RUGBY WORLD CUP 2011

Hey BYU Rugby fans, the 2011 Rugby World Cup is nearly done and decided with no less than a total of 48 test matches between September 9th and October 23rd to determine the next World Champion!!! It's been a veritable smorgasbord of the highest-level rugby you and I have ever seen, and it's now into the semifinals this weekend!!!

Of course, you may not have been willing or able to go to New Zealand to see any of the matches in person (though I personally recommend the trip!) ... And you probably haven't been keen to stay up til the wee hours of the morning just to watch a match live as it unfolds halfway around the world ...

Whatever the case may be, not to worry mates! We've got you covered!!! Here in the US you might think you have to go to UniversalSports.com and pay some premium amount just to watch your favorite match-up, but in fact, you can simply go to the Rugby World Cup 2011 Video page and find match highlights and FULL match replays (only 72 hours delayed for the US) for the price of FREE. Thank you, IRB!

To avoid making this sound too much like an advertisement, here's the real message: This is a great opportunity for Rugby Players, Coaches, Fans, and Everyone everywhere (especially throughout the US) to elevate our Rugby Education to the next level. 

As an avid fan and follower of rugby, I've often heard different critiques, concerns, and excuses with regard to the development of the sport here in the United States over the last decade. All it really amounts to is a lack of commitment and willingness to pay the ultimate price for success on the highest level. In other words, whining and complaining does not even weigh in the balance in comparison to the offering of real time, money, service and support requisite for advancement. And even more importantly, none of these efforts amount to anything unless an elevated level of rugby expertise and education are in place. 

Whoever you are, whatever your means or circumstances, here's the perfect opportunity to advance your rugby knowledge. Pick a match to watch, listen to the commentators' and the referees' observations, and of course, take a moment to analyze and make your own observations. If you're going to learn Rugby in any detail, why not learn it from the Pros who continue to redefine the sport with every passing day??? 

WATCH: Rugby World Cup 2011 Videos 

Enjoy!
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USA College Rugby National Championships: Live Video Coverage

Enjoy some live video coverage of the 2010 USA College Rugby National Championship Playoffs provided by USA Rugby!!!

Yesterday's action saw the BYU Men's Rugby team emerge victorious, 33-13, over Delaware. Read all about it: BYU Starts Playoffs with Blue Hen Victory

Be here at 4 PM (MST) to cheer on Our Cougars to victory over Arizona!!!

Live Video streaming by Ustream

If the player does not work, click the following link to go directly to the USA Rugby USTREAM channel: www.ustream.tv/USARugby
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BYU Rugby into the Big Four

After a tough weekend in Atlanta, the BYU Rugby team has qualified for a 5th straight appearance in the 'Big Four' of the USA Rugby National Guard College Playoffs. While Cal and BYU (in recent years) have become mainstays of the Big Four, this year's match-ups feature two teams that haven't been in the top four since 2003 (Army) and 1987 (San Diego State).

BYU will face off against San Diego State on Friday at 5 pm, and the winner thereof will play the following day at 7 pm against the winner of the Cal vs. Army match. For opinions on the long-awaited Big Four tests, as well as recaps of BYU's most recent, barn-burner match against Arkansas State, check the following links:

"The Time Has Come: Collegiate Big 4 Preview"
"Big Four Preview"
"Cougars Move On to Big Four, Beat Strong ASU team"
"San Diego State going to Big Four"
"Army clinches spot in Big Four"
"Cal going back to Big Four"

As there is no word yet on whether or not streaming video coverage of the Big Four matches will be made available online, the only other option (however unsatisfactory and frustrating) is to check the USA Rugby website for the latest updates on the Mobile Scoreboard (viewed by scrolling down to the bottom of the main page).

And as for my two cents on the 2009 Collegiate Rugby Big Four, I really can't say too much... Suffice it to say that many of the results of the matches in the rounds of 16 & 8 were complete shockers, and so this time, I will not be so quick to make any bold assumptions...

Okay, I'll still make some assumptions here, but nothing too over-the-top. But first, a quick reminder that BYU has met San Diego State before... last year's round of 8 resulted in BYU beating San Diego State, 37-14, in a somewhat lackluster performance for both sides. And so it is that BYU again faces San Diego State, similar to this year's Super 16 rematch with Dartmouth... only this time both teams meet in the Big Four!

Although BYU is a much improved team this year, the same holds true for San Diego State on all accounts. If anything, I think (if the first two rounds carry any implications) that we could be in for another highly competitive match with an unbelievably low score. Of course, I also recall last year's Big Four match-up against Colorado, in which BYU basically crippled what was supposed to be a fierce and capable competitor to the tune of a 42 to13 difference. So... when all is said and done, my optimistic spirit and unbridled, BYU Rugby fanhood win out as I'm betting that BYU will come out on top with a final score not much different than that of last year's round of 8.

And as for Cal, what's there to say? Honestly... what should I even bother saying about the dynasty, the regime that boasts ownership of 24 of the last 29 National Titles? ... I suppose all I can say is that I hope this year is different. I hope BYU has a 4th straight rematch against Cal. I hope Our boys fight a lot harder and smarter than they did last year (which shouldn't be hard to do). I hope the BYU Rugby team digs deep to expose a new level of grit and determination, to reveal a true team with hearts united in a common, unwavering ambition to succeed. And success is within reach... it's just a matter of expelling cheap justifications in the pursuit of something bigger than oneself.

Though I can't begin to guess how the final match will pan out, I can offer a few minimum expectations that I and many BYU Rugby fans hold deep inside... Simply put, we all have great expectations of the BYU Rugby team... whoever the opposition may be. And this year (to be blatantly honest) we expect the BYU Rugby team to make it back to the final game; anything less than that would be a great disappointment. Moreover, we expect a much more solid display of rugby, BYU rugby, to grace the stage of the National Title match. Last year's final was tough to swallow... and so this year, as the bar has been raised for all, we expect more of Our boys...

And so it is in that spirit that I say to them, "Work hard, stay focused, and don't compromise yourself nor the team! You're in the spotlight once again, and we are counting on you to dig deep and represent the great BYU Rugby legacy which so many have fought long to build. Make us proud, men... that BYU emerge victorious in the end!" BYU Rugby Forever!
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College Rugby Live Online... if it works...

I'm not sure if this USA Rugby Media Player will work or not, or whether they will even feature BYU's matches or not...

At best, the only other option is to check the USA Rugby website and see the "USA Rugby Live Scoreboard" (just scroll down on the main article page) which isn't really live at all but quite delayed in its updates. For example, right now it only shows that Arkansas State beat Navy, 50-7; no results yet provided for the Utah vs. LSU game (by now already finished) or for the BYU vs. Dartmouth game (that should now be well under way). Sad, sad...

At least my camera crew is there at the games, so they will let me know the scores at halftime and immediately after the game is over. I'll keep you posted... Go BYU!

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