Okay, I must apologize once again for the ultra short notice here, but I just barely heard about this less than a day ago and have been quite busy...
BYU and UVU will face off once again at 11:30 AM TODAY!!!
(That's actually in 20 minutes... Sorry, but I'm hoping at least some Twitter folk will hear about it and show up)
Round 2 of the slopfest will take place at UVU's field this time, at the north end of their campus. I'll keep you posted on how it goes, folks... sorry about the completely short notice.
Read more...
Showing posts with label UVU Rugby. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UVU Rugby. Show all posts
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
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!!!
Read more...
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!!!
Read more...
Monday, October 12, 2009
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!
Read more...
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!
Read more...
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
BYU Rugby photos: UVU, Boise State, Utah, and Utah State
It's been a busy week or two, and so the match photos have piled up! For all the alumni and fans in attendance at the Utah and Utah State games, take a look at the archives... you just might see yourself in some of the pictures! Check the following links, courtesy of Paul Meyers:
BYU vs. Utah State
BYU vs. Utah
BYU vs. Boise State
BYU vs. UVU
Read more...
BYU vs. Utah State
BYU vs. Utah
BYU vs. Boise State
BYU vs. UVU
Read more...
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A seconds' weekend: BYU dominates on all sides!
Folks, I'm giving this weekend to the BYU Rugby secondary for the shows that they put on against UVU, a 108-12... uhhh... what should I call it? ... merciless shellacking?, and against Boise State, an 86-5 drubbing the following day...
Now, while I do have to admit that there were some starters on the field at the beginning of both matches (e.g. Steve St. Pierre and Mikey Su'a), nevertheless they always get a bunch of credit from me anyway... But, as far as I could tell, the second halves of both matches were run completely by BYU's backup players. So let's talk about the seconds here instead!
First on my list: BYU's freshman recruits. Yes, most of us have already heard of Paul Lasike, Kyle Sumsion, and Jordan Lowry... This weekend, however, most all of the other freshmen got to show their stuff with strong performances by Daniel Selman, Dave Rowley, Jace Chambers, Austin Allred, Dexter Allred, Collin Bush, and Taylor Will (did I forget anyone?). Keep up the good work boys, and keep on learning those rugby essentials. We're glad to have so many of you doing so well!
Second: BYU's more experienced secondary. I was happy to see many familiar faces returning to the pitch this weekend, some returning from injury (e.g. Rob Burton and Sam Thorley) and others just gaining more experience (e.g. Tupu Folau, Moana Hafoka, Sean Howard, Ryan Murri, and Sam Wolthius). Nice job, fellas! Although the gameplay was definitely not the prettiest (especially that of the Boise State match), hopefully it was still a good opportunity to gain experience...
Third and finally: Those playing rugby for the first time. A pat on the back... Keep at it, and before you know it, rugby will become a part of you! BYU Rugby has a high standard, so you still have a lot to learn... But with sufficient desire and an attitude of optimism, you'll one day get to personally and directly experience a National Tournament as well!
Let's just keep rolling to finish out the season this weekend against Utah and Utah State! Work hard, and tear it up, boys!!!
Leave all the worry about getting the fans pumped up to me... BYU Rugby Forever, I am!!!
Read more...
Now, while I do have to admit that there were some starters on the field at the beginning of both matches (e.g. Steve St. Pierre and Mikey Su'a), nevertheless they always get a bunch of credit from me anyway... But, as far as I could tell, the second halves of both matches were run completely by BYU's backup players. So let's talk about the seconds here instead!
First on my list: BYU's freshman recruits. Yes, most of us have already heard of Paul Lasike, Kyle Sumsion, and Jordan Lowry... This weekend, however, most all of the other freshmen got to show their stuff with strong performances by Daniel Selman, Dave Rowley, Jace Chambers, Austin Allred, Dexter Allred, Collin Bush, and Taylor Will (did I forget anyone?). Keep up the good work boys, and keep on learning those rugby essentials. We're glad to have so many of you doing so well!
Second: BYU's more experienced secondary. I was happy to see many familiar faces returning to the pitch this weekend, some returning from injury (e.g. Rob Burton and Sam Thorley) and others just gaining more experience (e.g. Tupu Folau, Moana Hafoka, Sean Howard, Ryan Murri, and Sam Wolthius). Nice job, fellas! Although the gameplay was definitely not the prettiest (especially that of the Boise State match), hopefully it was still a good opportunity to gain experience...
Third and finally: Those playing rugby for the first time. A pat on the back... Keep at it, and before you know it, rugby will become a part of you! BYU Rugby has a high standard, so you still have a lot to learn... But with sufficient desire and an attitude of optimism, you'll one day get to personally and directly experience a National Tournament as well!
Let's just keep rolling to finish out the season this weekend against Utah and Utah State! Work hard, and tear it up, boys!!!
Leave all the worry about getting the fans pumped up to me... BYU Rugby Forever, I am!!!
Read more...
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