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 Fanhood Test #1

Hey BYU Rugby fans! There always comes a time when each and every one of us must 'prove our grit' so to speak... Well, that time is now!

Take a moment, and see if you've got enough BYU Rugby fanhood to pass this little test (no cheating allowed!). Post your answers in a reply to this post (without looking at the answers given by others), and the first person to correctly answer all ten questions will receive a "BYU Rugby Super Fan" shirt, compliments of BYU Rugby Forever.


1. Name at least five players on the current BYU Rugby starting lineup.

2. In what year was the BYU Rugby team founded?

3. Name at least one of the BYU Rugby coaches and his nation of origin.

4. Have you donated to the Cougar Rugby Foundation this year?

5. How many National Tournament appearances (at least Sweet 16) has the BYU Rugby team made in the last five years?

6. How many BYU Rugby matches, home or away, have you attended in the last two years?

7. Do you already have your tickets to the upcoming ESPNU Game of the Week against Utah?

8. Name at least three All-Americans and one US Eagle that played for the BYU Rugby team.

9. Have you already donated to the BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009 effort?

10. Who does the BYU Rugby team play this coming weekend?

If you can confidently and positively answer all these questions, then I congratulate you on being a true BYU Rugby fan of unquestionable fanhood!

If not... well... there's still a chance for you to become converted. Come to a game; check out the BYU Rugby website; or send me a message... everyone can become a BYU Rugby fan!

Now, for those of you who found this test to be too easy... you have my deep respect. I can only ask for your continued support in making BYU the #1 collegiate rugby program in the nation and in converting dozens of fans along the way...

Thank you to all you devoted fans of the BYU Rugby team; may success ever be our goal!

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BYU Rugby wallops Wyoming

A perfect, crisp spring evening... A fresh, new pitch... A new stadium packed near capacity... Last Saturday represented every BYU Rugby player's dream come true. And the team certainly rose to the occasion, decisively thrashing #22 Wyoming, 73-3.

Only one word can describe the BYU Rugby team's routing of Wyoming: RELENTLESS! Again, there was talk that the opponent of the week might put up a fight. After all, they had beaten Utah in the preseason, 24-20, and had put up 37 points on #1-ranked Cal Berkeley this season (no one else has put up more than 20 so far). Nevertheless, BYU again removed all doubt with a decisive victory over a ranked team... the victim of the week being Wyoming.

As always, I must still give credit to the opposition where it's due. Wyoming, in spite of a sad first half, managed to stifle a number of BYU scoring attempts in the second half. Kudos to their defense for not giving up; BYU has tended to rip opponents wide open in the second half, running up the score as the defense crumbles. Wyoming, however, rallied in the second half and actually fended off many of BYU's frequent threats to keep the scoring more balanced than in previous matches.

Another credit goes to Wyoming for actually showing up to play as planned... I can't offer the same to Penn State or Colorado who both backed out of their commitment to play BYU on short notice. Both good programs? Yes... but every team has to take a few on the chin every once in a while. Just suck it up and take it (ask the BYU football team; they know what I mean!).

Finally, the majority of my praise goes to Our boys for putting on a great show in their first South Field appearance. No slow start this time, folks... No siree! BYU started the scoring quickly like never before (the scoreboard clock showed approximately 37:30, i.e. only about two and a half minutes had elapsed). And, drawing upon my previously mentioned buzzword, the BYU team as a whole was relentless in their offensive attack of the Wyoming line. It seemed like all the players were running the ball and driving it downfield throughout the entire match. I don't know if the high energy level was due to the new, hypnotic striped jerseys, excess of fans, or what exactly, but the players did not let up at any time.

Perhaps this over anxiousness was also their only weakness. A number of dropped balls from bad passes and knock-ons, as well as a fair amount of penalties, nullified several fast-paced drives that would have run up the score nearer to one-hundred points! But the BYU defense obviously didn't allow much retaliation anyway (not that Wyoming ever got to the point of formulating a solid attack). So, oh well, maybe this weekend against UVU or Boise State we will see an even more ridiculous score...

Good work fellas; that was one of the most exciting home games I have attended in a long time (the crowd of almost 2,000 people definitely added to the ambiance!). Just keep it up and, before you know it, we'll all be heading back to the Big Dance for the fourth year in a row!

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Expectations exceeded: BYU tops Denver!

Well, I had my doubts, folks... I admit it. Perhaps all the talk about the Barbarians touting former and current USA Eagles got me secretly worried that BYU might get hammered like last year (a 68-12 loss). Yes, I know that last year's mostly-seconds' squad was the best that the BYU Rugby team had to offer due to numerous injured starters... but this year I still feared the strength and experience of the Denver side (you know, what with their 'old man strength' and all that goes with it!).

Reading Coach Wayne Tarawhiti's comments regarding BYU's 32-20 win, however, turned my anxiety into excitement: “We wanted the guys to come out in the first 10 minutes and go full-out... And they did that to their credit. I think we caught these guys [Denver] a little by surprise in the first ten minutes.”

That's how it's done against tough teams... there's something about those first ten or fifteen minutes that can make or break a team's spirit. The same holds true at the start of the second half... but a team already substantially broken in the first half does not easily recover in time (e.g. BYU's first National Championship appearance vs. Cal Berkeley in '06, a sickeningly close, 26-29 loss).

And so I must express a renewed sense of optimism and energy for BYU's 2009 National Championship prospects... after all, our boys just beat a seasoned Super League team with more than one USA Team member on its roster!

But before looking too far into the sunset, the BYU Rugby team must face a most formidable opponent in #5-ranked, arch rival Utah this coming weekend. With the coveted Wasatch Cup on the line, as well as playoff seedings, this match threatens to be the biggest barn-burner of the season!

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Crosstown Rivalry 2009: BYU vs. UVU

Just yesterday, BYU humbled its closest neighbor and crosstown rival, Utah Valley University, by a score of 56-0. The match, although a shutout, was nevertheless hard-fought by the Wolverines who threatened to cross the goal line on multiple occasions but to no avail. Nearly fifteen minutes in, the match remained scoreless as both teams struggled to fully break through the opposition's defense.

In contrast to the first half hour of the game, however, BYU proceeded to methodically punch holes in the UVU line to touch down several times before the final whistle. I wasn't able to stay for the seconds' game, but I saw in the article posted on the BYU Rugby website that it was surely more of a blowout than the first match to the tune of 84 points to none.

I just want to offer my congratulations to the BYU men on a solid win... and my respects to the UVU side who nevertheless deserves recognition for fending off BYU's offensive, if only for the first fifteen minutes (which accomplishment, as mentioned in a previous post, actually distinguishes just how solid and strong a team is when facing off against BYU's seasoned squad).

Remember, my friends, that UVU finished last season with a National Runner-up status, equivalent to that of BYU, the only difference being that UVU still plays at the Division II level. I was actually a tad anxious to see how Utah's newest 'rugby powerhouse' would perform against BYU, especially given last season's unusually low-scoring and tough match (the final score of which was only 37-3; not exactly a pummeling by BYU's standards!).

But perhaps this shutout win for BYU thus reveals a better coordinated and unified offense as compared to last year. My extra credit goes to the backline for establishing more fluid passing plays by being in the right places at all the right times. And one try in particular truly blew my mind (I'll have to check the game film to verify, but I swear there was one phase in which nearly eight or nine Cougars touched the ball in a non-stop effort that went the entire length of the field)! Talk about a fine display of textbook rugby, man oh man!

(Looks like y'all will only be able to see what I mean by ordering a copy of the BYU Rugby Highlight Video 2009 currently in production!)

So, that's that, folks... I could go on, but the upcoming matches on the BYU Rugby schedule look to be more definitive 'tests' and as such will surely provide even more opportunity for commentary...

Good luck to our boys in the coming weeks as they prepare for their toughest bouts yet this season against the highly-touted Super League squad, the Denver Barbarians, and later, against BYU's most great and worthy opponent, the rival Utes of Utah!

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A little bit of shock and awe and... well... SMITING!

Where do I begin? The BYU Rugby juggernaut just chewed up and spat out #2-ranked Penn State, 86-14! Wow!!! ... Wow!!! .............. And wow again!!!

And so comes the deluge of inevitable questions...

Was Penn State way overrated? Sure. Is BYU really that good? As sure as anything good. What about #1 Cal Berkeley's massive, 105-3 win on the day over Chico State? Doesn't that ridiculous drubbing carry some kind of implications with it for BYU's National Title hopes??? I'm sure it does... but right now, I surely don't care.

BYU just put the hurt on a Penn State squad that seems to only see an ever-rising point margin in its last five bouts with BYU over the course of five years: on 4/17/05, BYU won by 9 points (44-35); 2/17/06, BYU by 32 points (42-10); 5/5/06, BYU by 49 points (52-3); 5/14/07, BYU by 41 (53-12... okay, so that margin slightly stopped the trend, but humor me a little here); and finally on 1/31/09, BYU takes it away, winning by 72! Ouch! Sorry Lions, but things haven't really been getting much better for you over the years against your Cougar counterparts!

Now, all things considered, don't point the finger at me for mercilessly bragging and snubbing my nose at Penn State...

On the contrary, I maintain a great respect for PSU... truly, I do. They are persistent and competitive enough to be a top-ranked team every year, no questions asked. And besides, BYU has similarly felt the ill effects of increasing point differentials in three years of painful losses to the notorious (is "infamous" any less harsh?) Cal Berkeley Golden Bears... Ughhhh! Bad taste in my mouth just at the thought...

But let's end on a positive note, shall we?

A win is a win, so they say... and, an avalanche is... well... no one really ever survives to say what that's like! (Ok, sorry to all the PSU fans out there; I will cease and desist with my oh-so-not-subtle digs at your expense.)

Best of luck to the Lions throughout the rest of the season, and to our Mighty BYU Cougars, ... ad victoriam et vitam aeternam!

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Turning it up a few notches

So only a few minutes before publishing my previous post, the 2008 roster for the Men's team was posted on the BYU website along with commentary on various transfer players and new recruits. Looks like the team now boasts a sizable roster with much more depth and potential than previously thought. Not that all of my comments were completely overruled by the article, but the BYU team has definitely expanded more so than I perceived.

http://www.hometeamsonline.com/teams/default.asp?u=BYURUGBY&sport=htosports&t=c&p=home&s=htosports

I was especially impressed to see the wide range of freshmen players that already have some quality experience to bring to the table. Perhaps BYU will increase in depth as a program to rival that of Cal Berkeley sooner than expected. I give credit to the coaching staff for their foresight and obvious effort to recruit more widely than I have ever witnessed. In fact, the recruiting efforts of only the last two or three years represented a big advance over previous years; BYU was even able to offer some scholarship assistance to a player or two. Yet, these efforts only resulted in the acquisition of a couple players a year. This year, in terms of recruiting, represents a great milestone for the BYU Men's Rugby team: 8 freshmen recruits, 3 transfer players, and a handful (perhaps two handfuls) of 'walk-ons' from tryouts.

Wow! Just when doubt would try to creep in, BYU recruiting yields dividends above and beyond those of any previous season! And think about the repercussions for recruiting in the future if BYU again debuts in the National Championship match!

No doubts anymore, my friends. Things are on the up for our team... now we must simply wait to witness the new team in action, to witness the beast devouring its prey.

I will add any posts of relevance before that time comes... but until then, kudos to the BYU Men's Rugby team coaches and staff for turning it up a few in anticipation of this upcoming season. The rest of us can breathe easy while your work has only just begun!
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2007-2008 Season Wrap-up & Thoughts

Well folks, just a few thoughts about the '07-'08 season. I must admit I had my doubts, what with the loss of several star players from the year previous, but BYU still managed to get to the Big Dance against Cal Berkeley for the 3rd consecutive year. I think that proves BYU is a legitimate team; both the coaches and players were motivated enough to get all the way back to the national championship game despite having more less-experienced players than usual on the starting squad.

As I said, I was rather skeptical at the start of the season; newer players didn't look to be fully 'getting it', and more experienced players didn't exactly look dazzling either. I suppose that when you come away from a season in which BYU outscored opponents an average ratio of 10:1, then your expectations are somewhat inflated. Nevertheless, BYU managed to beat Utah solidly in their usual preseason bout, 34-10, but only beat Texas A&M 22-11 (if I remember correctly, the score would have been greater if not for so many missed kicks for points).

Once the regular season started in the spring, I wasn't completely sure BYU would be able to put it together in time to be as competitive in the National Championship as all four previous years. In an attempt to gain more experience, BYU took on three different Men's club teams throughout the season and lost to all (barely to Park City Haggis, which team was lucky the officiating was shocking, seriously!). These losses were a mental blow but not too much so since they came against men's teams... when I heard BYU lost to Colorado, however, I was just plain shocked! I mean, where did Colorado come from??? My brother was quick to tell me that BYU had injured starters that couldn't play, and apparently Colorado was awarded one or two penalty tries early in the game. Still, I have high expectations of the BYU Men's Rugby Team always, and I was unpleasantly surprised by the loss.

The Wasatch Cup match proved to be most interesting. Over the years, the annual match between the University of Utah and BYU has proven to be more of a battle than a test. This year's match, however, was quite calm. Any fighting that did break out was quickly and easily subdued... and all the while, the score was incredibly close. I thought that tensions would be enough to make everyone snap, but hats off to all the fellas for keeping a cool head. It was almost too clean, too quiet. After BYU won 30-27, there was very little fanfare between players and fans. Everybody, in general, seemed rather sluggish over a win that should have felt like a real barn-burner.

With the win, BYU automatically qualified for the round of 16 to face Dartmouth in the National Tournament. But before tourney time, BYU lifted their spirits by beating on Air Force 54-10 (vengeance for BYU's loss at home four years earlier) and shutting out Utah State 65-0.

By the time the Sweet 16 weekend came around, BYU had definitely improved as a team in their overall execution and coordination. BYU emerged successful over Dartmouth in the first round, 48-22, in what many said was a much closer game than the score showed. Dartmouth displayed a dynamic style of play but didn't quite have enough to get the edge on BYU.

The second round yielded a similar result. I actually got to watch most of the game online, and I must say, BYU pretty well broke San Diego State in the first half by establishing a solid, double-digit lead. In spite of having a few talented players, SDSU couldn't ever manage to string together more than a couple phases before being crushed by the BYU defense. BYU walked away with a W, 37-14.

I felt a sigh of relief, since my preseason fears had so far been upended... but in the back of my mind, I knew that perhaps BYU's most formidable opponent, save Cal Berkeley, was Colorado (the only college club to beat BYU in the regular season). And BYU had to face them in the Final Four in two weeks to be able to make it three straight years against Cal in the Final Game. Needless to say, I felt quite tense. On the one hand, I knew that BYU would definitely put up a fight to avenge their earlier loss, and I knew that Colorado had barely squeaked by Utah, 31-30, and by Penn State, 58-55 in overtime. On the other hand, I knew that both Utah and Penn State were solid opponents and that Colorado boasted a star player of sorts, Maximo de Achaval.

I was literally gripping my seat (at home watching online again) as the match kicked off. I can't remember exactly when BYU scored... all I know is that I jumped out of the office chair I was sitting in and thrust it down hard (I was still holding on tight to the armrests); in my moment of glee, I broke off one of the rollers. I felt a pang of guilt mingle easily with my anxiety, since the chair belongs to my roommate... but luckily, he wasn't home...

Shortly after BYU's first score, Colorado managed to get close to their 10-meter line, and as I looked on in disbelief, Senor de Achaval coolly posted three points with a drop-goal... a drop-goal, folks! I've only ever seen a few of those attempted in all of the college matches I've attended, and only a couple such attempts were successful. Hmmm, so maybe this Maximo guy was legit... BYU scored once more (again missing the conversion... tough day for Tim Steflik), and Colorado answered with another three points off a penalty kick by de Achaval, making the score 10-6. I thought it would continue to be a close game, but BYU's tenacity proved too much for Colorado, especially when de Achaval was injured just before halftime. The score at the half was 25-6 in BYU's favor.

BYU's pack (forwards) were dominant, as always, and set the standard not only defensively but also offensively. Props to Derek Smith (no pun intended) for coming out of the woodwork to score four tries (crazy!). BYU's back line maintained a coordinated defensive and offensive push as well, an accomplishment that they have rarely been consistent in achieving. In the second half, BYU racked up more points while Colorado limped around, literally: Maximo de Achaval came back to play most all of the second half with one leg completely covered in tape; I've never seen anything like it. Yet again to his credit, he let loose a high kick later in the game from about ten meters out and managed to get there to gather it himself and touch down for a try! Insane! He also nailed the conversion to score all thirteen of Colorado's points on the day. And all the while, Tim Steflik was cold as ice (missed five conversion attempts)until finally hitting the point-after kick on BYU's last try of the day. No matter, BYU rolled over Colorado, 42-13.

Revenge is sweet, so they say, but I almost felt sorry for Colorado. They were clearly dominated from the beginning, and to add to their woes, the team champion was incapacitated during all the second half. My respects, nonetheless.

Now, to speak or not to speak of Cal... Honestly, I can't say too much, since I didn't even get to see the Final Game as I was traveling at the time. And I think I am probably a better person as a result. Late that night, I saw the score on AmericanRugbyNews.com, felt quite demoralized, and went to bed. Thank goodness I was out of the country, or I might have done or said something overly irrational!

Well, the final score was 59-7 (in Cal's favor, if you didn't gather that by now) with BYU scoring very late in the game to at least put something on the board. What a shocker, especially after such a sweet win against Colorado! Sad! From what I gathered from a few BYU players, the match was probably the worst BYU played all season, physically and mentally, and probably the best Cal did... Hmmm, how about the worst moment ever to poop out, fellas??? Three years in a row, we have lost to Cal and each year by a larger margin of points. As much as I wish to sympathize with BYU, I'd rather make a pitch for all of us to wake up! All of us, players, coaches, and fans, need to step it up more than ever before if we are to bring home the ever-coveted National Collegiate Title.

And it's possible. I know it is. I will live to see the day when BYU rugby not only beats but embarrasses Cal in the Final Game. Perhaps the time is not yet. Perhaps the day will come while my sons are playing for BYU. Perhaps while my grandsons are playing for BYU. Perhaps while I am on my deathbed, about to kick the bucket, I will finally see BYU victorious with no one else left standing. What a great day that will be! In the meantime, my friends, work... work... and more work.

My many congratulations to all the BYU players, coaches, and fans for exceeding expectations and, through it all, making it to the 2008 Championship Game, a feat which I should not downplay in the least! I am proud to support the BYU Rugby Team and have great expectations for the coming season, as always! Onward, to victory!

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