Rugby looks to play first home game
The Utah State University men’s club rugby team is seeking revenge against Idaho State University in the Aggies’ first season game at home Saturday at noon on the HPER Field.
The last time the team faced ISU was in the friendly tournament USU hosted which the Aggies lost by a try.
“It wasn’t your normal match because it was all snowy, which slowed everyone down,” scrum half Ryan Heath said. “This game will be a lot better.”
The Aggies will be going into the match after having lost to the University of Utah by nine tries last weekend. The team was missing key players in the game against the Utes.
This weekend USU is hoping to play with flanker Kevin Arrington, who has been out with a wired jaw due to a sledding accident, Heath said. Heath himself will also look to play. He was injured halfway through the U of U game.
“We’re a lot more optimistic than we were against the U,” Heath said. “We’re expecting to win this one.”
Aside from the returning players, he said, the Aggies feel the season will begin to take a turn.
Up to now, because of the amount of new players, coach Nev Pulotu has been feeling things out and trying to see where his players should be.
“Now that the season is a little more into it, our coach is going to start practicing with the starting line,” Heath said.
Since the snow is gone, USU also has the advantage of practicing outside. This gives the Aggies the chance to have two practices a week instead of the one practice indoors.
This won’t only help USU in their skills, but it also produces better fitness among the players, he said.
After last week the Aggies realized their fitness was a problem, Pulotu said.