BYU vs. Cal Rugby: Learn from the Past ...

Watch on YouTube HD: BYU vs Cal Rugby 2009 National Championship Highlight

While much can be said of the BYU Men's Rugby team during this 2011 season—much good, and most recently, some not the greatest—nevertheless the week leading up to yet another Cal-BYU rematch for the National Title tends to leave one without sage words readily at hand ...

Permit me to borrow a few in the interest of time:

"Learn from the past, prepare for the future, live in the present."

— Thomas S. Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Let these words sink in for a moment, then remember the glory of an unforgettable day gone by ... the kind of day we hope to relive in the very near future!

Cougars on three: one ... two ... three ... COU-GARS!!!

(Video courtesy of BYU Rugby Forever)
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LDS Church News remembers BYU Rugby: The 2009 Miracle Moment

Watch on YouTube

Recently, the LDS Church News posted this video on their website highlighting the final minutes of BYU Rugby's first-ever National Championship victory on 2 May, 2009. For all of us BYU Rugby fans and alumni, it was truly a miraculous and unforgettable night ...

So take a second and relive the moment ... see and feel the energy, the history made that day! And while you're at it, my friends, mark your calendars for the 2011 College Premier League Final to be held in the state-of-Utah's-own Rio Tinto Stadium on May the 21st!!! Time to visit Our House, Cal!!!
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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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How about a Haka ... BYU Rugby style?

Being a BYU Rugby Superfan, you know one can't resist checking here and there on the information super-highway for the latest bit of BYU Rugby media. So here it is with another take of the BYU Rugby 2010 Haka:


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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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Wasatch Cup 2010: Media & Thoughts

Scrummin’ Utes drop close contest to BYU (DailyUtahChronicle.com)

Wasatch Cup 2010: BYU Kicks Its Way to Win (BYURugby.com)

Davies Boots BYU Past Utah (RugbyMag.com)

Homecoming Recap (BYURugby.com)

College: Western Scores (AmericanRugbyNews.com)

CougarCast: Dylan Lubbe (BYURugby.com)

CougarCast: Justen Nadauld (BYURugby.com)

Now, just a few thoughts looking back at last weekend.

What a game, folks! The more I reflect on it in terms of the bigger picture, I think it was so much more amazing than I originally realized. Think of it: top-ranked BYU and Utah play each other before a packed house, on a pristine field, on a national television network... Not more than a few years ago, any coach or player wouldn't have believed it possible to have such an opportunity for a regular season game! And people have taken notice... even Coach Jack Clark of Cal Berkeley (in his final comments on ARN's "CollegeTalk", Episode 21) mentioned how impressive everything was about the game and its venue as he watched on BYU-TV (maybe even cheered for BYU a little too... maybe??). :D

And think of this fact: the final score of 15-10 is one of the lowest scores I've ever seen between BYU and Utah... True, it was a sloppy game for both teams, but it was obviously a very competitive and balanced match-up. The score can't hide that fact. Let's just say that Utah is nearly back in elite form, and BYU needs to step it up lest they be overtaken. With all of these thoughts, I must make another pitch for the upcoming "Utah Rugby College Showdown" in which BYU again faces Utah, March 24th, in Rio Tinto Stadium! Talk about potential for an unbelievable match!! And what a game it will be in one of the largest sporting venues in Utah before hosts of rugby fans!!!

Before that day comes, however, both teams have a load of work to do. Both sides' execution, or lack thereof, was characterized by errors leading to penalties and turnovers: Utah's issues with poor ball handling and not releasing the ball in the ruck; BYU's issues with offsides at the breakdown and shoddy, embarrassing line-outs. I would spend a whole page just venting on these points of failure, but suffice it to say that they are unacceptable if BYU wishes to be competitive in the National Tournament, let alone dominant. I mean, to not score a single try in a game is unheard of for BYU... for a reason. These aren't the kind of struggles that BYU coaches want to see at this point in the season, especially with a subsequent match against Utah on the docket as well as a meeting with San Diego State and tough playoff tests immediately thereafter. Sorry fellas, but you can't afford to make those mistakes... you can only afford improvement.

On a brighter note, the BYU defensive effort was relatively encouraging. The return of inside center Tupu Folau added some juice to the mix by smothering the threat of Thretton Palamo. Additionally, the fire possessed and second efforts displayed by the deep three of Andrew Harrison, Ryan Blaser, and Lelann Latu were impressive; it's always fun to see freshman players (the latter two) step up to the plate and meet the opposition. And don't forget the BYU scrum, holding up well despite the loss of big prop Mike Price and lock Isikeli Volavola to injury. Good work fellas; you really dodged a bullet, but let's use it to wax smarter and stronger! We want to keep seeing that new BYU Rugby Haka as often as possible!!!

Finally, I want to express my gratitude for the boot of Shaun Davies... worth all the praise we BYU Rugby fans can offer! (Enjoy the Paul Meyers photo, his best in my opinion, from last year's semifinal match against San Diego State) Thanks to Our Boys for the Wasatch Cup win, and we look forward to some more great games in the coming weeks! Go Cougars!!!


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New BYU Rugby Website up and running!

The new and improved BYU Rugby website is finally here, folks!!! Take a moment, and browse on over to byurugby.com to see all the new features of the site, including the new "Cougar Corner" team blog and "CougarCast" podcasts from Jarom Jordan!


Additionally, a new video section features the latest footage of the Cougars' match against UCSB Academy, and fans and visitors alike can leave comments on most news releases as well.

There it is, my friends... the future continually looks brighter for the BYU Rugby team! BYU Rugby Forever!

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BYU Rugby Fanhood Test #2: Super Gift Give-away

Happy Holidays to all my beloved BYU Rugby Fans!

Are you suffering from BYU Rugby withdrawal this offseason? Need that perfect gift for the BYU Rugby fan in your family?? Looking for an extra dose of excitement to tide you over until the 2010 college rugby season starts???

If you can answer "yes" to any of these questions, then it's time to take the BYU Rugby Fanhood Test once again!!!

This second time around, BYU Rugby Forever is looking for those true BYU Rugby fans, new and old, that have a quality story or experience to share as proof of their undying fanhood... and in return, BYU Rugby Forever is offering FREE highlight videos just in time for Gift-giving Season!

The first place winner will receive an HD copy of the recently-released BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video. Second place will receive not one but two DVD copies of the same highlight video. And last but not least, third place will receive one DVD copy of the highlight video.


Just take a moment and answer the following question to let your true blue, BYU Rugby fanhood shine through:

What is your favorite BYU Rugby moment, experience, or memory of all time and why?

Please limit your response to 300 words or less. Narratives may be submitted by email to byurugbyforever@gmail.com or by clicking the "Contact Me" button on the sidebar. Submissions will be accepted for the next three weeks until the 15th of December. Entrants must include their name and mailing address, and grant permission for their narrative to be featured on the BYU Rugby Forever blog.

All BYU Rugby Fans, Friends, and Alumni everywhere and of any age are encouraged to participate!

Good luck, my friends! BYU Rugby Forever anxiously awaits hearing from you...

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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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BYU Bookstore Offers BYU Rugby Highlight DVD

PROVO, Utah– The BYU Bookstore has acquired the right to sell the recently-released BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video.

"I think the quality of the video really speaks for itself," said Scot Clark, executive producer and author of the BYU Rugby Forever blog. "Only three days after dropping off a preview copy to the bookstore's media-purchasing representative, I received a purchase order in my email inbox."

The video contains approximately 70 minutes of total footage, originally captured in high-definition. Featured are nearly 30 minutes of highlight segments from the BYU Rugby team's home games as well as from their national tournament matches.

Bonus footage includes an "uncut" version of the 2009 National Title match as well as a preview trailer.

DVD copies are immediately available through the BYU Bookstore's campus location in Provo, Utah, and online via the BYU Bookstore website (http://www.byubookstore.com/) for a retail price of $19.99. Payment methods, shipping costs, and more BYU Bookstore information can be found by CLICKING HERE.

BYU Rugby Forever is a pioneering presence in the internet realm of American collegiate rugby. BYU Rugby Forever's principal commitment is to increase exposure and recognition of the BYU Men's Rugby team, now and in the future. For more details, visit http://www.byurugbyforever.blogspot.com/.

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BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video Completed

PROVO, Utah– The nation's first-ever, high-definition collegiate rugby highlight video, featuring footage of the 2009 National Champion BYU Cougars' undefeated season, has passed through the final stages of completion.

"The sport of rugby is still relatively unknown in the US," said Scot Clark, author of the BYU Rugby Forever blog and primary project sponsor. "We wanted to create an easily accessible and highly visual means for people to experience just how amazing [rugby] is, especially as played here at BYU."

The video contains nearly 30 minutes of highlights from the Cougars' home games as well as from their national tournament matches in Atlanta, Georgia, and Palo Alto, California, respectively. Bonus footage includes an "uncut" version of the 2009 National Title match in which BYU staged a stunning upset over former national champion, Cal Berkeley.

Filming, editing, and graphics for the video project were realized as a joint effort between videographers, Ben Thompson and Micah Brown. "I was new to filming rugby, so I didn't really know what to expect at the start of the season," said Thompson. "But Micah and I got to know and love the sport pretty quick, and so the video came together nicely as a result." Over the course of 8 home games and 4 tournament games, Thompson and Brown logged nearly 24 hours of raw footage to create the final product.

DVD and Blu-ray duplication is set to take place in Salt Lake City within the coming week.

To obtain a copy of the BYU Rugby 2009 Highlight Video, payment may be submitted online at http://byurugbyforever.blogspot.com/. Alternate methods of payment can be arranged by emailing byurugbyforever@gmail.com. DVD copies are available for the price of $20, and Blu-ray (high-definition) copies are available upon request for $50, shipping costs included. Supplies are limited.

BYU Rugby Forever is a pioneering presence in the internet realm of American collegiate rugby. BYU Rugby Forever's principal commitment is to increase exposure and recognition of the BYU Men's Rugby team, now and in the future. For more details, visit http://byurugbyforever.blogspot.com/.

CONTACT:

Scot Clark
BYU Rugby Forever
801-369-5188
byurugbyforever@gmail.com

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