BYU Rugby vs. Utah: March Mayhem!

The time has come... the tale of two universities continues... the epic rivalry between rugby powerhouses BYU and Utah culminates yet again in the month of March with not one but two match meetings!!!


First, within only a matter of hours (1:00 PM, Saturday, March 6), the BYU Rugby team takes their home pitch against the University of Utah to decide the recipient of the coveted Wasatch Cup (live television coverage provided by BYU-TV). The winner earns a direct spot in the Round of 16 for the National Championship playoffs in April, not to mention the pride and respect of their respective schools. The loser... well, they just inherit an extra dose of bad luck (see "Utah Rugby 2009 season"). :P

Second, on March 24th, BYU again meets Utah in an exhibition match to be held in Rio Tinto Stadium (click the link to reserve advance tickets; BYU fans sit in the EAST grandstand with the Superfans, not in the 'club seats' with the red people). The event is actually a double-header with a teaser match between Utah Valley University and Utah State preceding the main event. All in all, it should be a great night for BYU Rugby, for all levels of rugby in Utah, and for the sport in general.

Now, before I get totally crazy and ooze with bias (a little too late, I know) for the Cougars of BYU, let me tell you why this year's Wasatch Cup match won't exactly be a cakewalk... (not that any game against Utah is ever easy, but this one's a heck of a lot more promising than last year's meetings!)

In the Red Corner, we have the Utes of Utah, rejuvenated and ready to come out swinging. After a tough season of unrealized expectations and rebuilding, our red brethren have found some fire in the likes of a few all-star freshmen, namely, Thretton Palamo at flyhalf, Don Pati at scrumhalf, and Naki Angilau at fullback. The former of these boasts an already-impressive résumé, having represented the USA in international level play, both for the US Eagles and US Sevens teams... If that doesn't make sense to you, it essentially means that he's got about as much rugby talent as anyone his age in the nation... and then some. Add to this threat the proven talent of Don Pati and Naki Angilau, two standout players selected to the US Under-20 national team in the last year.

No great mystery here, folks, but I'd be willing to bet that Coach Burdette's putting a lot of faith in these guys to really scramble the BYU defense. So what do you know: Utah will actually have a backline this year! ... I just hope no one, and especially not all, of them are a 'Paul Lasike' type or we may be in for a long night!

As far as the Utah forwards are concerned, I don't really know what to expect. Last year's pack was a sort of hodgepodge group that seemed to bring a general inconsistency in execution. Other than a random mention of their flankers, Mike Kimball and Mike Jeszczak, and lock Scott Metcalf, I'll err on the side of caution and say that they're probably better than last year. After all, they did only barely lose to the University of Victoria, a well-established Canadian team, to the tune of 38-22. So, we'll see what their scrum has to offer... if they 'possess the constitution' to bring it!

In the Blue Corner, we have the Cougars of BYU, our beloved defending National Champions! Coming off of their most successful season ever, BYU counts with a great amount of depth, especially in the forwards... and good thing too, as recent injuries to starting prop, Mike Price, and starting lock, Isikeli Volavola, have turned these two into water boys for now. Anchoring the pack (literally!) nonetheless are big props All-American Mikey Su'a and New Zealand native Ray Forrester, as well as up-and-coming forward Joey Mount at hooker. Coupled with the solid back row of TJ Allred and Mark Bonham at lock, Haini Leaaetoa and Moana Hafoka at flanker, and Ryan Roundy at eight-man, the BYU scrum looks quite potent and prepped for the opposition. According to the most recent interviews, it sounds like our BYU side will be banking on the forwards to produce in dominant fashion (especially, I personally hope and pray, at the set piece!).

As for the backs, oohhhh, those BYU backs, we've got some fun stuff in the pipeline! Yes, it's a bit of a rebuilding season, and yes, a number of key starters have gone the way of graduation and ineligibility... But, remember, we're talking about Our Boys here! 'In the wings', we have Ryan Blaser, younger brother of epic speedster All-American John Blaser, as well as Konner Wiscombe, Sam Wolthius, and impressive freshman Lelann Latu. At center, we have returning starters Viliami Vimahi (Pila the 'Punisher'; see "Destruction of Cal 2009"), Tupu Folau (don't know if he's recouped yet) and Sean Howard, as well as supporter Adam Kuchin. Maybe not the most formidable cast in some critics' opinion but definitely coming together nicely... enough so to keep the Denver Barbarians on their toes last weekend!

And perhaps most lethal for the Cougars is the ever-impressive 'Dynamic Duo' of halfbacks Shaun Davies and Team Captain Dylan Lubbe. Both players contributed greatly to the Cougars' National Title last season and continue in similar fashion. However, seeing as how Utah appears to have an equally amazing 9-10 connection, I wouldn't be surprised if the scrum-to-backline linkage point may well be where all the craziness happens! We know that these four players are deadly in terms of offense, but just how strong will they be on defense? We might just be hearing the clash all the way up in the bleachers! (I honestly hope no ambulances will be necessary) Ahhhh, heaven help us, the suspense is unbearable!!!

As for the later March matchup, folks, I'll have to wait before I go too far out on a limb and say anything overly rash... After all, I've nearly met my quota for the month as is! That and I'm almost completely consumed by the prospects of tomorrow!

Sorry folks, but I'll just have to leave all of us hanging... this should be an amazing and intense match to be sure! Good luck to Our Boys as they take on those pesky Utes! And good luck (with feeble, outstretched hand) to Utah as they come down to Provo to put up with Our Boys, Our Fans, and... one crazy Superfan, of course!!! BYU Rugby Forever!!!
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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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Photos, photos, photos: Wasatch Cup 2009!

Here are the latest photos of the BYU rugby team in their dominating Wasatch Cup victory over the Utah Utes! Also, click the other two links to see photos of the team in action against the Denver Barbarians (all photos courtesy of Paul Meyers). Enjoy!

Wasatch Cup 2009: BYU vs. Utah

BYU 1st XV vs Denver Barbarians

BYU 2nd XV vs Denver Barbarians


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Wasatch Cup 2009: Thoughts

Well, folks... I don't even know where to begin. Seriously, I don't... I was actually about to post some pregame thoughts and predictions early Saturday morning, but I'm glad I didn't! I had thought that a match-up between the #2 and #4 teams in the nation would have been crazy enough to call, but what to think, say, or do when both of these are the BYU and Utah rugby teams???

And what a sweet game it was against Utah! Our boys mopped them up like never before... 59-15! Congratulations to all the players, coaches, and staff on this fantastic win over Utah! (What happened to Utah anyway?)


In previous Wasatch Cup meetings, tensions have run pretty high for the duration of the entire game; it's just a given fact, regardless of either team's record, talent, standing, and etc. And the scoreboard usually reflects such (e.g. the 2007 Wasatch Cup match at Utah, a 21-20 win for BYU).

This time around, however, the game was rather tense for only the first twenty minutes or so. A lot of flip-flopping from missed tackles, bad passes/knock-ons, and overcommitments allowed for some scoring on both sides of the ball. But after that point, BYU took Utah to the clinic... really... five tries to none in the second half is about as demoralizing as it gets!

I don't mean to say that BYU looked perfect throughout the rest of the game, but they decisively stuck it to the Utah defense with coordinated passing plays and a touch of the usual, make-you-miss juking. BYU's backline stole the spotlight with great plays by Dylan Lubbe, Paul Lasike, Vito Qaqa, and Manti Su'a. Mention must also be made of freshman Jordan Lowry who, coming into the game late in the second half, found paydirt in the endzone off a fast break play. Way to be in the right place, at the right time!

As for the forwards, I was rather surprised to not see much intensity or outstanding play. Now, some would argue that the forwards aren't supposed to be the stars of the show anyway, but I always have high expectations of the BYU pack. They have always delivered a solid performance by dominating the tackling and rucking, controlling scrums and line-outs, and often creating scoring opportunities among themselves. And from my perspective, one of the greatest displays of BYU might and intimidation has always been the rolling maul, the 'bread and butter' of the BYU forwards in past years...

In this test, however, the BYU forwards seemed to be playing a bit passively, never establishing dominance on any facet of play. Rucks were rather haphazard; scrums were driven back every time; line-outs looked uncoordinated; and mauls were nowhere to be seen. (How did Utah not capitalize on these shortcomings?)

Now, to avoid the appearance of complete ignorance, I must say that many of these facts could very well have been justified. At the very least, tackling was solid for the most part. And I recall hearing that a new rule in college rugby concerning rolling mauls effectually limits their effectiveness (hence BYU not depending on them anymore). Perhaps the fact that no one forward really stood out actually indicates a solid group effort that allowed numerous opportunities for the backs to shine and take the glory. All in all, not bad fellas... but let's tighten it up before tournament time, eh?

Last but not least, I must make my first ever, match MVP designation: Shaun Davies. The 'squirrely' scrumhalf kept everyone on their toes (especially Utah!) by effectively managing the ball between forwards and backs, creating holes in the defense, and making wise decisions when personally handling the ball... all while going 9 for 9 on kicks and conversions! (Pssst, don't tell the football team!) Talk about the right day to be spot on! Congratulations to Shaun Davies, my nomination for the 2009 Wasatch Cup MVP.

With all this success, the temptation to become complacent creeps in... but I say, modifying the famous words of Winston Churchill, "Never, never, never let up!" BYU Rugby Forever!
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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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BYU Rugby... a couple of hours to #2!

In literally a couple of hours, BYU will face off against Penn State University in the annual Red Rock Tournament. While I must admit I was feeling a little edgy earlier in the week when I found out that Penn State is ranked #2 in the nation, nevertheless I learned that our rival Utes of the University of Utah beat them yesterday 34 to 17. Although Penn State led at halftime by two tries to one, Utah kept fighting and broke them down in the end.

Anyone familiar with the caliber of the BYU and Utah rugby teams can tell you that they both present solid opposition every time they play; I don't think any fan supportive of either team would dispute the fact. This being the case, I think it fair to say that BYU will do just as well as, if not better than, Utah in today's match. Yes, it will be a tough match... but I can't stop stressing the greater depth of new skill on the BYU squad than in previous years (e.g. the reserve team's wins yesterday over Boise State University 60-7 and Snow College 22-0 in back-to-back tests). They will fight it out and win going away...

And then, my friends, it's up to #2 yet again! (Who else would stand in the way?!?!)

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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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BYU Rugby... it's a family affair

As a junior in high school, I decided to drop my mediocre pursuits in track to participate in our newly-formed rugby club. It was just a rag-tag group of guys trying something new; we learned quickly, and though most of us hadn't participated much on other school teams, we found a way to go to the final state game two years in a row. Sometimes, just sometimes, you stumble upon something amazing, and it changes your life...

I had grown up playing backyard football and tackling without pads as often as I could. When I was only eight years old, my oldest brother used a thick roll of foam as a tackling dummy and had me practice my tackling form repeatedly in preparation for a big neighborhood football game. I don't remember much, except the fact that I tackled Travis Fehe about ten times or so. He was a running back on the middle school football team, and tackling him felt like a big achievement at the time.

I've never been massive (that's my brothers' department); in fact, I was quite small up until my junior year of high school. And perhaps, for that same reason (the 'smaller snake' effect), tackling has always been my favorite part of football, and since, rugby. I think it's the rush that comes from knowing you have stifled your opponent's progress to enable your own; you have sacrificed your body more than they have, but it's worth it. Being smaller, I had to give my all always, and inevitably, rugby became a part of me.

I recall a seconds' game against the University of Utah. I was a freshman on the BYU seconds' team, and we were doing a rotation of ten minutes or so for each player to get some time (if you can't tell, I wasn't exactly a star selection). Utah had a Polynesian player that was about 6'-7" tall and pushing 300 pounds. While obviously not very skilled either, nevertheless, he was massive! On one touch of the ball, I was in position to tackle him, and all I managed to do was wrap up one of his huge legs. I held on and wrenched as hard as I could, and even though the ball had already left, I ended up putting him down nonetheless. I count that as a small victory.

My rugby 'career' ended that same semester with a recurring injury to my ankle. My hopes were down, and I didn't think I would be able to play well enough to compete anyway. Upon returning from an LDS mission and boosting my GPA, I thought I might be able to take a crack at it again, but a series of random and unfortunate injuries have since rendered me a liability rather than an asset.

Despite being confined to the bleachers, I have still found great fulfillment in BYU Rugby... especially due to the fact that all my brothers have played on the team. Craig was the first to play in 2000-2001, only a year after we first played in high school. Chris (Alma) played after his mission with Craig and then with me in 2001-2002. After Craig's mission, both he and Chris played together until I came home. Craig played until 2007, and the next year, my youngest brother, Brett, joined the team to continue the tradition for the 2007-2008 season. Now he is serving an LDS mission as well, and for the first time in nearly eight years, not one of us is on the BYU Rugby Team...

And so, I think it appropriate and ideal that I start this blog to continue in the support of the team I love. BYU Rugby is in my blood; it's become a family affair... and I will always be a die-hard fan, cherishing the successes of the moment and pushing for the prospects of the future.

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