Rugby clubs to host annual ‘Bloodletting’ tournament
In what has become an annual event the weekend of Valentine’s Day, the Utah State University men’s and women’s rugby clubs will host the “Bloodletting” Tournament Saturday on the HPER Fields.
“Some of the older guys who were here before thought it would be nice to play in the snow,” men’s coach Nev Pulotu said when asked about the origins of the tournament.
Due to the substantial amount of snow on the fields, both team’s will play less games than it normally does in this tournament as the women’s team will play a single game at noon against a combined team with players from rival schools BYU, the University of Utah and Weber State University.
“Normally, we would be able to play two games, but when you’re falling in icy snow [it’s a lot more difficult],” women’s captain Lauren Drietzler said.
The men’s team is slated to play two games, starting at 11 a.m. against Idaho State University. Play will conclude at 2 p.m. when the Aggie men battle a USU alumni team.
When asked about playing in the snow, Drietzler said play tends to be more physical, but the Aggies are used to playing in the snow, thus making the adjustment a relatively easy one.
Drietzler said she is counting on the experience USU gained when eight players were selected to play on the Utah national team to lead the Aggies to victory.
“When we came back [from playing on the national team], it opened our eyes to some things we could improve on,” she said.
On the men’s side, Pulotu said this tournament will serve as great practice for what he said was a pretty inexperienced team.
“At least 85 percent of the players were brand new [last semester], so we’re looking at a very young, inexperienced team, but also a very determined one,” he said.
Like Drietzler, Pulotu said he expects a slower-paced, more physical game.
“It will be a very slow moving pace [and] there will be a lot more contact in the snow,” Pulotu said.