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Rugby team going back to the basics after loss

Turnovers once again hurt the University of Arizona rugby team Saturday in a 17-15 loss to the University of California at Davis.

"The good news is that the effort was there," head coach Dave Sitton said. "You can do things to correct the amount of turnovers but it is hard to change the effort, which we had."

To try to correct the turnover problem the rugby team is going back to the basics.

"We are going to have to spend a little more time during practice putting the players in real game situations," assistant coach Phil Moody said.

Tomorrow, the team will be put in a three-week training camp-like atmosphere to go back over the basics.

"It is always a good idea in the middle of the season to cleanse our palate," said senior lock Rob Ternes. "It is always good to go over the basics."

Since the game was an exhibition match, which was arranged between the team's head coaches, the loss does not effect the Wildcats record which stands at 8-4 overall and 6-1 in the SoCal Conference.

The game was played pretty evenly throughout, though, UC Davis led for most of the game.

The Wildcats did not take the lead until late in the second half when they went up by a score of 15-14 with less than five minutes remaining.

Though, with less than two minutes remaining, UC Davis made a kick to win.

"We just made some bad decisions at bad times," Moody said. "The personal on the field gave it their all."

Since the Wildcats were without five starters, a lot of the younger players were able to get some action. Sophomore Joe Schmidt was able to make his first start at flyhalf.

"Due to injuries which could occur, some of the younger players might have to play in the playoffs," Sitton said. "We are going to need these guys to step-up."

All five of the starters who were missing on Saturday are expected to be ready for the playoffs, which start in three weeks.

"We are a different team when we have these players in the line-up," Moody said. "Saturday's game definitely would have been a different one if they had played."