Rugby club to compete in doubleheader
The experience of both this week’s opponents will make it difficult for the Utah State University men’s rugby club team to come up with their first win of the season, coach Nev Pulotu said.
The Aggies start off the two-game weekend Friday at 5 p.m. when they face the University of Utah in Salt Lake City. USU will conclude play Saturday at 3 p.m. against the Aggies of New Mexico State University in Salt Lake.
The U of U will be the Aggies’ biggest challenge, Pulotu said.
“They’re real good,” he said. “Even our experienced guys aren’t close to their experienced guys.”
The Utes have gone undefeated so far this season, winning six games, and seem to be more prepared than USU, Pulotu said.
Since the beginning of the season, the Aggies have only had one practice outside, which took place Thursday. This really puts them behind their competition, who haven’t had to worry as much about snow.
Not only have they missed the chance to practice outside, but they have also had to cancel home games, which has resulted in the Aggies only playing one game this season so far.
But experience and preparation is besides the point for the Aggies, Pulotu said.
“Our guys are excited to play,” he said. “They don’t care if they lose or win at this point, they just want to compete and learn. But I’m pretty confident that our guys will do good.”
The Aggies are definitely more excited to play New Mexico than they are to play the U of U, Pulotu said, because they aren’t expected to have as good of a team.
Even though they aren’t expected to be as good as the U of U, he said they are still more experienced and more organized, which will be hard for the Aggies to overcome.
Saturday’s game also marks the first meeting ever between New Mexico and USU.