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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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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BYU Rugby Scrumhalf Shaun Davies on Rugby H2H

Earlier this year, scrumhalf Shaun Davies dawned new colors for a spell at the USA Rugby College Championships, a sort of regional all-star romp to see who's the best at their position and prime for filling a spot on the Collegiate All-American squad.

Of course Our Boy stepped in good fashion and, no surprise, became a 2010 All-Star and All-American. Here's a video snippet (hosted by Rugby Head 2 Head) of some Shaun Davies highlights. You can see the video on youtube by clicking HERE.

Enjoy!
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BYU Rugby Assistant Coach Kimball Kjar: Interview of the Week

In a departure from the usual, "Interview of the Week" introduction, I would like to preface this particular interview with a personal story. And while I'm sure Coach Kjar probably doesn't recall this experience, there's no way I would soon forget it...

As a freshman, I tried out and made the BYU Rugby team in the Fall of 2001. At that time, Coach Kjar was also on the team as a junior or senior starter. He had recently been selected to be a member of the US National Team, and so many of us new players didn't know what to expect.

It wasn't often that he practiced directly with all of us less-experienced players, and so I think many of us harbored a sort of uncertainty and intimidation with respect to his capabilities. There came a day, however, when we had to do tackling drills... against Eagle and All-American Scrumhalf Kimball Kjar...

Suffice it to say that we got a firsthand lesson in destruction... and I say we because it was actually three of us players that tried to take him down at the same time... Yeah... "tried"... we might as well have been trying to uproot a tree trunk! He carried the three of us probably a good ten meters or so before stopping (that is, I don't think he ever got taken down)...

Thank goodness we were all on the same team! That's all I have to say about that... ;)

And so, without further ado, BYU Rugby Forever humbly presents this week's guest, a former BYU Rugby star, All-American, US Eagle, and now BYU Rugby Assistant Coach, Kimball Kjar. (Paul Meyers Photo)


BYU Rugby Forever:
Throughout your rugby career, you essentially ran the gamut of opportunities available in the realm of American rugby. Now that you are off the pitch, acting as an assistant coach, how has your perspective of the game changed? What factors enabled the transition from player to coach?

Kimball Kjar:
The perspective is simply flipped. When you’re playing you need to know what your coaches are thinking and what their expectations are in order to perform to your best ability. As a coach you are asking yourself questions about what the players are thinking and what their expectations are. Anticipating those things as a player and a coach is one of the things that I believe make a player or coach successful.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What is your end-goal with respect to the future of the BYU Rugby program?

Kimball Kjar:
Primarily, I want to continue to help make BYU rugby what it was for me—a place where a person can grow mentally, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The uniqueness of our goals and objectives on and off the field make our program a brotherhood compared to no other and those relationships will be carried for the rest of a player’s life.

After that, I think I’d be dishonest if I didn’t say I wanted to see us continue to win rugby games, win the Wasatch Cup and compete every year for a national championship.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What adjustments will the BYU Rugby team have to make this year with cutbacks being made to the former, near-50-man roster? Any potential depth issues? Other concerns?

Kimball Kjar:
There are benefits and drawbacks. You just have to focus on what things you have control over—good or bad. Fortunately, we have a great staff and support system behind the scenes of the program that make any cutbacks in roster size a good thing. We can focus on recruiting more poignantly, our trainings are more focused and the pace is at a higher level since the talent continues to increase every year amongst our entire team.

With all this we can as coaches focus on developing a team that is playing at a high level instead of having to spread ourselves over 80+ players like we used to in the past. But looking back on last year when we were first faced with the cut in roster size, the benefits have clearly outweighed the drawbacks.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Please describe your experience during the 2009 National Title match against Cal Berkeley. What did the win mean for you and for the program? Future implications?

Kimball Kjar:
Words can hardly describe how pleased I was with last year’s team. They faced adversity from every corner and proved to be one of the most mentally-tough teams I’ve seen at BYU in a long time. They proved their mettle throughout the season and in that title match to come back against the best program in the country.

Honestly, I think it got a big monkey off our back of being the consummate doormat rival of Cal for three years in a row, but I believe it will open up greater and more competitive rugby across the country. If the 2009 season was any implication of the rising standard of collegiate rugby, then the future is bright for not only BYU, but for other teams to compete against the best like Cal. Teams like Arkansas State, San Diego State, Dartmouth, LSU, PSU, Army and others are showing that rugby on the collegiate level has a bright spot in USA Rugby’s future.

BYU Rugby Forever:
As a coach, what points do you primarily focus on with players to ensure their skill development, personally and collectively?

Kimball Kjar:
I was an effort-based player. I wasn’t always the handiest or most expert player, but I made up for it with my preparation and maximum effort on the field. I expect the same from the players I coach. In other words, we train our backs like we expect them to play—fast, hard, dynamically and smart. It’s the individual player’s onus to take charge of training in that fashion and it’s the group’s responsibility to ensure that the individuals are adhering to the same high level objectives.

In that way, the group becomes a self-governing entity that only needs mild correcting and coaching along the way. I wish I could say I had anything strategically to do with our back’s play in that national championship comeback, but it was their internal will to win and rugby acumen that aided to the team’s success. Not my coaching. That game was a good example of our preparation model: the basic skills coupled with effort beget sound rugby principles, and those principles coupled with good decision-making from the individual player and team begets a successful outcome. I try to build our back line play around those ideals.

BYU Rugby Forever:
How can we BYU Rugby alumni and/or fans everywhere better support the program? Thoughts?

Kimball Kjar:
We are one of the luckiest programs in the country to have the following and support of the fan base that we do. I can’t say how many times I’ve been stopped by someone to say congratulations on our national championship. The community around BYU and here in the state has firmly latched on to our success and the administration has been great with helping us off the field.

Our Alumni have always been there for us and we couldn’t have done any of this without not only their financial support, but also their leading our program to where it is today through their own contributions on the field when they played without the chance to compete for a national championship. We hope that we can continue to live up to the ideal set by our Alumni, our administration and our many fans. Keep cheering the Cougars on!

BYU Rugby Forever:
Many thanks for the insights, Coach Kjar. Best of luck this season!

Kimball Kjar:
No worries. Thank you as well.
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BYU Rugby Team featured in YouTube clip

Thanks to an anonymous comment on the previous post, I found this fun YouTube video clip. It features footage of the BYU Rugby team's win against Cal interspersed among clips of other college matches between teams, such as, Cal, San Diego State, Penn State, and others. BYU Winger Vito Qaqa appears to have been the subject of the most photogenic scenes, appearing in many of the spots highlighting the BYU Rugby team.

The message of the video is simple: American college rugby is the greatest, most addicting sport out there for players and fans alike. And, of course, there's BYU at the heart of it all!

Enjoy!

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