Rugby club saved because of onslaught of rookies
Despite the difficulty of putting together a team before the season began, the Utah State University men’s rugby team is already expecting to be better than last year, said captain and president Bryce Baxter.
Having only nine returning players from last season, Baxter and USU was left scrambling to find enough players to have a starting lineup for the season opener.
USU finally received what it had been waiting for, an onslaught of rookies, Baxter said.
The Aggies received 15 new players to fill the roster and create a starting lineup.
Even with the new players, Baxter said, the Aggies are still worried about what type of team they would have because 10 of the 15 newcomers had never seen a rugby match.
But following their performance against BYU Saturday, the questions surrounding the team have dropped.
“We are already a better team this year than we were last year,” Baxter said. Though losing to BYU 45-7, it was a positive attitude and the fact BYU is one of the top teams in the nation that excites the Aggies, he said.
Because the veterans were faced with the possibility of not being able to play at all, which is giving them a new outlook on the game, they also have a great deal to do with the new enthusiasm on the team.
“All our returnees are doing a fantastic job of stepping up and helping the coaches,” Baxter said.
The Aggies will continue to have the help of their three coaches led by Nev Pulotu, returning from last year. With the guidance from the coaches Baxter said the rugby team is looking to go far this season.
-CSMO@cc.usu.edu