If anyone is hiding under a rock, now is the time to come out and see some good rugby this weekend. Varsity Cup super regional start this weekend with 8 teams in, four teams playing in the eastern super regional and four in the western super regional. Thought I would write up a little commentary about what I see happening this weekend. For those either attending the BYU game in person or watching online, please wear BYU BLUE and enjoy the game.

Roll super regional....

Rugby Super Regionals 19April2014

• Eastern games LIVE right here: http://new.livestream.com/navy/channel1
• Eastern games here if you visit in person: http://www.navysports.com/facilities/dir-memorial.html
• Varsity Schedule here, scores from previous round: http://varsitycup.us/schedule
• Here is the new Varsity Promo for this weekend:http://youtu.be/jiY3yRbrvQQ

Don’t try and find it anything at www.navysports.com because you will get extremely frustrated and lost. I found it but it took me a good 10 minutes to figure things out. Thought I would make things easier for my cougar brothers (and sisters). According to the link http://new.livestream.com/navy/channel1, all eastern games will be shown live and has a countdown. Book mark that site for this weekend game… 

Here is what I see happening and my predictions for Super regional. 

East Super Regional Pool 1: Dartmouth vs BYU.

• Where: This game is at Annapolis so if you are around that area, stop in a see a great battle.
• When: Game time starts at 1:30pm EDT.
• Online: http://new.livestream.com/navy/channel1

Last time these two teams played in 2009, BYU won going away 26-5 and BYU also won their first national title. Dartmouth is smaller; BYU is bigger with faster backs.

My prediction:  Key for BYU is to start off strong with quick strikes. String Dartmouth wide and force one on one and have center cut back inside for quicker gains. Whippy boys along with Elkington boys will shine and of course Johny rugby will be a key player as well. Given that Kyle Sumsion (capt) will be at his best. Dartmouth can’t stop those 6 players. Paul Lasike, will he play? Yes, should play.

BYU should dominate scrums in this game, because of size, but that has been a sore spot for BYU this season. Line outs, not sure how that will be effective in this game, but hope BYU is improved in this area. Size vs small is the name of this game.

BYU 65 Dartmouth 24

East Super Regional Pool 2: Texas vs Navy

• Where: This game is at Annapolis.
• When: Game time starts at 3:30pm EDT.
• Online: http://new.livestream.com/navy/channel1

TX was my surprise team last week against ND. I watched that game from the varsity cup website and I was very surprised TX scored three tries in the first 9 minutes. TX, because of that win has confidence as they battle Navy. Navy is home so you know their fans will be out supporting their team. TX has met their match this go around and Navy wins this game.

Navy 47 TX 12

West Super Regional Pool 3: Cal vs UCLA

• Where: North Athletic Field in Los Angeles. Home game for UCLA
• When: 3pm PDT http://www.calbears.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209467788
• Online: Pac12 network

Cal is the big brother in the same conference; UCLA is the red headed step child. UCLA wants respect and Cal simply won’t give in. Played twice already, both losses to Cal, this match won’t be any different. Cal is very disciplined and driven to excel. Winning three matches against your opponent is pretty telling where your program is currently. For UCLA, beating Cal means the WORLD and a major shot in the arm.

Cal 42 UCLA 10

West Super Regional Pool 4: Utah vs CW

• Where: North Athletic Field in Los Angeles.
• When: 1pm PDT
• Online: Pac12 network

Losing to BYU was probably the best thing for Utah and this matchup between Central Washington and Utah just might be the closest of all four games this weekend. I believe this match will be closer than most people believe.  We know what Utah can do, but CW isn’t BYU and Utah is better than CW. I would be surprised if CW wins.

Utah 35 CW 24

Varsity Cup Semi-finals 26April2014

Top seed teams host, so that means IF BYU beats Dartmouth, they play in Provo at South field. That is the end game for BYU, currently undefeated this 2014 season. I am sure, although not a 100% positive but these games will be shown online. BYU rugby website (http://rugby.byu.edu/) should have the updated information and I would check there first. As for the Cal game, I could easily see that on pac12 network or something like that. Check Varsity Cup website for that information. www.varsitycup.us

My prediction: Pool 1 BYU vs Pool 2 Navy for the Semi-final game to be played at South field 26^th of April 2014.

My prediction: Pool 3 Cal vs Pool 4 Utah for the Semi-final game to be played at Cal 26^th of April 204. Cal has the most difficult road to the semi-finals.

Varsity Cup Final 3May2014 Rio Tinto SLC

Okay, you can probably guess who my will be playing for the NC this year.

BYU vs Cal. Both teams lost to SMC (favorite to win the D1 title) but clearly when both programs are the best within THE BEST rugby conference in the U.S.A then it stands to reason these two giants will clash at some point. That point will be in the national championship game in SLC.

I can’t even predict the score on this game, but I am 99.995% confident BYU and Cal will be there. Wait for my last and final prediction after the super regional and semi-final matches.

Until then, enjoy the 2013 national championship game between BYU and Cal.http://youtu.be/K1JcW1AheQE

My 2014 Varsity Cup Tier Rankings

Looking at the Varsity Cup there are 12 teams for the 2014 season. Like any conference growing, there will be growing pains for younger rugby programs. Younger programs do want to play against the BEST and be the BEST, but as of right now, they are learning this sport.

TX made a good jump this year in the VC playoffs by beating Notre Dame. It takes those types of wins to start the confidence part of your young program. TX, that means they must continue to win and for the rest of the younger rugby teams means they need to step up.

Tier One: BYU, Cal.

Those two programs for so long have been the benchmark for rugby in the U.S. Cal, more national titles than BYU, but recently BYU has had Cal number. 2013 national championship match was probably the BEST so far. One could make the argument that SMC could be in this tier as well, since they split BYU and beat Cal.

These are the two programs EVERYONE else in the nation is shooting for, regardless of what conference they are currently in. This is simply noting that both teams are equal in that regard. BYU has a slight edge due to being the defending national champion.

BYU could widen this gap this year or Cal could slightly lead. All depends. Either way, no mistake about these two teams. They are SIMPLY the BEST in college rugby, no question. Unless there is a another front runner to stop these two programs I see Cal vs BYU in annual championships.

Tier Two A: CW, UCLA, Utah, Dartmouth, and Navy

Dartmouth, CW, Utah and Navy are deserving of this status with an edge to Dartmouth. CW and Utah currently neck and neck in this tier, final decision will be based on after this weekend. Question for this tier what team will join BYU and Cal? I consider UCLA the “weakest” of this group.

Tier Two B:  ND, AFA,

ND can get back to tier two A, but losing to TX at home doesn’t help matters this year. One simply can’t lose home field, regardless which sport. AFA could easily be in tier A, but Utah is the better team.

Tier Three: Clemson, OU, TX

TX, Clemson than OU. Clemson has speed like TX, but all three need experience. There is a video of OU rugby called All In. Coach Jason Hordwitz talks about establishing a culture of All IN (caring about the WHOLE team). Video right here: http://youtu.be/8mHu2Z6jlAU

Recommendation for this tier, play up as much as you can because that will help your program immensely and will increase your program confidence. All three needs to have a mix of playing on the road and at home, but traveling to Cal and BYU and playing them in their arena are critical for these young programs as that is the best way to learn and develop as a program. To be the best, play the best.

Rugby going forward

For the game to continue to grow and gain more acceptances in the U.S.A, teams will need to step up in recruiting. BYU in this regard is ahead of everyone else in my opinion. Because of the LDS influence in Polynesia, BYU has thoroughly enjoyed the international flare more so than other rugby programs. We all know the reason why BYUtv can't show BYU rugby (not enough resources), but for BYUSN to talk about BYU Rugby will continue to give that program more attention. Any attention to BYU sports IS ALWAYS a good thing. Another venue for people seeing the games are through BYU Rugby website http://rugby.byu.edu/

BYU reach includes Polynesia, South Africa as well as U.S and Europe. Beating rival Cal in the most important matches will always be the best recruiting venue for BYU, this year no exception. International markets saw BYU vs Cal last year and BYU vs SMC play in 2014. Continued winning at a high level is paramount at this point in the program. Players want a solid education and knowing that they can play rugby as well will only increase in that regard. What that means for BYU, is continued progress towards annual championship games. New Zealand will continue to be a solid pipeline for BYU rugby. The best rugby in the world is played there on all ages. 

Humility, effort and skill are needed for BYU rugby, but the future is very bright. Same can be said for Cal. They simply are a machine and should be taken seriously for any future recruiting process. Not sure if BYU and Cal compete with same recruits, but Cal is a program that has great respect in the rugby community.