Rugby to finally begin season
Three weeks ago the Arizona club rugby team was supposed to play a tournament in Houston, but because of Mother Nature it was washed out by a torrential downpour of rain.
Tomorrow, the team will be doing something the players have wanted to do since finding out the tournament in Houston was canceled. They are finally going to begin their season.
"I don't know if I want to be around them if they don't play Saturday. They seem like they are going to burst," head coach Dave Sitton said.
The Wildcats will play host to Humboldt State and Arizona State in their third annual Domino's Invitational Tournament this weekend.
The Wildcats open tomorrow morning at 10 against the Lumberjacks of Humboldt State, a team that nearly surprised UA in the first round of the Reno Invitational last year.
The Wildcats won in overtime 20-17.
"HSU is very well coached by Chris Byrne and they are a Division II type program," Sitton said. "They are a very competitive team who gives their opponents a good run. They won't be afraid and I know that."
Sunday at 1 p.m. will be the second game for the Wildcats as they face ASU. This will continue a series that the Wildcats hold a 34-12-1 advantage in. UA won their last meeting, beating the Sun Devils in March up in Tempe 30-0.
"As far as ASU is concerned they are coached by Brad Filgas, who is trying to improve a situation he found to be in chaos," Sitton said. "But it is ASU-UA so you can forget your history. It is not just a rivalry in football. In fact, if we were to play them in chess I think a fight would probably break out."
As for his own program, Sitton said, "I have great expectations for this team. They have worked as hard, if not harder than any particular group returning. They are talented and have a lust in their heart for the game."
The first match between ASU and UA took place in 1975 when Sitton was playing fullback for UA.
The tournament, which has seen only one champion in the Wildcats in its history, will also feature the junior varsity programs of the three schools during the course of the weekend.
The matches will take place at Estevan Park (1000 N. Main Avenue at Speedway Boulevard) and admission is free.
Dan Rosen can be reached via e-mail at Dan.Rosen@wildcat.arizona.edu.
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