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By Alex Goff
Third-ranked University of Delaware starts its campaign to back up its ranking with a very difficult trip to St. George, Utah to play BYU and the Utah Utes at the Red Rock Tournament this weekend.
Head coach Bjorn Haglid joked Tuesday that he was hoping his opponents would allow 18 players on the field.
“It will be a tough weekend,” said Haglid more seriously. “We haven’t been outside much. But for me this is a no-lose situation. The only really bad thing that can come out of this is if someone gets hurt. We will find out what we need to do to go forward.”
In fact, the second worst thing for Delaware would be for them to win these games with ease. Haglid wants to put the fear of complacency into his players, and he’s quite sure the #1 Cougars and the #6 Utes will give his guys all they can handle.
“Just going undefeated and trying to keep the battle drum going into the playoffs is hard,” Haglid said. “This will be a great measuring stick for us. Hopefully we’ll show them a little bit about what Delaware rugby is all about – we’ll give them a full 80 and never give up. The guys are really eager.”
Defending national champions BYU is ready also, having been idle for a couple of weeks since opening their season in Las Vegas. (More on BYU’s anticipation of the game here.)
Hosts Utah are working to erase the memories of two relatively disappointing playoff seasons where they lost in the Round of 16. Head coach Blake Burdette is hoping this game will be a challenge for his players, too.
“We’re close to finding our best 15, and I am seeing plenty of commitment from the top 25 guys, but we’re still having depth issues,” said the former Eagle Burdette. “We’re still looking for our identity as a team.
Utah will have Don Pati back at scrumhalf. The freshman has been sensational in just about every venue – Highland Rugby, IRANZ Academy, USA U20s – and will combine with flanker Mike Juszczak, lock Nick Raymond and previous USA 7s captain Thretton Palamo as part of a quartet of outstanding freshmen.
“Thretton’s had a lot of experience but this is his first year,” said Burdette. “We’ll want to put the ball in his hands; he is so dangerous. But he’s also good atcreating space for other players and using them.”
Utah will play Delaware a day after the Blue Hens take on BYU. However, the Utes won’t be idle, as they play the always tough Utah Valley University on Friday.
Delaware will travel with most of their starters, led by captain and blindside flanker Jarett Brotz.
“Jarett works out really good as captain because he is able to insert with the backs and therefore has a good understanding of what they're doing as well as the forwards,” said Haglid. “We’re get a look at what West Coast rugby is like.”
Haglid added that Utah has served as “impeccable hosts. I didn’t really know about this Red Rock Tournament until they called me. Once I got the commitment from the players I was all for it.”
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