYURugby.com)

BYU Sets for SoCal & Start of 2011 Season (BYURugby.com)

Cougars Work With Youth At Propel Clinic (BYURugby.com)

2011 Preseason CPL Rankings (RugbyMag.com)
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Dear BYU Rugby ...

Dear BYU Rugby,

In celebration of your overly-successful, 'SoCal Weekend of Destruction', I couldn't help but watch some rugby to get the blood flowing! Sadly, since the east coast remains quite a distance from the west (and since I've seen every BYU Rugby video ever posted on the web), I had to go foraging to find something new to gnaw on ... And boy, oh boy, did I find a sweet one for you!

Watch on YouTube: Heineken Cup 2009 - Quarter-Final - Harlequins vs. Leinster

View this video (yes, it's a full, 80-minute match on YouTube!), and you will see top level rugby in full form, an offensive barrage equally held at bay by stellar defensive stands on both sides. It's all there: the tactical kicking game, the forwards' phase ball, the effective line-out, the end-goal defense, the backs' passing play, solid scrummaging, quality tackling, tight rucking, quick ball, and collective support all around. Are you there yet, BYU Rugby? I hope so ... because this season is yours for the taking!

After watching this video, even the first-time spectator would have a hard time denying the incredible and highly competitive nature of the game ... truly, an amazing test, representative of the high expectations held by true-blue rugby fans everywhere. Your ultimate goal, BYU Rugby, is to give all your efforts for that higher level of play, that extra intensity that defines you as champions.

We the fans will be there. We will support you. We will energize you. We will cheer you on to victory after victory. You are Our Hope, Our Pride, Our Team. We expect the best, for you, BYU Rugby, are the best.

Congratulations on a great start to the season, and we hope to see a whole lot more where that came from!!! Go Cougars!!!

Yours faithfully,

BYU RUGBY FOREVER
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CRF President Aaron Webber: Interview of the Week, Part III

(hi5.com photo)

BYU Rugby Forever: As far as looking a little more long term, just in terms of the goals that you have for the program and this vision that you've mentioned, do you have any specific dates or time ranges that you're shooting for accomplishing these specific goals?

Aaron Webber: One of the other challenges that we have is coming in basically at the beginning of a season: It doesn't give you much time to get traction before the season's now halfway through and then over. You know, we've only got another two months, slight less than two months, and then the season's done. And a lot of those things we want to do have a long tail, so you've got to work your way into them and those sort of things. So, we'll be able to add some value this year.

I'd like to think that there would be some demonstrable steps forward for next season, 'cause we get the whole off-season and preseason to get things in place. And I'd like to think that in the sort of three to five year plan, we get to the point where we're funded; the money's in the bank before the season starts; and we've got programs in place that communicate effectively. I mean, we're not going to keep everybody happy, but there are routines and structure in place to move ourselves forward and manage the business. I'd like to be involved in that for as long as Davy and the other guys want me to be. You know if they perceive I'm not pulling my weight, then they kick me out and get someone else in.

But you know, I just want to add value where I can, and I think the two to four year time frame is an appropriate one to get everything in place that needs to be in place, and there's always the tweaking and the fine-tuning that needs to take place from there. But yeah, years two and three, I think, will be the ones where as the giant leads forward in terms of structure and systems to support the team.

BYU Rugby Forever: As far as BYU Rugby alumni and fans, just off the top of your head, what specific activities or responsibilities or things could they do to help in this effort and help support the Cougar Rugby Foundation and the whole rugby program at BYU?

Aaron Webber: I think there's a number of things. First is just talk about the game. Talk about the team; talk about the game. I think there's a growing awareness of rugby in the United States. You know, it's one of the fast growing sports at the high school level. I mean, case in point in Utah here, when I first started coaching at the high school level there were seven teams I think in Utah and this year there's something like twenty-nine ... and that's just in four years. So it's some significant growth going on; see, the chatter is out there about the sport. So just talking the sport up.

If you're anywhere near a game that takes place, be at the game. Drag friends and family and kids and neighbors along. Spread the word in that regard, both from a BYU perspective as well as a rugby perspective; ideally, a BYU Rugby perspective. You know, general chatter, going to games, home or away.

Write a check, send us some money. I'm that blunt about it. If you don't have the time, then you know send us your ten dollars, a hundred dollars, a thousand dollars, or ten thousand dollars. Or, chat with your employer, and say, "Hey look, as part of our community engagement spending, can you sponsor the BYU Rugby team?" and those sorts of things.

There's all sorts of ways people can be engaged in it: go to the websites, go to the blogs, just keep yourself in sync with what's going on and sooner or later something will spark an interest or there'll be the area where you can say, "Well, I could help there," and so you can step in and add some value.

BYU Rugby Forever: Well, thanks for your time. Any final thoughts or anything else you would share with the BYU Rugby Community out there?

Aaron Webber: Yes, thank you for your support thus far. And I don't want to seem ungrateful, but we've got to notch it up, myself included, in terms of our level of support for the team. So, don't yell at me or chase me away if I come to you and ask you to do something or contribute. Just continue to love the game, continue to be involved where you can.

I think we're at the cusp of some outstanding things for BYU. Will we forever be at the level where we're at? No, we'll have some good years and some bad years. But I think we're operating at a level now where the expectations are realistic enough to assume we're going to be in the Final Four and compete at the Final Game and win it more often than not. And so I think that's a successful program, that's a program that you can feel proud to be a part of.

For you and I, it was back in the old days; we helped lay the foundation. And that alone should be a sense of pride. But then to be able to come back, you know, circle back around, and provide some degree of value, add to that. Once you've learned at BYU, gone out, and earned something in the marketplace, come back and return that to the team.

You see some players out there you think would be great for BYU, let's hear about them. You think there's some things we could do better and faster and stronger, let's hear about it. And more often than not, we'll come back to you and say, "Great idea; help us do it!" So, just being involved, being aware. We have the beginnings of a great family here, and I just want to build on that where I can and augment that where possible.

BYU Rugby Forever: Thanks for all your support; we look forward to doing what we can to help you out!

Aaron Webber: You're welcome.

Editor's note: This piece is the third part of a three-part, extended interview originally audio-recorded by BYU Rugby Forever on 3 March, 2010, in Provo, Utah.

Due to the seventeen-and-a-half-minute length of the recording, it has been transcribed and separated into three sections for readability and presentation purposes.
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CRF President Aaron Webber: Interview of the Week, Part II

(hi5.com photo)

BYU Rugby Forever: Along those lines, since you already mentioned what you need to do with the Cougar Rugby Foundation, kind of 'taking that load off the coaches' backs', what are your duties going to be, or what have you already been doing, to fill that role and get the ball rolling to take care of those responsibilities?

Aaron Webber: I see the role basically in three facets. Number one is and will always be fundraising. It's an unfortunate reality, but it takes money to do what needs to be done. And if the team's going to make an annual event of going to the National Championship game, we're going to have to find some way to pay for that and get themselves there and not have to sleep on the floor and all those sorts of things. You know, back in our day it was minivans driving for a day and a half, and then sleep with members, and blah blah blah. So, we have notched it up in terms of our sophistication, and that's appropriate. The team has notched up in terms of its playing level, too, which means you've got to notch up in terms of the funds required to do that. So number one's fundraising.

Number two would be alumni relations: keeping the alumni informed; having the appropriate forum such as this and others. And that doesn't mean that I do it or the Cougar Rugby Foundation does it. We can do some but we can also be facilitators; have these sort of conversations; just get the message out there; maintain contact ... which also feeds fundraising, obviously, but also helps build that team spirit.

I mean, rugby is a great team sport. You know, I love American football; it's an outstanding sport. It is a team sport, but you don't necessarily play as a team. I mean, it's a collection of teams. You've got offense; you've got defense; you've got special teams. And very rarely do those teams intersect or be on the field at the same time. You've got specialist positions where you play quarterback and you do certain things; and that's what you do, and you get very good at them. In rugby, you have to be more of a generalist: you're offense, you're defense, you're special teams, you're tackling, you're running, you're scoring ...

So, to me, that's the approach I want to take in terms of some of these back-office support mechanisms is this Cougar Rugby Foundation can facilitate that team play on the alumni. We have significant expertise in our alumni base. We have guys that are great marketers, great bloggers, great communicators, great fundraisers, guys with plenty of money that can write checks, people that can bring crowds to games ... you name the skill sets that we need; they're in the alumni base. And so, worst case scenario, all we've got to do is just have that alumni base informed as to how they can help, how they can be involved, 'cause I think most want to be, and then the benefits will flow from that.

So, fundraising, alumni liaison, and then whatever we can in terms of off-field support. You know, negotiating with airlines, hotels, just making the process of running the team more efficient in terms of sponsorships, gear supply, field preparation, gameday dramas, etc., etc.; just again, take the burden off the coaches so that those guys can focus on what they're very, very good at ... which is coaching a great team, recruiting great talent, building a great program.

BYU Rugby Forever: As far as that whole undertaking is concerned, what are some of the roadblocks or potential obstacles you see to making that all happen? As you said, the resources are there ... what obstacles are in the way as you try to facilitate that whole process?

Aaron Webber: I don't think there are obstacles; obstacles are just opportunities, right? I mean, it's just a question of how you approach them. I think the biggest obstacle we have is just some inertia ... you know, there are good people out there that have lost contact. And in their water, they want to help; they just don't know how, and so they haven't done anything. And so just getting them off the dial there, you know, doing something, being involved ... that, I think, is the biggest issue.

But, that's not a big issue, but that's the biggest one we've got, I think. Writing a check, spreading the word, getting bums in seats at games home and away. It doesn't have to be a hard or time-intensive thing, but just if everyone makes that contribution just like the team, you know ... with all due respect to wingers, I mean, they're not involved in the game all the time, but good wingers go looking for work, right? They don't just hang out on the wing and say, "Well, the ball's on that side; I'll just hang out here and do nothing." They go looking for it, they get engaged, they scrounge the ball.

Same sort of thing: we don't want a bunch of alumni that are just wingers waiting for the ball to come to them and then they go to work. Some guys that can put their hand up and say, "I'll go looking for work." And, you know, the game, the institution ... to me, and I'm off track here, but the institution is outstanding. BYU is ... you know, I'm a diehard BYU fan, so ... check that box. The game is outstanding, I'm a diehard rugby fan. Our rugby team is outstanding, I'm a diehard BYU Rugby fan; so you bring those three together, and I think that there is an attraction in all three of those or one of those three, whatever the case may be, for people to want to be involved and add some value and do some stuff.

You know, BYU is a world-class institution, and we have now got the beginnings of a world-class team and a world-class program, and I just want to do what I can to help move that along. And I think others do too; but they just need to know where to 'stand where you lift' type thing ... "Ok, I'm standing, so what am I lifting, and what am I going to do?"

Editor's note: This piece is the second part of a three-part, extended interview originally audio-recorded by BYU Rugby Forever on 3 March, 2010, in Provo, Utah.

Due to the seventeen-and-a-half-minute length of the recording, it has been transcribed and separated into three sections for readability and presentation purposes.
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CRF President Aaron Webber: Interview of the Week, Part I

Yes folks, it's time for another BYU Rugby Forever 'Interview of the Week' ... however, this go 'round presents a special treat: an extended look into the future of the BYU Rugby Program as dictated by Cougar Rugby Foundation President Aaron Webber. (hi5.com photo)

Enjoy!

BYU Rugby Forever: If you could, tell us BYU Rugby fans about your history and involvement, your connection to the team in the past and how that figures into your current role as the Cougar Rugby Foundation President.

Aaron Webber: My history as relates to BYU Rugby, I mean, it's history and it's history that's relevant ... I played for BYU in '89-'90 ... I think those were the years, back in the days when Vern Heperi was coach. Very different program from what it is now but just as fun, just as good a sport, just as engaging in terms of the nature of the sport ... and then lose track as you get into life and move away and do other things. But I was from New Zealand and was living in New Zealand for the last portion of the intervening period, and so rugby's a passion down there; it's a religion. So you always keep track of the sport, always try to keep track of BYU and BYU Rugby during that same time period.

Then we moved back here to the US about thirteen years ago, just began to get more involved from a spectator perspective in the sport, watched its progress. Then probably about four or five years ago, began to get a lot more involved on an alumni basis, on a 'writing-a-check' basis ... going to the games. My boys were getting older, and they wanted to start to look at playing rugby. They were junior-high/high-school age, and so we got involved at that level. And then obviously you want to introduce them to the next level along which was BYU.

And so we went to the games and became passionate supporters as a family of BYU Rugby. And then I was just asked two months ago or so to take the role as president; I must confess I didn't immediately jump at it ... not that I wasn't prepared to do it or didn't want to help. But I just wanted to make sure that I was qualified to do what needed to be done and that I had the time and energy to do what was required of me in doing that role. They twisted my arm and so here I am.

BYU Rugby Forever: Great, great; glad to hear it. As far as your professional background, how has that all factored in? I mean, obviously that was a factor in having them ask you to help out the team; could you describe a little bit of your professional background and what that means for the Cougar Rugby Foundation?

Aaron Webber: By way of professional background, most of it's been in business. My undergraduate degree from BYU was in finance and economics. I've just completed, actually, a graduate master's level degree from the University of Chicago in business, in behavioral economics. Most of my life has been in sort of a corporate world, working my way up through the food chain there, culminating in the corporate side in doing a management buyout. We bought the company I was working for from its European parent, sought to turn it around, get it going, did so, and then managed to reduce my investment in that. And now I basically run my own private equity fund looking to invest in companies doing startups, turnarounds, growth-stage investments, those sorts of things.

So, you know, it's been an interesting marketplace the last couple of years ... but ambiguity and interestingness speaks to opportunity in my opinion. And same thing for BYU Rugby, I mean, we have a great opportunity ahead of us. We've made that national-championship leap; we've achieved it. Now we've got to turn the team and a national-championship team into a national-championship-caliber program; and that isn't a coaching thing, that isn't a player thing ... that's a behind-the-scenes, Cougar-Rugby-Foundation thing. We've got to give the coaches the time and the attention, or allow them to have the time and the attention, they need to have to do what they need to do.

I look at what Justin, and David, and Kimball, and Wayne, and these guys have been doing ... I mean, they're husbands, fathers, church members, running a business, and coaching a team, all of which are full-time jobs. And as well as coaching, doing all the off-the-field stuff: the fundraising, the logistics, the marketing ... it boggles my mind how much workload they've had, even as relates just to BYU Rugby, let alone business and family and personal and church.

So I see our role in helping build that national-championship-level program as taking a lot of that off-the-field drama and distraction away from them. And that's where I think my background can be helpful. There is bringing some systems, some process, some money to bear where the coaches have to worry about, "Okay, if we make the playoffs, how do we afford to get there?" ... you just have to worry about making the playoffs and then doing the best possible job at the playoffs, knowing that other people who are semi-qualified or qualified are working on the challenge of the logistics, the funding, and those sorts of things.


Editor's note: This piece is the first part of a three-part, extended interview originally audio-recorded by BYU Rugby Forever on 3 March, 2010, in Provo, Utah.

Due to the seventeen-and-a-half-minute length of the recording, it has been transcribed and separated into three sections for readability and presentation purposes.
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How about a Haka ... BYU Rugby style?

Being a BYU Rugby Superfan, you know one can't resist checking here and there on the information super-highway for the latest bit of BYU Rugby media. So here it is with another take of the BYU Rugby 2010 Haka:


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BYU Rugby 2010: Heads Held High

(Paul Meyers Photo)

The dust has quickly settled on yet another College Rugby National Tournament ... but why? Our defending 2009 National Champs BYU Cougars lost in a hard-fought match to the Cal Berkeley Machine, en route to a 25th National Title for the latter in only 31 years of tournament play.

You would think, my friends, that there would be another deluge of screaming, crying, and frustration from BYU fans (or at least from me!) over another tough loss to Cal in the final (our fourth in the last five years) ... And you would think that there would be an overabundance of cheering, lauding, and general embellishment coming from the Cal side in praise of their marvelous, undefeated season topped by an unheard of, 25th title ...

So you would think, folks ... but the reality is that no such response has emerged. Why?? Because, relatively speaking, nobody cares when Cal wins!!!

Of course, Cal fans and players were pleased with their win. But after a spot of post-game revelry, they rather quickly disappeared. After all, they had won again and so had little to talk about.

Ironically, BYU fans were extremely happy and proud of the BYU Rugby team's final performance in the face of defeat. BYU had fought hard and even performed above and beyond the mark of their entire season, so the loss didn't really feel that bad.

It seemed a matter of fears gone unrealized. After a season of unprecedented dominance, Cal was afraid to lose again in the final. And BYU, after a season of rebuilding and struggle, was afraid to win ... yes, you heard right: "win".

Only 24 hours earlier, Cal had carved up a physical opponent in Arkansas State, 83-37. Yet BYU, in similar fashion, discarded their Big Four opponent in Army by the score of 63-28. That's a nearly-identical points ratio of about 2.25:1 for both teams ... and while that might not sound like a big deal, perhaps some other numbers will better illustrate the point in question ...

In 2010 regular season play, the mighty Cal Bears outscored their opponents by an average of 15.34 points to 1 over the course of 22 games (1396-91 total points). The BYU Cougars' regular season consisted of 13 matches resulting in a ratio of only 3.58 points for every 1 point for their opponents (490-137 total points) ... not exactly the typical picture of BYU domination! (compare to last year's points ratio of 7.13:1, twice that of this year's team) But not exactly the usual level of Cal domination either ...

The annual "World Cup" of college rugby, a two-match tournament between Cal Berkeley and British Columbia, often presents Cal with its only real competition during the season. Historically, the tournament has often ended with both teams garnering a home win, with Cal taking the trophy on the cumulative points differential. The 2010 match-up, however, resulted in uncharacteristically comfortable wins for Cal at home (39-7) and away (41-10).

Additionally, Cal hadn't been held to less than 25 points in their entire season or even in the trip to the final against BYU. Moreover, Cal's dominance had seen 10 regular season shutouts and no opposing teams escaping the teens in all their scoring efforts. Cal hadn't lost many players from their 2009 lineup ... and the overwhelming W's showed the difference.

Either way the story is told, it's a given that Cal and rugby are a recipe for dominance ... but the 2010 season was that and more.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountains and desert, Our BYU Cougars faced the difficult task of rebuilding while defending their first National Title. The loss of seniors to graduation and freshmen to LDS missions left the team with some untested depth, now in line to start. And though such change in collegiate sport is typical, nevertheless the effects thereof were magnified by injuries to key starters before, during, and late in the season. The starting lineup never quite got set.

BYU was a different team than that of their undefeated 2009 squad, still struggling to find its identity ... and the results reflected the fact. After a controversial and extremely close loss to the Denver Barbarians, BYU squeaked by Utah for a lucky, 15-10 Wasatch Cup win and immediate #1 seed in the Round of 16. But only a few weeks later, BYU fell to Utah by two points in their first-ever Rio Tinto exhibition match. The score shouldn't have even been close ...

Nerves and tempers tested, BYU Rugby fans cringed at the prospect of not even returning to the national title game ... After all, Utah would most likely end up facing the Cougars in the Big Four. Only the last season game, a bout against then #3-ranked (on ARN) San Diego State, would provide any indication of BYU's playoff potential ...

Though the match proved to be no cakewalk, BYU walked away with a convincing 36-22 win. (Insert major sigh of relief here) Despicable line-outs and lackluster support play seemingly now in the past, Our Boys looked more primed for the national tournament than anyone had expected. Our Cougars then waltzed through the first two rounds of sixteen and eight with minimal resistance, beating Delaware (whom they had defeated early in the season) 33-13 and Arizona (who, honestly, worried BYU even less) 46-10. The real challenge facing Our Boys, upon reaching the Big Four, turned mysterious as Army, not Utah, stepped into the ring.

Coming off a double-overtime win over the Utes, the Black Knights of Army looked to be BYU's match ... for, if they were able to beat Utah, then it would surely follow that they could stand 'toe to toe' with the Cougars ... correct? Uhhh ... wrong!!! Critics' and observers' predictions on both ends fell completely short of foreseeing the degree of dominance with which BYU would eventually crush the cadets of West Point by 35 points. The difference then???

First of all, Army was not Utah. BYU's last meeting with Army happened five years previous in a quarterfinal match-up wherein the Cougars won a gritty struggle, 36-13 ... But that was five years ago. Translation: As far as the BYU Rugby team was concerned, Army was just another good team on the way to the title, just like Arkansas State or San Diego State last year ... no psychological baggage or strings attached, no rivalry, no extensive history to throw in BYU's face. Apologies to Army, but with all due respect, Utah is a whole different animal in BYU's eyes ... (how else would they ever beat us in anything! :D)

Last of all, Our Boys were just hitting their stride. With a solid lineup finally established, BYU still had room to grow as a team. Though they had passed through the semis relatively untested, they were then ready to come out 'guns blazing' ... and how much so, we BYU fans couldn't even imagine! When Our Cougars attacked through several phases to set up a center-Tupu-Folau try in the very first minute and a scrumhalf-Shaun-Davies try in the fifth minute, we knew we were in for a special treat!!

To Army's credit, they had a good ten- to fifteen-minute spurt in the first half where they pretty well controlled things and scored two tries. And in the second half, they did the same for a solid twenty minutes or so, putting up another two tries. And though they converted all four, yet their efforts still paled in comparison to the Cougars' nine converted tries (Thank you, Shaun Davies!).

And so the stage was set for another great final test between Cal and BYU: the former coming off a stellar season; the latter climaxing at just the right time! And while BYU was on the upswing, Cal had just experienced one of its tougher matches of the year in Arkansas State. Granted, Cal started a number of secondary players and still won by 46 points, but ASU put up a solid 37 points while star-kicker Keegan Engelbrecht wasn't perfect on the day, going 8 for 12 on conversions. For the first time all season long, BYU looked threatening and Cal looked relatively vulnerable ...

In not so many words, the final page turned in Cal's favor. Inadequate refereeing blurred the score into the realms of deception (there's a vast difference between making a decision and not even being there in time to see what happened). Honestly, the score could have been 19-12, 20-19, or even 25-22 in favor of either team, but the referee's score didn't accurately reflect the closeness of the match. Instead, both teams received the consequences of a guessing game, for better or for worse.

News outlets would give an impression of Cal dominating the entirety of the game in every facet, a typical display of Cal Rugby ... and such was simply not the case (for the disbeliever, hear it from Cal's head coach and players themselves). BYU never gave up; Cal never let up. BYU made mistakes; Cal made mistakes. Cal's first try of the night came off what looked to be a very forward pass; BYU's first try was discounted as "held up". Keegan Engelbrecht went 0/2 on conversions; Shaun Davies went 1/1. Engelbrecht went 2/2 on penalty kicks; Davies went 0/1. Cal scored a try at the beginning and at the end of the first half; BYU scored none. BYU scored a finally-allowed try toward the end of the second half; Cal scored none. The game wasn't exactly a tale of one team.

As BYU threatened to score again in the closing minutes, Engelbrecht attempted a drop-goal in the 77th minute. The ball just snuck over the cross bar, sealing the deal at 19-7 in favor of Cal. Even then BYU fought for a score in the remaining minutes, but a pair of BYU penalties and secure recycling by the Cal forwards ensured Cal possession until the clock ran out.

In some respects, it seemed a mirror opposite of the Cal-BYU final of last year. After the final whistle, Cal players stormed together in a flurry of emotion, some even collapsing to the ground in a mix of relief and disbelief. For several minutes afterward, Cal Head Coach Jack Clark seemed to be stuck in a stupor of shock at the realization that they had actually won the National Title back from BYU, going undefeated in the process.

For BYU fans, it was a bittersweet spectacle ... but only for a moment. BYU had lost again to Cal, true. But that was only on the surface, only on paper, only on the scoreboard. The reality of the game's intensity and the players' resolve on both sides said so much more ...

A BYU team that faced great adversity throughout the season ended on a very high note, and no BYU fan or player anywhere could deny the fact. For when was the last time Cal had been held to scoring less than twenty points in a game? When was the last time they had been kept try-less in the second half of any game? Had they ever experienced either of these deficiencies?? Ever at all??? Not even BYU's National Championship team of 2009 could lay claim to such achievements ...

And so Our Boys, Our 2010 BYU Men's Rugby team can stand erect, proud of their performance. We true BYU Rugby fans were there ... we saw and we know ... without shame, animosity, or regret. Instead, excitement, energy, and respect for both teams reigned in what proved an eventful test. We can all walk tall, all of us in the BYU Rugby community, with heads held high for this year, for the realization of expectations exceeded ... and especially for the prospects of tomorrow.

Congratulations to Our BYU Rugby Boys and the entire BYU Rugby Staff on another great and exciting season! (as long as #2 in the nation is it bad as it gets, we can all survive until next season, right?)

Keep on rolling, Cougars!! Next year, it's our turn!!!
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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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BYU Rugby Notches Early Season Victory

(from BYU Rugby update)

Provo, UT—The BYU Cougars started their 2010 season off well with a win against the Gauchos of UC Santa Barbara today by the score of 50-5.

Being early in the season head coach David Smyth and his staff seemingly worked on their combinations and depth by running on over 36 players in the win.

The scoring started early with recently-returned missionary and former U19 Eagle Ryan Roundy diving over in the 3rd minute after a UCSB turnover.

After some kicking exchanges and mounted pressure from BYU’s forwards the Cougars’ Sophomore flanker Isikeli Volavola followed up with his own try in the 12th minute.

One conversion out of two for the tries left the scoreline at 12-0.

After the two try start to the opening 15 minutes of the season Smyth said he was glad to see his team finally hit the field and play hard.

“The boys did well,” he said, “We came out and worked hard and were able to get some pressure against a good UCSB team which led to some points. Obviously there were some mistakes and things we can work on, but overall the effort was good.”

Leading try-scorer of the day junior scrumhalf Shaun Davies made his own opportunity in the 20th minute from a UCSB penalty. From the penalty Davies would tap and run dancing his way 30 meters for the try.

Davies would follow up his effort with two more support-running tries before he subbed off in the second half.

Davies’ flyhalf counterpart and captain Dylan Lubbe would also tally a bevy of tries in the first half in the 28th and 38th minutes respectively.

Another recently-returned missionary and former Canadian U19 sophomore lock TJ Allred would score from a BYU quick tap penalty in the second half to round out the Cougars’ scoring.

Captain Lubbe felt his team’s effort was a good starting point for their 2010 season.

“We’re excited to be back on the field,” he said, “The guys worked hard. We have some things to work on, but this was fun. I’m looking forward to a good season.”

The Cougars will take the next week off in terms of rugby, but will be spending time at Camp Williams in Utah for a two-day team training camp. There the Cougars will spend time with military special forces personnel in a team-building environment.

Following the Camp Williams experience BYU will re-visit Las Vegas for it’s second of three trips to the city of lights to take on the Las Vegas Blackjacks men’s club. The Blackjacks topped the Division I table last year and are looking to ramp up for their 2010 season by hosting the Cougars.

Kick off for the Blackjacks is slated for 1pm on January 13th at Sunset Park in Las Vegas.

1st XV for BYU:

1. Mike Su’a
2. Ray Forrester
3. Mike Price
4. Mark Bonham
5. TJ Allred
6. Isikeli Volavola
7. Moana Hafoka
8. Ryan Roundy
9. Shaun Davies
10. Dylan Lubbe
11. Sam Wolthius
12. Sean Howard
13. Viliami Vimahi
14. Ryan Blaser
15. Andrew Harrison

Scoring:
Tries: Roundy 3”; Volavola 12”; Davies 20”, 47”, 51”; Lubbe 28”, 38”; Allred 50” Conversions: Davies 3; Lubbe 2
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BYU Rugby Fanhood Test #2: Prize Winners

Without further delay, BYU Rugby Forever is pleased to announce the winners of the the Super Gift Giveaway!!!

First place: Adam McMurtrey

Second place: Jenilyn Su'a

Third place: Drew and Teresa Allred

Happy holidays and thank you to all of you BYU Rugby Fans for your participation and support!

And many congratulations to our winners! Their stories will be posted shortly...

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BYU Rugby Fanhood Test #2: Super Gift Give-away

Happy Holidays to all my beloved BYU Rugby Fans!

Are you suffering from BYU Rugby withdrawal this offseason? Need that perfect gift for the BYU Rugby fan in your family?? Looking for an extra dose of excitement to tide you over until the 2010 college rugby season starts???

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, then it's time to take the BYU Rugby Fanhood Test once again!!!

This second time around, BYU Rugby Forever is looking for those true BYU Rugby fans, new and old, that have a quality story or experience to share as proof of their undying fanhood... and in return, BYU Rugby Forever is offering FREE highlight videos just in time for Gift-giving Season!

The first place winner will receive an HD copy of the recently-released BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video. Second place will receive not one but two DVD copies of the same highlight video. And last but not least, third place will receive one DVD copy of the highlight video.


Just take a moment and answer the following question to let your true blue, BYU Rugby fanhood shine through:

What is your favorite BYU Rugby moment, experience, or memory of all time and why?

Please limit your response to 300 words or less. Narratives may be submitted by email to byurugbyforever@gmail.com or by clicking the "Contact Me" button on the sidebar. Submissions will be accepted for the next three weeks until the 15th of December. Entrants must include their name and mailing address, and grant permission for their narrative to be featured on the BYU Rugby Forever blog.

All BYU Rugby Fans, Friends, and Alumni everywhere and of any age are encouraged to participate!

Good luck, my friends! BYU Rugby Forever anxiously awaits hearing from you...

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BYU Rugby Preseason Report: The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

Nearly two months ago, the BYU Men's Rugby team held it's annual, Fall semester tryouts. While I must admit I was somewhat anxious to see who would be returning, I was especially intrigued to see what new players would come out of the woodwork...

Amongst the 50+ players hitting the bags, I am pleased to say that a few familiar faces from last season are back in the mix, namely, Pila Vimahi, Haini Leaaetoa, Sean Howard, Mike Price, Mikey Su'a, Apenisa Malani, Joey Mount, and Andrew Harrison. Also, a number of notable players have returned to the Cougars after serving LDS missions: TJ Allred, David Root, and Ryan Roundy.

As far as the newbies go, well... we've got some potential, folks, very raw potential that is! Although a number of the fellas dawned Highland and United rugby garb, it was obvious that quite a few of the other hopefuls were recently-recycled from the beloved BYU Football team's cuts the day before. And although these boys looked pretty fit to be sure, their 'deer-in-the-headlights' performance in the recent scrimmage against UVU left some of us Super Fans wondering...

Now, before I spout off in a fit of circular logic, let me at least give this report some order... I'll break it down in three parts: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.

The Good: BYU Rugby is BYU Rugby is BYU Rugby.

Okay, that may sound lame, but let's face it... BYU has had some truly scattered performances in past preseasons. But somehow, someway, our BYU coaches and players always find a way to corral any errant emotions, individualistic play, or disorganized execution to produce a winning team by the time the regular season gets into full swing.

At the recent tryouts, I must say that I was impressed by the intensity with which the coaches kept the boys moving. One specific drill had them switching positions on the ground at Coach Wayne's call before finally hopping up to hit and wrap the bag. That may not sound too difficult, but when you consider that there were at least 10 stations to cycle through continuously, then you can only imagine how tiring it was. Good to see the bar has been raised! (Note to football recruits: Welcome to rugby where the tackling never stops!)

One positive here for the team thus far: it looks like we've got some pretty physically solid fellas in the ranks, especially in the forwards. Now... if they can get BYU Rugby in their brains and down to their fingers and toes, then we'll have a good crop of talent for next season!

The Bad: BYU is going to further limit the amount of players on the BYU Men's Rugby roster to some 40 players or so.

You would think that the university would be more willing to expand the program after its first National Title rather than handicap it... Yeah, it's an interesting thought. But perhaps we fans just need to maintain the optimistic viewpoint held by the BYU Rugby coaches that a smaller roster actually improves the team's potential for development. We'll see...

Another area that looks to be somewhat shaky this preseason is the BYU backline (I know, say it ain't so!). Just when it looked like Our Boys had really put together a solid crew to take the load off the forwards, it's back to the drawing board. Yes, there are some solid returning starters in Dylan Lubbe and Tupu Folau, but the rest are basically still in the woodwork.

I hate to say it, but if the BYU backline can't return to that high level of fluidity we saw last season, then all of us BYU Rugby fans might be witnessing a whole load of rolling mauls and PCs from the forward pack as in previous years...

Prove me wrong fellas, please... for your own sakes!

The Ugly: The total slop of a scrimmage many of us witnessed take place between BYU and UVU a couple of weeks ago was sad to the point of receiving the label, "DEMOTIVATING."

Considering the lack of publicity for the match, a relatively large crowd still turned out on a rainy night only to witness garbage in motion (sssssuuuuupppppeeeerrrr ssssllllloooowwwww mmmmmooooottttiiiioooonnnn) ... sorry, but that's not rugby, my friends. True rugby carries with it a pleasant, aesthetic quality; rubbish does not.

I thought and still believe that a scrimmage is meant to be a point of observation and learning for coaches, players, and especially new recruits. Too bad staring at a pile of dung doesn't improve your rugby skills or understanding whatsoever...

And to think I was tempted to pitch the blame on the newly converted football players... But no, I'm not going to do that, folks, as fun as it would be (and as much as they appeared to have zero clue about what to do on the pitch). Instead, I'm going to throw the whole blanket over all of us who know better: coaches, players, alumni, and otherwise rugby-enlightened individuals. If we don't help out, then who will???

So here it is, my friends, after a brutal dose of soapbox speak... I invite you to share your thoughts, offer some coaching and expertise, give of yourselves, or do something, anything, to continue in the growth and improvement of what we all hope every year will be BYU's greatest sports team, the BYU Rugby team!

For starters, or "for newbies" I should say, I offer my house as a venue to learn more about rugby on the big screen.

All of you football players that don't know what people keep telling you to do: come on over, watch some rugby, and ask questions. Take a moment in your off-time to get rugby in your heads! All of you high school transplants, secondary, and starters: Come on over and teach each other the game; learn and see how BYU should get it done every time!

Suffice it to say that the window of potential for improvement is wide open, and thus BYU Rugby Forever invites you and I to do our part... After all, we want BYU Rugby to continue to be BYU Rugby for a long, long time!!!
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BYU Rugby vs. UVU scrimmage!!!

To all my beloved BYU Rugby enthusiasts:

I'm sorry I didn't know about this opportunity with more anticipation...


The BYU Rugby team will scrimmage against UVU, Tuesday, October 13, at 7:00 pm!!!!!


Join the Super Fans at Helaman Field in Provo to witness the madness!!!


View My Saved Places in a larger map

That's TOMORROW EVENING, just to clarify... so come and see some fun rugby!
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BYU Rugby team recognized at BYU Football game

If you're a faithful BYU Rugby fan, then I suppose this is old news... but regardless, let it be known that at least a few of us BYU Rugby Super Fans were there for Our Boys' moment of fame!

The BYU Rugby team were recently recognized at the BYU Football team's home game against Utah State on October second. As they lined up on the field, a short video played on the jumbo-tron featuring a hodgepodge of clips from the BYU Rugby team's undefeated season and National Final win... pretty sweet, fellas! (BYU Rugby photo)

And so a sizable 'thank you' is in order for the BYU Athletic Department and the BYU Football team: Thank You for your courage! ... (that is, in acknowledging at a BYU Football game that BYU's greatest sport isn't football!) :D I'll take it, folks!

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ERugbyNews College Rugby Preseason Rankings: BYU at #2

About a week ago, the other heavyweight in US rugby news reporting, ERugbyNews, weighed in with their own "Top 25" college rugby picks.

In a slightly more generous move than that offered by American Rugby News, ERugbyNews slotted BYU at #2.







2009-2010 Preseason
ERugbyNews Men's DI College Top 25

1 California
2 BYU
3 San Diego State
4 Army
5 Penn State
6 St. Mary's
7 Arkansas State
8 LSU
9 Cal Poly
10 Utah
11 Navy
12 Central Washington
13 Wyoming
14 Colorado State
15 Kutztown
16 Air Force
17 Dartmouth
18 Minnesota
19 Notre Dame
20 Texas A&M
21 Arizona
22 Rutgers
23 UC Davis
24 Syracuse
25 UC Santa Barbara

While ERN's Alex Goff was quick to take credit for ranking BYU at #1 last season, nevertheless his rationale reveals a continuing hesitancy to get off the Cal cloud:

"Last season ERugbyNews had BYU at #1 for a large portion of the season, and saw the Cougars eke out a national championship. So they start at #1 this time around right? Well, no. Our take on the Top 25 for 2009-2010 is simply this: last year’s performance matters, but you also have to give us some feeling that you have the staying power to repeat this coming season.

"Cal has always had the consistency, and that’s the chief reason (along with an outstanding group of youngsters coming up) they are #1. BYU sits at #2 and San Diego State is #3. The Aztecs, we believe, will weather the loss of their head coach and continue to improve."

Well folks, at least Alex Goff had the guts to give BYU the #1 spot during last season... even if he retracted it during the National Championships. One point awarded to ERN.

That being said, however, I still question the reasoning behind placing BYU at #2 prior to the start of the season... Why wouldn't you put the reigning national champion at #1, even if only out of respect for their accomplishment? After all, speculation only goes so far before any games have been played... so why run and hide behind Cal's coattails at the start of every season regardless?

I know what the response is... believe me, I do. Cal's "consistency" earns them the favored spot every year, whether they have a plethora of returning starters or not. (And what of other teams' players?) Maybe it's just too easy to discount other teams in the face of Cal's obviously successful track record...

Now, enter BYU into the mix... have Our Boys at least been consistent in their tournament appearances? Have they been improving at all? Has the program progressively grown over the years? OF COURSE!!! And not only BYU, but look at up and coming programs just a step down, such as Arkansas State, San Diego State, Dartmouth, St. Mary's, and others. They're only growing hungrier each year...

Sure, BYU got to take their first bite (certainly not the last!) out of Cal this past time around, but in the near future, I'd rather wager that they won't be the lone dog in the pack for long... after all, it's college rugby we're talking about here!!!

Before I get too worked up, I want to switch tones by saying that, however questionable ERN's or ARN's rankings might seem, I'm secretly glad that BYU isn't at #1...

We really don't need it and actually don't want it. Cal can take the spotlight; they can have the "throne" all they want during the season. Why? Fuel for the fire, my friends, more fuel! We want to win! We want to be #1!!! And honestly, if BYU is already on top the whole season, then inevitably some of the feeling and perspective going into tournament time becomes more defensive in nature rather than offensive... bottom line, that's not BYU's style. We don't want an adrenaline drop anytime soon!

So, in the end, I suppose I should extend my thanks to Alex Goff and ERN. Second is the best anyway, right? Well, actually, that just might be true for Our Boys... Say what you will, but I'd much rather the BYU Rugby team be underestimated (e.g. BYU last season) than overestimated (e.g. Utah last season)!

Enough talk... it's time to get back to work. We need to show the nation that the BYU Rugby team is much more than consistent: they are actually expanding in depth, scope, and self expectation with every passing day. And that's an uphill road I prefer to stay on...

In the words of Winston Churchill, "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."

And so shall the BYU Rugby team survive and thrive on!
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BYU Rugby Prop Mikey Su'a: Interview of the Week

The long wait and anticipation is over as the 'Interview of the Week' series finally features none other than big BYU Prop and All-American, Mikey Su'a. Joining the ranks of what seems to be an increasingly consistent BYU presence on the Collegiate All-American roster, Mikey's selection to the squad granted him the chance to compete internationally earlier this month.

Throughout the regular season and National Tournament, Mikey's dominant physical presence and surprising mobility on the field excited BYU Rugby teammates and fans alike. And as a clutch player, his flexibility and growing test experience enabled him to fill in at the critical Hooker position for Ra Lawrence during the 2009 National Championships. (Photo by Paul Meyers)


BYU Rugby Forever:
In the National Championship final this past May, you received a yellow card just before the end of the match. What exactly happened in that critical situation? In your opinion, did your actions justify the ref's call?

Mikey Su'a:
Well, it was about six minutes until the final whistle. I had just made a tackle at the base of the ruck; I got up, and Kyle Sumsion and myself started to counter-ruck. We both counter-rucked, and then I counter-rucked again...the next thing I know, the referee is giving me a yellow card for "not attempting to wrap in the tackle." I've watched the game film over and over, trying to see what the referee saw, but I still really don't understand the call...but I think all in all, it worked out just fine.

BYU Rugby Forever:
As a selection to the 2009 All-American Traveling Squad, you recently returned from a 3-match tour to South Africa. Please describe your experience, on and off the pitch, for the benefit of us fans. What moment stands out to you as the highlight of the trip?

Mikey Su'a:
Going to South Africa as a part of the All-American Team was an awesome experience. It was a hard but rewarding tour. We started off in Glendale, Colorado, for the first 3 days just training and getting to know our teammates better; then it was about 26 hours of traveling to Cape Town. We trained twice a day for most of the tour just to try to make the most of our opportunity to play together and to try to get used to one another's style of play.

Rugby in South Africa is just a way of life, so to be able to go and be a part of that whole culture was something else! I would have to say that playing in Newlands Stadium was definitely a highlight of the tour. Just to be in the stadium and to see where so many famous matches have been played was a humbling experience.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Several players from Cal Berkeley also traveled with the All-Americans to South Africa. Was it a tough transition to suddenly have to practice with, support, and play alongside your usual rivals? Thoughts? Experiences?

Mikey Su'a:
It really wasn't tough at all. The Cal guys were very easy to get along with. We all knew what we were there for. Part of playing on a team like the All-American Team means that you've probably played against most of your new teammates before you play with them. But being a part of a rugby program like Cal, they know the type of rugby you have to play to be successful, so it was a very easy transition to play with them.

BYU Rugby Forever:
An inevitable question, what's the story on your recruitment experience with the BYU football team? Will you end up playing after all, and if so, at what position?

Mikey Su'a:
Well, I was asked to be on the BYU Football team as a nose guard. After training with them all summer, and some of fall, I was made aware that I did not qualify through the NCAA Clearinghouse. Basically, I didn't take the right amount of "core" classes when I was in high school, so I won't be playing football at all...just concentrating on rugby!

BYU Rugby Forever:
What is your outlook on the upcoming 2009-2010 rugby season? With several key players graduating or leaving on missions, what will the BYU Rugby team need to do to be as competitive as last season?

Mikey Su'a:
We will definitely miss those players that are leaving. No one can replace a Steve St. Pierre, who left such a mark on BYU Rugby. Steve was an example, both on and off the field to our entire team, and the best team captain you could ask for. Guys like Paul Lasike, Kyle Sumsion, and Jordan Lowry, who made such an impact on the field, will be missed but we'll be excited to get them back from their missions.

Over all, we have a very positive outlook on the upcoming season. We are starting our strength and conditioning sessions with Coach Omer and Coach McClure soon, which will help us get in better shape, and then Coach Smyth, Coach Tarawhiti, Coach Kjar, and Coach Nadauld always work us hard. They know what it takes to be successful, so if we as a team can trust the coaches to prepare us, I know we'll be successful this season.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What would you say to all the BYU Rugby fans and alumni around the world if you had the chance?

Mikey Su'a:
I don't think the fans and alumni know how much we sincerely appreciate them. From all those supporters that open their homes to us, to the fans that just cheer for us. Without all of the BYU Rugby supporters, there is no way that BYU Rugby would be at the level it is. At almost every practice, training, or game, our coaches remind us of all the people that help behind the scenes, whether it's BYU Rugby alumni, fans, or just supporters. We know who you are and we thank you!

BYU Rugby Forever:
Thanks for your time and consideration, and congratulations on the opportunity to represent the US internationally! Good luck this coming year!

Mikey Su'a:
Thanks for the interview opportunity, bro!
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ARN College Rugby Preseason Rankings: BYU at #3

With many college rugby teams in the nation already slated to play a few preseason matches in the coming months, American Rugby News has 'gotten the jump' on the rest of the internet community by releasing its "Preseason Top 25", along with commentary supporting their picks.

Despite taking the National Championship this past season, the BYU Rugby team comes in with a #3 ranking behind Cal Berkeley and Arkansas State.

1 California
2 Arkansas State
3 BYU
4 Kutztown
5 St Mary’s
6 Army
7 LSU
8 San Diego State
9 Penn State
10 Arizona
11 Dartmouth
12 Cal Poly
13 Central Washington
14 Utah
15 Texas A&M
16 Florida
17 Navy
18 UC Davis
19 Virginia Tech
20 Colorado State
21 Rutgers
22 Sacramento State
23 Bowling Green
24 Washington State
25 Oklahoma

According to ARN's Brian Lowe, BYU's #1 finish last season was basically a fluke, not to be repeated any time soon:

"Right off the bat we don’t think BYU will repeat as national champions.

"Granted their run to the title last season was nothing short of spectacular, it’s just that we reckon much like in college football nowadays, it’s darn near impossible for most teams to repeat as champions.

"Sure, Cal has done it on a regular basis during the last couple of decades but they are the exception rather than the rule.

"In football parlance, BYU is probably akin to USC in that the Trojans won a national championship a few years ago and while they’re always in the mix they haven’t been able to get back to the promised land since.

"Cal is kind of like Florida, or perhaps it should be the other way around. The Golden Bears and Gators have been the most consistent in their respective sports in recent years, although Florida of course has been by no means as dominant as UC Berkeley."

While I have great respect for Brian Lowe, I must say that this college football analogy is less than functional... and not just because I despise USC and Florida!

First off, a "national champion" in college football isn't a title earned by eliminating the competition in a playoff system; rather, it is more of a gift granted by the deficient and self-serving BCS format.

For this reason, Cal receives even more respect for their accomplishments; no matter how much any of us dislikes Cal or wishes to downplay their program's achievements, no one can deny that they are the premier collegiate rugby team in America.

Florida, on the other hand, is the fluke in this whole equation if you ask me. Any team with a money-grubbing, Benedict Arnold of a coach isn't bound for lasting greatness... absolutely no comparison with the legendary Jack Clark. And Florida's so-called "Superman" quarterback will be a blip on the radar when all is said and done...

If you don't believe me, go back and watch the 2007 Capital One Bowl! The same team that was shamed and shunned by all for losing to Appalachian State in their season opener completely snubbed the highly-touted, "underrated" Gators! Florida couldn't buy their freedom, let alone a break, and so, as was appropriate, Lloyd Carr rode out into the sunset of Michigan glory!!!

Okay, okay, I know I'm getting carried away here... football season is just a tick away, and I'm getting the itch! But it stands that you can't compare a team with barely 3 national titles (Florida) with one that can claim 24 true titles (Cal); and conversely, you can't compare BYU to USC, who, ironically, holds claim to 11 national titles... seems like ARN should've switched up the analogy!

Enough college football talk, and no hard feelings toward Brian... after all, he's not a homegrown American anyway! So, back to college rugby. Although the football comparison fails, the real reasoning behind the rankings is about as sound as anyone could propose at this point. All we can take into consideration are teams' rosters: how many returning starters will be in the mix and how much experience the promoted secondary/newcomers will bring to the table.

All things considered, a #3 ranking is not bad... not bad at all. And although that ranking might drop throughout the fall season (if BYU again opts to not play any fall matches), let's just hope Our Boys can step up to the task once again to build upon the most amazing and legitimate National Title of any BYU sport ever!

Nothing is impossible... but the ball's in our court now. Great expectations, my friends... all eyes are on the BYU Men's Rugby team and rightfully so! Let's take the pressure and use it to our advantage, to exceed ourselves, to upend the competition once more!

Say it with me now... "BYU Rugby FOREVER!"

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