Rugby must beat powerhouses to advance in tournament

Ryan A. Mihalyi Arizona Daily Wildcat UA rugby player Anthony Raymond fights off three closing opponents during their March 9 game against ASU . The rugby team will play in the national championship tournament this weekend.

The Wildcats, who are making their fourth appearance in the round of 16, play in the West Regional bracket that includes Indiana as well as Air Force and California, the only two schools to defeat Arizona this season.

Arizona is making its first appearance in the tourney since 1988.

Despite the ironic seeding, the Wildcats do not feel that a payback is on their minds.

"The revenge factor really doesn't come into play for us," said head coach Dave Sitton. "All week we have been stressing perfection and that is all we are focusing on right now. If we make every possession count, we should be just fine."

Arizona hopes to make up for a last minute loss handed it in October in Saturday's Air Force game. Cal faces Indiana in the other semifinal.

Arizona is winless in its seven outings versus Air Force in the brief series history.

The winners of each semifinal will square off Sunday with the winner of that game advancing to the Final Four in Berkeley later this month.

The Wildcats enter the tournament with a 14-2 record and have won six straight by an average score of 47-6.

Over the course of the season Arizona has outscored its opponents by more than a three-to-one ratio.

Air Force is making its sixth appearance in the round of 16, and holds two national titles, taking home the top prize in 1988 and '89.

Cal has won 15 of the19 national championships awarded and is defending its title this season.

"We just need to take care of the ball," Sitton said. "If we take care of our business, the rest will take care of itself."