CPD National Final Replay: Cal edges BYU

2011 CPD Final: Cal vs BYU from BYU Rugby on Vimeo.

Well, my beloved BYU Rugby besties, the season may not have ended on a 100-percent-perfect note, but Our Boys sure gave it a great run! What a treat to experience the first-ever National Title match at home in Utah in front of more than 11,000 fans!!!

Congratulations to Cal for surviving the BYU onslaught to win their 26th title in 31 years, and congratulations to Our Boys for bringing it the entire 80 minutes! Here's looking forward to success in 2012 ... the End of the World!!!

Enjoy the video replay!

(Click here to watch the Semifinal: BYU slides past ASU)
Read more...

CougarBlue: BYU Rugby vs. Arizona State

I snagged this video clip from CougarBlue.com, sponsored by The Daily Herald ... BYU disposes of the ASU Sun Devils, 80-0! (See the full video clip of the intense, Cougar Haka HERE!)

Yes folks, the time has come to get pumped for the Playoffs, starting with Navy this Saturday, 1 PM (MST) at South Field! 

Fans far and abroad can watch online by clicking HERE!

Enjoy!!!
Read more...

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!!!
Read more...

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
Read more...

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!
Read more...

BYU Rugby 2010: Heads Held High

(Paul Meyers Photo)

The dust has quickly settled on yet another College Rugby National Tournament ... but why? Our defending 2009 National Champs BYU Cougars lost in a hard-fought match to the Cal Berkeley Machine, en route to a 25th National Title for the latter in only 31 years of tournament play.

You would think, my friends, that there would be another deluge of screaming, crying, and frustration from BYU fans (or at least from me!) over another tough loss to Cal in the final (our fourth in the last five years) ... And you would think that there would be an overabundance of cheering, lauding, and general embellishment coming from the Cal side in praise of their marvelous, undefeated season topped by an unheard of, 25th title ...

So you would think, folks ... but the reality is that no such response has emerged. Why?? Because, relatively speaking, nobody cares when Cal wins!!!

Of course, Cal fans and players were pleased with their win. But after a spot of post-game revelry, they rather quickly disappeared. After all, they had won again and so had little to talk about.

Ironically, BYU fans were extremely happy and proud of the BYU Rugby team's final performance in the face of defeat. BYU had fought hard and even performed above and beyond the mark of their entire season, so the loss didn't really feel that bad.

It seemed a matter of fears gone unrealized. After a season of unprecedented dominance, Cal was afraid to lose again in the final. And BYU, after a season of rebuilding and struggle, was afraid to win ... yes, you heard right: "win".

Only 24 hours earlier, Cal had carved up a physical opponent in Arkansas State, 83-37. Yet BYU, in similar fashion, discarded their Big Four opponent in Army by the score of 63-28. That's a nearly-identical points ratio of about 2.25:1 for both teams ... and while that might not sound like a big deal, perhaps some other numbers will better illustrate the point in question ...

In 2010 regular season play, the mighty Cal Bears outscored their opponents by an average of 15.34 points to 1 over the course of 22 games (1396-91 total points). The BYU Cougars' regular season consisted of 13 matches resulting in a ratio of only 3.58 points for every 1 point for their opponents (490-137 total points) ... not exactly the typical picture of BYU domination! (compare to last year's points ratio of 7.13:1, twice that of this year's team) But not exactly the usual level of Cal domination either ...

The annual "World Cup" of college rugby, a two-match tournament between Cal Berkeley and British Columbia, often presents Cal with its only real competition during the season. Historically, the tournament has often ended with both teams garnering a home win, with Cal taking the trophy on the cumulative points differential. The 2010 match-up, however, resulted in uncharacteristically comfortable wins for Cal at home (39-7) and away (41-10).

Additionally, Cal hadn't been held to less than 25 points in their entire season or even in the trip to the final against BYU. Moreover, Cal's dominance had seen 10 regular season shutouts and no opposing teams escaping the teens in all their scoring efforts. Cal hadn't lost many players from their 2009 lineup ... and the overwhelming W's showed the difference.

Either way the story is told, it's a given that Cal and rugby are a recipe for dominance ... but the 2010 season was that and more.

Meanwhile, on the other side of the mountains and desert, Our BYU Cougars faced the difficult task of rebuilding while defending their first National Title. The loss of seniors to graduation and freshmen to LDS missions left the team with some untested depth, now in line to start. And though such change in collegiate sport is typical, nevertheless the effects thereof were magnified by injuries to key starters before, during, and late in the season. The starting lineup never quite got set.

BYU was a different team than that of their undefeated 2009 squad, still struggling to find its identity ... and the results reflected the fact. After a controversial and extremely close loss to the Denver Barbarians, BYU squeaked by Utah for a lucky, 15-10 Wasatch Cup win and immediate #1 seed in the Round of 16. But only a few weeks later, BYU fell to Utah by two points in their first-ever Rio Tinto exhibition match. The score shouldn't have even been close ...

Nerves and tempers tested, BYU Rugby fans cringed at the prospect of not even returning to the national title game ... After all, Utah would most likely end up facing the Cougars in the Big Four. Only the last season game, a bout against then #3-ranked (on ARN) San Diego State, would provide any indication of BYU's playoff potential ...

Though the match proved to be no cakewalk, BYU walked away with a convincing 36-22 win. (Insert major sigh of relief here) Despicable line-outs and lackluster support play seemingly now in the past, Our Boys looked more primed for the national tournament than anyone had expected. Our Cougars then waltzed through the first two rounds of sixteen and eight with minimal resistance, beating Delaware (whom they had defeated early in the season) 33-13 and Arizona (who, honestly, worried BYU even less) 46-10. The real challenge facing Our Boys, upon reaching the Big Four, turned mysterious as Army, not Utah, stepped into the ring.

Coming off a double-overtime win over the Utes, the Black Knights of Army looked to be BYU's match ... for, if they were able to beat Utah, then it would surely follow that they could stand 'toe to toe' with the Cougars ... correct? Uhhh ... wrong!!! Critics' and observers' predictions on both ends fell completely short of foreseeing the degree of dominance with which BYU would eventually crush the cadets of West Point by 35 points. The difference then???

First of all, Army was not Utah. BYU's last meeting with Army happened five years previous in a quarterfinal match-up wherein the Cougars won a gritty struggle, 36-13 ... But that was five years ago. Translation: As far as the BYU Rugby team was concerned, Army was just another good team on the way to the title, just like Arkansas State or San Diego State last year ... no psychological baggage or strings attached, no rivalry, no extensive history to throw in BYU's face. Apologies to Army, but with all due respect, Utah is a whole different animal in BYU's eyes ... (how else would they ever beat us in anything! :D)

Last of all, Our Boys were just hitting their stride. With a solid lineup finally established, BYU still had room to grow as a team. Though they had passed through the semis relatively untested, they were then ready to come out 'guns blazing' ... and how much so, we BYU fans couldn't even imagine! When Our Cougars attacked through several phases to set up a center-Tupu-Folau try in the very first minute and a scrumhalf-Shaun-Davies try in the fifth minute, we knew we were in for a special treat!!

To Army's credit, they had a good ten- to fifteen-minute spurt in the first half where they pretty well controlled things and scored two tries. And in the second half, they did the same for a solid twenty minutes or so, putting up another two tries. And though they converted all four, yet their efforts still paled in comparison to the Cougars' nine converted tries (Thank you, Shaun Davies!).

And so the stage was set for another great final test between Cal and BYU: the former coming off a stellar season; the latter climaxing at just the right time! And while BYU was on the upswing, Cal had just experienced one of its tougher matches of the year in Arkansas State. Granted, Cal started a number of secondary players and still won by 46 points, but ASU put up a solid 37 points while star-kicker Keegan Engelbrecht wasn't perfect on the day, going 8 for 12 on conversions. For the first time all season long, BYU looked threatening and Cal looked relatively vulnerable ...

In not so many words, the final page turned in Cal's favor. Inadequate refereeing blurred the score into the realms of deception (there's a vast difference between making a decision and not even being there in time to see what happened). Honestly, the score could have been 19-12, 20-19, or even 25-22 in favor of either team, but the referee's score didn't accurately reflect the closeness of the match. Instead, both teams received the consequences of a guessing game, for better or for worse.

News outlets would give an impression of Cal dominating the entirety of the game in every facet, a typical display of Cal Rugby ... and such was simply not the case (for the disbeliever, hear it from Cal's head coach and players themselves). BYU never gave up; Cal never let up. BYU made mistakes; Cal made mistakes. Cal's first try of the night came off what looked to be a very forward pass; BYU's first try was discounted as "held up". Keegan Engelbrecht went 0/2 on conversions; Shaun Davies went 1/1. Engelbrecht went 2/2 on penalty kicks; Davies went 0/1. Cal scored a try at the beginning and at the end of the first half; BYU scored none. BYU scored a finally-allowed try toward the end of the second half; Cal scored none. The game wasn't exactly a tale of one team.

As BYU threatened to score again in the closing minutes, Engelbrecht attempted a drop-goal in the 77th minute. The ball just snuck over the cross bar, sealing the deal at 19-7 in favor of Cal. Even then BYU fought for a score in the remaining minutes, but a pair of BYU penalties and secure recycling by the Cal forwards ensured Cal possession until the clock ran out.

In some respects, it seemed a mirror opposite of the Cal-BYU final of last year. After the final whistle, Cal players stormed together in a flurry of emotion, some even collapsing to the ground in a mix of relief and disbelief. For several minutes afterward, Cal Head Coach Jack Clark seemed to be stuck in a stupor of shock at the realization that they had actually won the National Title back from BYU, going undefeated in the process.

For BYU fans, it was a bittersweet spectacle ... but only for a moment. BYU had lost again to Cal, true. But that was only on the surface, only on paper, only on the scoreboard. The reality of the game's intensity and the players' resolve on both sides said so much more ...

A BYU team that faced great adversity throughout the season ended on a very high note, and no BYU fan or player anywhere could deny the fact. For when was the last time Cal had been held to scoring less than twenty points in a game? When was the last time they had been kept try-less in the second half of any game? Had they ever experienced either of these deficiencies?? Ever at all??? Not even BYU's National Championship team of 2009 could lay claim to such achievements ...

And so Our Boys, Our 2010 BYU Men's Rugby team can stand erect, proud of their performance. We true BYU Rugby fans were there ... we saw and we know ... without shame, animosity, or regret. Instead, excitement, energy, and respect for both teams reigned in what proved an eventful test. We can all walk tall, all of us in the BYU Rugby community, with heads held high for this year, for the realization of expectations exceeded ... and especially for the prospects of tomorrow.

Congratulations to Our BYU Rugby Boys and the entire BYU Rugby Staff on another great and exciting season! (as long as #2 in the nation is it bad as it gets, we can all survive until next season, right?)

Keep on rolling, Cougars!! Next year, it's our turn!!!
Read more...

BYU Rugby Releases 2010 Schedule

(from BYU Rugby update)

Provo, UT— The BYU Rugby program announced it’s 2010 season today highlighted by two live nationally televised games by BYU-TV.

Coming off the program’s most successful season in its history the Cougars’ 2010 schedule is full of teams that will challenge the Cougars on a weekly basis.

BYU starts with an opening match against UC Santa Barbara in Las Vegas, NV on January 9th. The Gauchos are coming off a down season for them, with a 2-6 2009 conference record, but are looking to rebound in 2010 being led by All American Prop Ross Silverman.

The Cougars return to Las Vegas again on January 23rd for a match against the men’s club the Las Vegas Blackjacks. The Blackjacks finished the 2009 season as the Division I runners-up losing the final to the Gentlemen of Aspen 25-10.

With star center Seta Tuilevuka, brother of BYU Alum Alipate Tuilevuka, sparking the backline, the Blackjacks will prove a formidable challenge for the Cougars.

The annual Red Rocks Tournament in St. George, UT next pits BYU against the nationally ranked University of Delaware January 29th. The Blue Hens won the highly competitive Mid-Atlantic Collegiate Division with big wins against Penn State, Kutztown and Navy and were ranked #1 in the country by Rugby Magazine at the close of the Fall 2009 season.

BYU will host its first home match by bringing the Aggies of Utah State to Provo on February 6th. The Cougars hosted the Aggies last year in the first live nationally televised collegiate rugby match on BYU-TV coming out victorious.

The Cougars will visit Las Vegas for a third time as they participate in the Las Vegas Invitational, which is a showcase tournament pitting top collegiate teams against each other.

At the Las Vegas Invitational BYU will take on Texas A&M on February 12th. The Cougars played the Aggies of Texas A&M in 2009 and won 36-15. BYU will play a second day game against Western Washington University.

The Cougars take a much-deserved bye week on February 20th before they measure themselves against last year’s Rugby Super League semi-finalist the Denver Barbarians on February 27th in Grand Junction, CO.

The Cougars and Barbarians met last year with the former winning 32-20 in hotly contested match. The Barbarians followed up their performance with a strong RSL season only to lose their semifinal match in injury-time to eventual RSL champ San Francisco Golden Gate 16-12.

Following the Cougars’ showdown in Grand Junction the much anticipated 2010 Wasatch Cup match with the University of Utah kick-offs on South Field on March 6th at 1pm. The Cougars routed their rival 59-15 in Salt Lake City last year to claim the Wasatch Cup for the fourth straight year.

The 2010 Wasatch Cup match against Utah will also serve as BYU’s homecoming game for all Cougar alumni with activities and details to follow. BYU-TV will also broadcast this match live into its 48 million home national audience.

2008 semi-finalist the University of Colorado comes to South Field the next week on March 13th after rebuilding their team in 2009.

The Buffaloes finished their fall 2009 campaign with an 8-3 season and with All American Tommy Pasque at No. 8 they are looking spoil the Cougars’ perfect record at South Field. Kickoff against the Buffaloes is set for a 1pm kick off.

In back-to-back weeks the Cougars will have the Colorado match broadcast live via BYU-TV. Check your local cable and satellite provider for listing details.

The Cougars have left March 20th open for a fixture to be named later.

Another marquee match up on the schedule will see the Cougars square off in a “friendly” against their rival Utah on March 24th. The second match against the Utes will be held at the Real Salt Lake’s Rio Tinto Stadium and kick off is set for 7pm. Ticket details to follow.

A familiar foe in last year’s semifinal opposition San Diego State Aztecs will close out the regular season and home schedule for the Cougars on March 27th. The Cougars’ came from behind to beat the Aztecs 31-13 last year on their way to the program’s first national championship.

Kickoff for the match against the Aztecs is slated for 1pm and will serve as Senior Day for all graduating players.

Depending upon the outcome of the 2010 Wasatch Cup showdown with Utah earlier in March the Cougars will either get a bye past the Pacific Coast Regional Playoffs or be required to participate during the April 2nd-3rd playoff matches.

The top 16 teams of the regional playoffs nationwide will meet April 16-17th for the four pool opening rounds of the USA Rugby playoffs at either UC Santa Barbara or Life University.

Should BYU make it past the above rounds of playoffs the Cougars will look to defend their championship as one of the semifinalists on April 30th. The winners of the semifinals will then meet for the National Championship respectively to be held May 1st. All semifinal and championship matches are set for Stanford’s Steuber Rugby Stadium in Palo Alto, CA.

For more details go to www.byurugby.com

JAN 9 - 11:00 AM @ UC Santa Barbara (Las Vegas, NV, Sunset Park)
JAN 16 - BYE
JAN 23 - 1:00 PM @ Las Vegas Black Jacks
JAN 29 - TBD @ University of Delaware (Red Rocks Tournament)
FEB 6 - 1:00 PM @ UTAH STATE (RB Turf Field)
FEB 12 - TBD @ Texas A&M (Las Vegas Invitational)
FEB 13 - TBD @ Western Washington (Las Vegas Invitational)
FEB 20 - BYE
FEB 27 - 1:00 PM @ Denver Barbarians (Grand Junction, CO)
MARCH 6 - 1:00 PM @ UTAH (Wasatch Cup & Homecoming)(on BYU-TV)
MARCH 13 - 1:00 PM @ COLORADO (on BYU-TV)
MARCH 20 - 1:00PM @ TBA
MARCH 24 - 7:00 PM @ UTAH (Rio Tinto Stadium)
MARCH 27 - 1:00 PM @ SAN DIEGO STATE UNIVERSITY (Senior Day)
APRIL 2-3 - TBD @ PCRFU PLAYOFFS
APRIL 16-17 - TBD @ USA RUGBY PLAYOFFS: Rounds of 16 & 8
APRIL 30-MAY 1 - TBD @ USA RUGBY PLAYOFFS: Semifinals & Championship
*All home games at South Field unless otherwise noted.
Read more...

BYU Rugby 2010 Preliminary Schedule

Hear ye, hear ye, oh faithful BYU Rugby fans!!! The 2010 College Rugby season is here... and sooner than expected!

Though the BYU Rugby website is currently under construction, BYU Rugby Forever was lucky enough to obtain a preliminary copy of the team's 2010 schedule. (A big 'thank you' to center Sean Howard for the hook-up)

BYU RUGBY 2010 SCHEDULE

JAN 9 - UC Santa Barbara @ Las Vegas, Sunset Park, 12 PM

JAN 23 - Las Vegas Black Jacks (Division 1 Men’s Finalist)

JAN 29 - University of Delaware - Red Rock Tournament @ St. George, UT

JAN 30 - To be announced (TBA) - Red Rock Tournament @ St. George, UT

FEB 6 - Utah State

FEB 12 - Texas A&M @ Las Vegas

FEB 13 - Western Washington @ Las Vegas

FEB 27 - Denver Barbarians (Men’s Super League team)

MARCH 6 - UTAH

MARCH 13 - Colorado

MARCH 20 - TBA

MARCH 24 - UTAH @ Rio Tinto Stadium (Sandy, UT)

MARCH 27 - San Diego State

APRIL 2-3 - PCRFU PLAYOFFS

APRIL 16-17 - National Tournament - ROUNDS OF SIXTEEN & EIGHT

APRIL 30 - National Tournament - SEMIFINALS

MAY 1 - National Tournament - FINAL

Updates will be posted as received, but in the meantime... come out, oh ye loyal Cougars, and support BYU's #1 team: BYU Men's Rugby!!! See you in Vegas this weekend!!!
Read more...

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!

Read more...

ERugbyNews College Rugby Preseason Rankings: BYU at #2

About a week ago, the other heavyweight in US rugby news reporting, ERugbyNews, weighed in with their own "Top 25" college rugby picks.

In a slightly more generous move than that offered by American Rugby News, ERugbyNews slotted BYU at #2.







2009-2010 Preseason
ERugbyNews Men's DI College Top 25

1 California
2 BYU
3 San Diego State
4 Army
5 Penn State
6 St. Mary's
7 Arkansas State
8 LSU
9 Cal Poly
10 Utah
11 Navy
12 Central Washington
13 Wyoming
14 Colorado State
15 Kutztown
16 Air Force
17 Dartmouth
18 Minnesota
19 Notre Dame
20 Texas A&M
21 Arizona
22 Rutgers
23 UC Davis
24 Syracuse
25 UC Santa Barbara

While ERN's Alex Goff was quick to take credit for ranking BYU at #1 last season, nevertheless his rationale reveals a continuing hesitancy to get off the Cal cloud:

"Last season ERugbyNews had BYU at #1 for a large portion of the season, and saw the Cougars eke out a national championship. So they start at #1 this time around right? Well, no. Our take on the Top 25 for 2009-2010 is simply this: last year’s performance matters, but you also have to give us some feeling that you have the staying power to repeat this coming season.

"Cal has always had the consistency, and that’s the chief reason (along with an outstanding group of youngsters coming up) they are #1. BYU sits at #2 and San Diego State is #3. The Aztecs, we believe, will weather the loss of their head coach and continue to improve."

Well folks, at least Alex Goff had the guts to give BYU the #1 spot during last season... even if he retracted it during the National Championships. One point awarded to ERN.

That being said, however, I still question the reasoning behind placing BYU at #2 prior to the start of the season... Why wouldn't you put the reigning national champion at #1, even if only out of respect for their accomplishment? After all, speculation only goes so far before any games have been played... so why run and hide behind Cal's coattails at the start of every season regardless?

I know what the response is... believe me, I do. Cal's "consistency" earns them the favored spot every year, whether they have a plethora of returning starters or not. (And what of other teams' players?) Maybe it's just too easy to discount other teams in the face of Cal's obviously successful track record...

Now, enter BYU into the mix... have Our Boys at least been consistent in their tournament appearances? Have they been improving at all? Has the program progressively grown over the years? OF COURSE!!! And not only BYU, but look at up and coming programs just a step down, such as Arkansas State, San Diego State, Dartmouth, St. Mary's, and others. They're only growing hungrier each year...

Sure, BYU got to take their first bite (certainly not the last!) out of Cal this past time around, but in the near future, I'd rather wager that they won't be the lone dog in the pack for long... after all, it's college rugby we're talking about here!!!

Before I get too worked up, I want to switch tones by saying that, however questionable ERN's or ARN's rankings might seem, I'm secretly glad that BYU isn't at #1...

We really don't need it and actually don't want it. Cal can take the spotlight; they can have the "throne" all they want during the season. Why? Fuel for the fire, my friends, more fuel! We want to win! We want to be #1!!! And honestly, if BYU is already on top the whole season, then inevitably some of the feeling and perspective going into tournament time becomes more defensive in nature rather than offensive... bottom line, that's not BYU's style. We don't want an adrenaline drop anytime soon!

So, in the end, I suppose I should extend my thanks to Alex Goff and ERN. Second is the best anyway, right? Well, actually, that just might be true for Our Boys... Say what you will, but I'd much rather the BYU Rugby team be underestimated (e.g. BYU last season) than overestimated (e.g. Utah last season)!

Enough talk... it's time to get back to work. We need to show the nation that the BYU Rugby team is much more than consistent: they are actually expanding in depth, scope, and self expectation with every passing day. And that's an uphill road I prefer to stay on...

In the words of Winston Churchill, "Victory at all costs, victory in spite of all terror, victory however long and hard the road may be; for without victory there is no survival."

And so shall the BYU Rugby team survive and thrive on!
Read more...

ARN College Rugby Preseason Rankings: BYU at #3

With many college rugby teams in the nation already slated to play a few preseason matches in the coming months, American Rugby News has 'gotten the jump' on the rest of the internet community by releasing its "Preseason Top 25", along with commentary supporting their picks.

Despite taking the National Championship this past season, the BYU Rugby team comes in with a #3 ranking behind Cal Berkeley and Arkansas State.

1 California
2 Arkansas State
3 BYU
4 Kutztown
5 St Mary’s
6 Army
7 LSU
8 San Diego State
9 Penn State
10 Arizona
11 Dartmouth
12 Cal Poly
13 Central Washington
14 Utah
15 Texas A&M
16 Florida
17 Navy
18 UC Davis
19 Virginia Tech
20 Colorado State
21 Rutgers
22 Sacramento State
23 Bowling Green
24 Washington State
25 Oklahoma

According to ARN's Brian Lowe, BYU's #1 finish last season was basically a fluke, not to be repeated any time soon:

"Right off the bat we don’t think BYU will repeat as national champions.

"Granted their run to the title last season was nothing short of spectacular, it’s just that we reckon much like in college football nowadays, it’s darn near impossible for most teams to repeat as champions.

"Sure, Cal has done it on a regular basis during the last couple of decades but they are the exception rather than the rule.

"In football parlance, BYU is probably akin to USC in that the Trojans won a national championship a few years ago and while they’re always in the mix they haven’t been able to get back to the promised land since.

"Cal is kind of like Florida, or perhaps it should be the other way around. The Golden Bears and Gators have been the most consistent in their respective sports in recent years, although Florida of course has been by no means as dominant as UC Berkeley."

While I have great respect for Brian Lowe, I must say that this college football analogy is less than functional... and not just because I despise USC and Florida!

First off, a "national champion" in college football isn't a title earned by eliminating the competition in a playoff system; rather, it is more of a gift granted by the deficient and self-serving BCS format.

For this reason, Cal receives even more respect for their accomplishments; no matter how much any of us dislikes Cal or wishes to downplay their program's achievements, no one can deny that they are the premier collegiate rugby team in America.

Florida, on the other hand, is the fluke in this whole equation if you ask me. Any team with a money-grubbing, Benedict Arnold of a coach isn't bound for lasting greatness... absolutely no comparison with the legendary Jack Clark. And Florida's so-called "Superman" quarterback will be a blip on the radar when all is said and done...

If you don't believe me, go back and watch the 2007 Capital One Bowl! The same team that was shamed and shunned by all for losing to Appalachian State in their season opener completely snubbed the highly-touted, "underrated" Gators! Florida couldn't buy their freedom, let alone a break, and so, as was appropriate, Lloyd Carr rode out into the sunset of Michigan glory!!!

Okay, okay, I know I'm getting carried away here... football season is just a tick away, and I'm getting the itch! But it stands that you can't compare a team with barely 3 national titles (Florida) with one that can claim 24 true titles (Cal); and conversely, you can't compare BYU to USC, who, ironically, holds claim to 11 national titles... seems like ARN should've switched up the analogy!

Enough college football talk, and no hard feelings toward Brian... after all, he's not a homegrown American anyway! So, back to college rugby. Although the football comparison fails, the real reasoning behind the rankings is about as sound as anyone could propose at this point. All we can take into consideration are teams' rosters: how many returning starters will be in the mix and how much experience the promoted secondary/newcomers will bring to the table.

All things considered, a #3 ranking is not bad... not bad at all. And although that ranking might drop throughout the fall season (if BYU again opts to not play any fall matches), let's just hope Our Boys can step up to the task once again to build upon the most amazing and legitimate National Title of any BYU sport ever!

Nothing is impossible... but the ball's in our court now. Great expectations, my friends... all eyes are on the BYU Men's Rugby team and rightfully so! Let's take the pressure and use it to our advantage, to exceed ourselves, to upend the competition once more!

Say it with me now... "BYU Rugby FOREVER!"

Read more...

BYU Rugby Lock Kyle Sumsion: Interview of the Week

This week's featured guest for the continuing "Interview of the Week" series is BYU Lock Kyle Sumsion. A model of tenacity on the field, Kyle's persistent efforts aided in the BYU Rugby team's first National Title. His relentlessness and endurance as a lock enabled him to be in the right places at the right times to keep the drive alive: running the ball, gathering line-outs, rucking, tackling, and supporting his teammates... all as a freshman. As a result, Kyle was named an All-American Honorable Mention.

And along with Apenisa Malani, Kyle was also recently recognized for his consistent and supportive play, both defensively and offensively throughout the entire season, with a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award. (Photo courtesy of Paul Meyers)


BYU Rugby Forever:
As you are preparing to leave and serve a mission for the LDS church in the coming months, has it been a tough decision for you to make, to walk away in the midst of so much momentum and success on the collegiate level? Thoughts?

Kyle Sumsion:
I recently received my mission call to the Argentina Buenos Aires South mission. Even though the decision to walk away was hard, I know that I will be so much more blessed because of it. I was invited to play for the US Under-20 team and that would have been an awesome experience, but I am going to miss playing with the BYU team a lot more.

BYU Rugby Forever:
How did it feel to score a try as a freshman in a National Title match against Cal? What were your thoughts up to and in that crucial moment?

Kyle Sumsion:
As far as scoring the try, I just placed [the ball] down. Jordan Lowry and Mikey Su'a did all the grunt work to get it right down by the try zone. However, it was a very cool feeling scoring the try. All I was really thinking about at that moment was just making sure I scored.

BYU Rugby Forever:
You were recently selected as a Collegiate All-American Honorable Mention as well as a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award recipient. What do these accolades mean to you? What are your ambitions and goals for your rugby career in the future?

Kyle Sumsion:
To receive both of those awards was such an honor. But all of the credit goes to my coaches and teammates for helping me progress to where I am. I'm not really sure what the rugby future holds for me other than BYU has 4 more national titles to win while I am there.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What were the greatest moments/highlights of the 2008-09 season for you? Any humorous experiences?

Kyle Sumsion:
Winning the National Championship was definitely the highlight of the season. Also, Mike Price and I were competing to see who could score more varsity trys; I scored 1 and he scored 0, so that was a definite highlight. All the players and coaches were so close this year that we were always joking around at the appropriate times, and that made rugby so much fun.

BYU Rugby Forever:
For a freshman, you displayed an exceptionally high level of consistency and dependability on the field, starting nearly every match of the 2008-09 season. If you could offer any advice or counsel to incoming freshmen recruits, what would you say?

Kyle Sumsion:
Work hard and make your tackles.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Any words you'd like to offer to all BYU Rugby alumni and fans out there?

Kyle Sumsion:
Thank you so much for all of your support. You are the reason why we are where we are today. BYU has the best fans in the world.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Kyle, congratulations on the National Championship win and national honors! Good luck on your mission!
Read more...

BYU Rugby Flanker Apenisa Malani: Interview of the Week

The "Interview of the Week" series continues with this week's guest, BYU Flanker Apenisa Malani. Apenisa's solid efforts on the pitch throughout the course of the past season played a crucial role in the Cougars' first-ever National Title win and, not surprisingly, also led to national individual honors with a selection to the All-American squad.

Apenisa was also recently recognized for his consistent support, both offensively and defensively, with a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award. (Photo courtesy of Paul Meyers)


BYU Rugby Forever:
What does it mean to you to win a National Championship for BYU? Feelings? Thoughts? Stories?

Apenisa Malani:
Winning the National Championship meant a lot to me. It meant a reward for the sacrifice made by so many individuals: players, coaching staff, fans, alumni, sponsors, family, etc. These were people that I also played for, and I really hope that the win can be a way of thanking them for their support.

BYU Rugby Forever:
What were the greatest moments/highlights of the 2008-09 season for you?

Apenisa Malani:
Winning the National Championship.

BYU Rugby Forever:
You were recently selected as a Collegiate All-American as well as a BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award recipient. What do these accolades mean to you? Any aspirations to eventually play rugby at the next level?

Apenisa Malani:
I was very happy to be selected into the All-American squad this year. I really wanted to be a part of the [touring squad] but due to financial constraints and visa problems I was not able to. With regards to the [BYU Rugby Forever Anchor Award], I am grateful to be a recipient and also would like to share the award with the rest of the players who have worked really hard throughout the season without any recognition.

BYU Rugby Forever:
The BYU Rugby team often receives flack for having several Polynesian/Melanesian and older, married players on their roster. Being a Fijian Islander and newlywed (by the way, congratulations!), how do your culture, age, and recent marriage affect you as a collegiate rugby player? Advantages? Disadvantages?

Apenisa Malani:
Well, in some ways I see it as an advantage, but there is also the other side of the coin. Being married and from Fiji has its challenging moments too. There is more responsibility now and I really have to work more, go to school, and also try and be fit and healthy for rugby. Most of us from the islands do not have families here that could readily assist us when we need it.

BYU Rugby Forever:
In your opinion, how did the BYU Rugby team manage to pull off such a miraculous win over Cal this year? Any thoughts on the possibility of the BYU Rugby team taking the National Title again in coming years?

Apenisa Malani:
All of the preparation (training) and the experiences that we went through prior to the National Championship game prepared us well to meet the challenge. Our desire to win ultimately stood out in that game and was rewarded. Like Coach Smyth said, we would not want this win to be a one-shot thing. It is possible to win another title and, with everyone's help, we can do it again.

BYU Rugby Forever:
If you could say anything to BYU Rugby alumni and fans, what would you say?

Apenisa Malani:
I would like to sincerely thank all the supporters and fans who gave of their time, talent, and resources to make our season a successful and a memorable one. They have also assisted us in fulfilling our dream to win a National Championship Title. For some of us, your support has made it possible for us to be here attending Brigham Young University. Big THANK YOU to you all.

BYU Rugby Forever:
Thank you, Apenisa, and many congratulations on the National Championship win and national honors!
Read more...

Cal Rugby Head Coach Jack Clark: Interview of the Week

A couple weeks ago, I sent an email to Jack Clark, Head Coach of the Cal Rugby program, requesting a small interview. Although somewhat reluctant to do so, he told me to go ahead and send my questions... (CalBears.com photo)

I must admit I was pretty excited to hear from the great Jack Clark, especially as I was hoping for some good perspective on the Cal Rugby program and thoughts on their recent loss to BYU (that and the fact that I thought it just plain fun to see if he would even reply!). Instead of answering my questions, however, Coach Clark referred me to an interview he had just had with the media relations people at Cal that morning. And so my questions got deflected! Shucks, of all the luck...

Well, what can I say... apparently my media muscle is still about as minuscule as that of a fledgling school newspaper! The score is Jack Clark 1, BYU Rugby Forever 0... for now... but it's on, folks, it's really on! Look out!!!

Ok, all kidding aside, I did finally find the aforementioned interview featured on CalBears.com to pass on to all of you, dated May 22, 2009:

Q&A with California Rugby Head Coach Jack Clark

Although the majority of the questions asked do not touch on the BYU-Cal meetings of the past few years, nevertheless a few of the questions did include some commentary with respect to BYU. I'll here include such relevant, question/answer excerpts, but the analysis thereof I leave to you...

My respect and thanks to Coach Clark for his consideration nonetheless; someday I'll try again! But in the meantime, enjoy the following Q&A:

(for the entire interview, click the above link)

California saw a remarkable run of 115 wins in a row against U.S. collegiate competition end against BYU at the 2009 national championship. The streak began after your regular-season loss to Cal Poly on April 3, 2004. What are your thoughts on that achievement?

I haven't paid any more attention to this streak than the streak before it, or the one before that. We are neurotic about reaching our potential as a team and, to a degree, about playing our best rugby at season's end, but the results in the middle are only about building the team. Maybe one day, when I'm finished, I'll take a look back at what we've accomplished, but for now I'm only concerned about the next season.

The four consecutive meetings now with BYU in the national championship are thought by many to be a streak that will continue for many years to come. The Bears edged BYU by three in 2006 and won the next two convincingly before falling three points short this year. Do you also envision this rivalry continuing at the championship level in the foreseeable future?

I have no idea if it will continue. Our focus needs to be on getting to the title match, not who we're playing in the match. With this said, I personally love coaching against BYU and I always have, dating back to the early '80s, partially because there's always so much on the line. The matches have largely been winner-take-all affairs. Even when we played them in 2001, when they had that great Kimball Kjar team, some billed it as an unofficial championship because BYU was unavailable for the national championship. It was as good of a victory for a "friendly" as is possible.

But look, BYU is our adversary, and as a foe to our university the Cougars are perfect. I wouldn't change one aspect of this BYU team - not the composition of their team, how they play or are coached to play, not the fans, nothing. They are the perfect opponent. If you can't get ready to play BYU, go see a cardiologist. They are everything you want in an opponent.

Does not winning the national championship this year change anything for the Bears going forward? In other words, does it get harder to win, or will the team possibly be more motivated next year?

No, not in my view. There is very little connection between this year's results and next. Remember, I've been at this awhile. We've both lost twice in consecutive years and we've won the championship every year for a decade. In my experience there isn't much connection between seasons.

I think the talk you hear in this regard is wrong. Many believe we will somehow be hungrier to win next year while others believe that, having lost, losing will come easier. It's all uninformed conjecture.

The championship is always won in the here and now. It's always competed for in the here and now. What happened last year is just that. Like this year, whoever wins next year's title will win it because they're the best team.

No amount of winning or losing is too much, and it's never the other team's turn to win or lose. It's the code of the sportsman, it's what we live by. It's called competition. You walk between the lines and you win or lose based on your preparation and performance in relation to your opponents'. There are no other factors.
Read more...

BYU Rugby vs. Cal on ESPNU

Just a reminder to those of you who didn't get a chance to go out to Palo Alto to witness the BYU Rugby team's first National Title win against the dynasty, Cal...

The National Championship bout will be broadcast on ESPNU at 7 PM (MDT). For those that live close to BYU campus, the game will be shown at Legends Grille, located in the Student Athletic Building (across from the RB and Smith Fieldhouse). Feel free to come and enjoy the game alongside coaches, players, and fans.

Don't miss out on watching the BYU Rugby team's greatest match ever played! See you there!
Read more...

BYU vs. San Diego State photos

Just a few photos to help everyone remember just how intense BYU's Big Four match really was... San Diego State definitely put up a tough one, actually leading BYU 13-5 at the half. Our boys battled back in the second half, however, to shut out SDSU while putting up 26 points; BYU advanced to its 4th-consecutive National Title match with a final score of 31-13. Click the following link for more photos of the BYU Rugby team in Big Four action (courtesy of Paul Meyers):

Big Four: BYU vs. San Diego State


Read more...

BYU Rugby: National Champs in the News

More so than ever before, the BYU Rugby team has turned some heads locally and nationally with their National Championship win this past weekend!

Click the following links to see interviews and coverage highlighting the Cougars' epic win (both featuring video footage by our highlight video camera crew):

"BYU Rugby Wins National Championship in Huge Upset" on 2News-KUTV (click on the "Sports" tab)

"BYU Rugby wins national championship" on KSL 5 TV

Oh, and one last little morsel of goodness from California where, at least as they know it, it's the "end of the world":

"It's the End of The World-Until Next Year" from The Daily Californian

Read more...

BYU RUGBY: 2009 NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!

To everyone within the sound of my voice (which is actually nonexistent after yelling my head off this weekend!), it is with great pleasure that I announce that Our boys, Our team, Our BYU Men's Rugby team has defied all odds and won their first-ever, National Championship!!! Final score, BYU 25, Cal Berkeley 22!!! MIRACULOUS!!! (Photo by Laura Vincent)

Words cannot adequately express the emotion, the tension, and the anxiety felt during the game, nor the exhilaration, ecstasy, and sheer joy experienced by all BYU fans, present and abroad, when the referee blew the final whistle...

And to be perfectly honest, folks, the fact of the marvelous win still has not fully sunken into my spinning head! Yes, I was there... but I'm still in shock. Since last July, I have been writing on this blog with the faith that BYU would win a National Championship... but who knew for sure that it would come this year!!!

I know, I know... You're wondering how it is that the unofficial #1 BYU Rugby Fan had any doubts. Well, let me assure you that I share what I know. I say it how I see it... and if something doesn't look good, then who am I to falsely say otherwise? The fact is that Cal, the dynasty (or dinosaur, whichever you prefer), has ALWAYS been so dominant that no one, including myself, has ever been able to say with 100% confidence, "Today we will beat Cal!" So, no false hope here, just faith based on the facts as I see them...

Ironically though, I think many of us fans had more faith than in previous years... I mean, seeing BYU down at halftime isn't usually a time for high fives all around; rather, the fact that BYU had advanced in the face of similarly tough competition earlier in the tournament actually gave many of us BYU faithfuls a healthy dose of confidence... after all, it isn't every day you see Cal try-less at the end of the first half!!! To the unknowing spectator, a halftime deficit doesn't look too promising... but when that deficit is only 5 points against Cal (12-7 at the break)... well, let's just say that you have plenty of reasons to be fired up!!!

And also don't forget (the stats don't lie) that BYU has tended to be a "second-half team" this season, more often breaking their opponents' spirits in the final 20 to 30 minutes, notching points, and turning up the defense to seal the victory. Against more solid competition in this year's championship matches, BYU wasn't any different... it's just that they didn't score as many points, and they had to dig deeper than usual to bury the opposition!

Either way you cut it, my attempts to justify BYU's win are still only feeble at best... and though I could continue to rant and rave (as you know I will later!), I'll pause for now, let the emotions cool a bit, and give all of you BYU fans a chance to read up on the game, to hear all the other views and perspectives on Our boys' miraculous comeback win. The BYU Rugby team has done more than their part, and their work is done for now... but for some of us, it's only just begun! BYU Rugby Forever!!!

Read away, my fellow BYU Rugby fans:

"BYU DETHRONES CAL TO WIN THE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP"
"Bears Defeated by BYU in Final, 25-22"
"BYU Knocks off Cal, Wins First National Title"
"BYU scales the mountaintop"
"BYU BEATS CAL"
"AN AMAZING NIGHT FOR BYU, COLLEGE RUGBY"
"BYU rugby wins first national championship"
"National champions"
"Y. rugby club claims national title"
"Cal men fall to BYU in championship game"
"BYU stuns Cal to end five-year reign in rugby"
"Quest for Sixth Straight Title Falls at Foot of Davies, BYU"

(Photo courtesy of David Herschorn - The Daily Californian)

Read more...

BYU vs. Arkansas State photos

Here are the latest photos from the BYU Rugby team's most recent and incredibly close test against Arkansas State, courtesy of Paul Meyers: BYU vs. Arkansas State


Read more...