Utah Rugby

[big z]

Home game tomorrow against ASU at Marv Jenson field, 103th South and redwood road. Kickoff 12pm.

http://www.facebook.com/UofURugby

[big z]

Home game tomorrow against ASU at Marv Jenson field, 103th South and redwood road. Kickoff 12pm.

http://www.facebook.com/UofURugby


Write up from the match

http://rugbymag.com/men's-di-college/7185-utes-out-muscle-sun-devils.html

[wally]

Write up from the match

http://rugbymag.com/men's-di-college/7185-utes-out-muscle-sun-devils.html

Is this offensive tackle, John Cullen (#77)? It looks like it is in the photo. I think that Cullen's stint as an NFL free agent is over, and maybe he is finishing up some classes or something and playing rugby on the side?


Four of Utah’s tries came through the forward pack, as No. 8 John Cullen dotted down twice, and hooker Mike Shepherd, lock Spencer Vickery and Juszczak (a flanker) scored once each.

When I played rugby at the U, we were mostly just a bunch of rag-tag goofballs. The rugby team got more serious when Blake Burdette took over coaching. Is he still the coach?

[utebehindenemylines]

That is most definitely John Cullen.

[big z]

Is this offensive tackle, John Cullen (#77)? It looks like it is in the photo. I think that Cullen's stint as an NFL free agent is over, and maybe he is finishing up some classes or something and playing rugby on the side?



When I played rugby at the U, we were mostly just a bunch of rag-tag goofballs. The rugby team got more serious when Blake Burdette took over coaching. Is he still the coach?

He was last season, not sure this year. I got an email on FB from their SID and because they are on probabtion there will not be a full schedule published this season and all games will be posted on their Facebook profile 48 hours prior. Games are being played down in South Jordan.

[execUTEioner]

Is this offensive tackle, John Cullen (#77)? It looks like it is in the photo. I think that Cullen's stint as an NFL free agent is over, and maybe he is finishing up some classes or something and playing rugby on the side?
I saw John Cullen in the crowd at Rio Tinto Stadium during the BYU-Utah match two seasons ago. I had no idea he started playing. He would be a load at #8. I would think prop would be a more natural fit given his OL background. But then he's pretty tall so it would make an unbalanced front row if they couldn't find someone to balance.



When I played rugby at the U, we were mostly just a bunch of rag-tag goofballs. The rugby team got more serious when Blake Burdette took over coaching. Is he still the coach?
What years did you play?
Hostile mentioned in a different thread that there's a new coach this year (a long-time assistant from highland) but that's all I've heard.

[wally]

That is most definitely John Cullen.

Utah rugby usually benefits when Utah football has great talent by absorbing the has-beens and and cast-offs.

[hostile]

Hostile mentioned in a different thread that there's a new coach this year (a long-time assistant from highland) but that's all I've heard.
There has been a bit of a shake up with rugby coaches.

Going back a few years, Gelwix left Highland to serve as a mission president. He left Highland to be coached by his assistant Heloti (can't remember his last name)

Blake Burdette coached Utah up until this year. I heard there was an altercation with a player so he is not the head coach this year. Heloti is now coaching Utah.

After taking over Highland there was some issue with the team name so it changed to Trybe last year. Now it is back to Highland and Mark Numbers, former coach at Utah, is now at Highland this year.

Does that make sense?

[CJF]

There has been a bit of a shake up with rugby coaches.

Going back a few years, Gelwix left Highland to serve as a mission president. He left Highland to be coached by his assistant Heloti (can't remember his last name)

Blake Burdette coached Utah up until this year. I heard there was an altercation with a player so he is not the head coach this year. Heloti is now coaching Utah.

After taking over Highland there was some issue with the team name so it changed to Trybe last year. Now it is back to Highland and Mark Numbers, former coach at Utah, is now at Highland this year.

Does that make sense?
The Highland football coaches have really done a number on the program. It's sad. Last year Jeramy Evans was coaching Trybe. I wonder if Mark Numbers is a Highland alum. I played with a couple of Number kids while at Highland.

[execUTEioner]

The Highland football coaches have really done a number on the program. It's sad. Last year Jeramy Evans was coaching Trybe. I wonder if Mark Numbers is a Highland alum. I played with a couple of Number kids while at Highland.

Mark is a Highland alum.


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[OceanBlue]

UCLA 50 Utah 38

[CJF]

Mark is a Highland alum.


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I wonder if it is the same family. They had 11 kids if I remember correctly. The two in my class were both very good athletes and even better people.

[Damage U]

Did anyone else buy a shirt from their fundraiser? Its been awhile since I bought mine and I haven't heard a thing and the web site has been shut down. Should I be putting a freeze on my bank account?

[hostile]

The Highland football coaches have really done a number on the program. It's sad. Last year Jeramy Evans was coaching Trybe. I wonder if Mark Numbers is a Highland alum. I played with a couple of Number kids while at Highland.

I think the football coach is back on board in supporting the rugby program. Highland has gone to a single-school format this year and is practicing back at the school (but not on the soccer field off 2100S). Trybe is still running as a multi-school club.

One other rugby related note. I have tried to find international rugby available on local Cable without success. Comcast in Utah doesn't carry Fox Soccer+. I recently discovered superXVguru on Youtube. There are delayed broadcasts of all the Super XV matches as well as the Six Nations. The delay is about 4-5 days and the quality is pretty good. I think they will show The Rugby Championship at the end of the summer as well.

[wally]

I think they will show The Rugby Championship at the end of the summer as well.

Nice! I will check this out.

I have been able to get the Tri-Nations The Rugby Championship through DirecTV, but this may actually be the reason I dump satellite and cable for good.

[Damage U]

Utah @ Cal today. Utes look to upset the Bears for a shot at the inaugural PAC conference title. Starts at 1:00 Cali time.

[CJF]

Utah @ Cal today. Utes look to upset the Bears for a shot at the inaugural PAC conference title. Starts at 1:00 Cali time.

Who won?

[Damage U]

Cal boat raced the scrumin' Utes, 51-29 and locked up the PAC title.
http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-rugby/recaps/033013aab.html

John Cullen (8) was the high-scorer for the Utes with 10.

Utes play TDS this Fri. (4/5) @ 7pm for the Wasatch Cup. I believe its @ TDS this year.

[Damage U]

Did anyone else buy a shirt from their fundraiser? Its been awhile since I bought mine and I haven't heard a thing and the web site has been shut down. Should I be putting a freeze on my bank account?

I should have posted this awhile ago. Ask and ye shall receive. The next day it showed up in my mailbox. Looks great.

[Randal Graves]

No one is saying what the violations were, but the U has suspended the Rugby team for the 2013-2014 season, so there won't be a game.

http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865577326/BYU-rugby-Wasatch-Cup-scrapped-Utah-suspended-BYU-to-host-clinic.html

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[OceanBlue]

Well this screws up the Varsity Cup. Not good for college rugby.

[dabrockster]

No season for next year?? WOW.. That seems a bit steep...

[Diehard Ute]

No season for next year?? WOW.. That seems a bit steep...

They were already on probation. That's why they weren't playing games on campus this year. Obviously there were more problems.

[Damage U]

Here is some other vague write-ups on what's going on.

Looks like it could be 3 years of suspension. Not good!

https://www.rugbymag.com/men%27s-di-college/7622-report-indicates-utah-rugby-suspended.html

and an update;
https://www.rugbymag.com/college-news/7630-more-on-u-utah-woes.html

[Damage U]

If I'm remembering right, do the Scrumin' Utes get to start back up this spring? Has anyone heard anything?

[wally]

According to this article: http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/utes/56268300-89/team-club-university-rugby.html.csp

The Utes will resume competition, but be on university probation for 2 years. Also, I was unaware that Blake Burdette stepped down as head coach, and wonder who will take that role on now? Apparently part of the penance is that the team will not be allowed to sport the university logo on their uniforms for the forseeable future.

Another article comparing the Ute rugby situation to Ute Hockey circa 2003: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865579700/Utah-Utes-Rugby-finds-itself-in-similar-situation-to-what-Utah-Hockey-overcame.html?pg=all

[Damage U]

As far as coaches go, when does Gelwix finish being a mission pres.? Maybe keep our fingers crossed.

[hostile]

As far as coaches go, when does Gelwix finish being a mission pres.? Maybe keep our fingers crossed.
Gelwix is done in Fresno June, 2014. I think it is highly unlikely that he would want to coach Utah' rugby team.

[Damage U]

Has anyone seen a Utes schedule for this year? I've seen them on the schedules of ASU, Cal and BYU but I haven't seen a schedule out from Utah.

[Damage U]

http://varsitycup.us/my-team/utah-2/

Looks like the Utes will be competing for the Varsity Cup this season. I thought they were in this before the suspension but looks as though Utah was recently added. A little more updated info on the teams coaches as well.

[Damage U]

http://usarugby.org/mens-sevens-news/item/seven-players-join-eagles-at-olympic-training-center?category_id=3

A Ute becomes an Eagle.
Congrats to Thretton Palamo who just made it onto the US national 7's team.

[OrangeUte]

That's great for thretton. Rugby 7s is awesome.

[Damage U]

Just an update on the Scrummin' Utes.
They seem to have picked up where they left off pre suspension. They are undefeated and lead the PAC with wins over Arizona (1/24) 17-7, ASU (2/8) 46-23 and OSU (2/22) 58/-0. They are ranked #7.
For those looking for a warm weekend in St. George you can catch the Utes playing #8 UCLA this weekend (3/8). March 15th brings the #2 Cal Bears to SLC. April 4th is the Wasatch Cup @ #3 BYU.
They could use your support with help paying for Refs and travel, so go to their site and buy some gear. http://www.uofurugby.com/shop/

[Damage U]

#8 UCLA takes #7 Utah down in St. George 38-26. Rough day for Utah sports today.

[wally]

Thanks for the update Damage U. Also thanks for the link. Seems like the rugby team is always changing websites and I can never keep up.

[DanielLaRusso]

The U Rugby logo is annoyingly bad/misplaced/useless/conceived/executed.

[wally]

The U Rugby logo is annoyingly bad/misplaced/useless/conceived/executed.

Could've used your crack advice before I ordered a hoodie. Now I am going to look like a total dufus. Well, I guess I already do so what the hell!

[DanielLaRusso]

Could've used your crack advice before I ordered a hoodie. Now I am going to look like a total dufus. Well, I guess I already do so what the hell!

Hey, we can't all have good taste.

[wally]

Hey, we can't all have good taste.

Ha! That is exactly what I tell my wife all the time, but usually in defense of myself when I exhibit poor taste :(

[Damage U]

Rough few weeks for the #9 Scrumin' Utes with losses to #1 Cal (43-31) and #3 BYU keeps the Wasatch Cup (41-21).

[Damage U]

Ranking of schools of interest as of 4/3.

1 - Cal (PAC/VC)
3 - BYU (VC)
5 - UCLA (PAC/VC)
7 - Navy (VC)
8 - Central Washington (VC)
9 - Utah (PAC/VC)
14- Arizona (PAC)
15- Clemson (VC)
16- Arizona State (PAC)
21- Colorado*
22- Dartmouth (VC)
25- Oregon*

PAC = PAC12 team VC= VARSITY CUP team *= PAC12 member but plays at a lower division

http://rugbymag.com/men-di-college/10902-mens-di-college-top-25-april-3-2014.html (http://rugbymag.com/men-di-college/10902-mens-di-college-top-25-april-3-2014.html)

[Damage U]

Looks like the Cougs do it again over Cal. They take the Varsity Cup 43-33.

[wally]

Looks like the Cougs do it again over Cal. They take the Varsity Cup 43-33.

When you think of the demographics that BYU has access to, I wonder why they haven't pried more NCs out of Cals grip over the years.

[Damage U]

Sunday play. Until recently the NCs were played on Sunday.

[Damage U]

Nice write-up on Thretton Palamo who has won the start at #12 for the USA Eagles.

http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-news/item/palamo-rugby-s-just-fun-to-me?category_id=2

[wally]

Nice write-up on Thretton Palamo who has won the start at #12 for the USA Eagles.

http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-news/item/palamo-rugby-s-just-fun-to-me?category_id=2

I hop Thretton does well, and that his transition back to rugby is as seamless as possible.

[hostile]

I hop Thretton does well, and that his transition back to rugby is as seamless as possible.
Me too. I'm heading to chicago in Nov with my brothers to catch the All Blacks match. Should be a fun trip.

[Applejack]

Nice write-up on Thretton Palamo who has won the start at #12 for the USA Eagles.

http://usarugby.org/mens-eagles-news/item/palamo-rugby-s-just-fun-to-me?category_id=2

Maybe you ruggers can explain why the rugby-football crossovers never seem to pan out. In the article Thretton says he could never figure out how to get separation from the offensive lineman. He always wanted to make plays in space, but he never had space - sounds like we should have started him at LB.

[wally]

Maybe you ruggers can explain why the rugby-football crossovers never seem to pan out. In the article Thretton says he could never figure out how to get separation from the offensive lineman. He always wanted to make plays in space, but he never had space - sounds like we should have started him at LB.

I keep hoping that one of the crossovers will work out! I think that my short answer to your question is that football is a "chess match-like" game of inches played in bursts, whereas rugby is more fluid and improvisational and mistakes (like Thretton mentioned in the article) can be more easily mitigated. I think that the best "crossovers" are really those who play the sports concurrently in youth (like Morgan Scalley).

[Damage U]

D-news has some news on the scrumin' Utes.
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865607923/Utes-rugby-notebook-Tonata-Lauti-was-named-to-USA-Rugby-All-American-Collegiate-rugby-team.html