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UA rugby team gets annihilated by Aussies

UA rugby head coach Dave Sitton promised that the Wildcats would score points against Sydney University of Australia in yesterday's exhibition game, something UNLV and Stanford couldn't do.

Well, the Wildcats (1-1) did score some points, 12 to be exact, but they still fell 58 points shy of a tie as Sydney tallied 70 against UA en route to yet another blowout of a U.S. team.

"I would suggest the following: the first inclination would be to assume we just weren't prepared, while in fact they performed much like surgeons," Sitton said. "They knew exactly where to incise our defense and once they made the incision, they removed all the blockages on the way to the try zone."

The Wildcats were taught a lesson in ball control, defense, attack and just about anything else that involves the game of rugby.

"I think what happened today was our fellas played as well as any team that I have coached," Sydney head coach Dick Laffin said. "For the first 35 minutes of the game we just didn't make a mistake and that is impossible to beat. We hope that it will happen again, but it probably won't. It doesn't take anything away from Arizona, they were probably just stunned."

The scoring began early and continued often for the folks from Down Under as they scored their first try just one minute into the game when center Kieran Sheppard slid through the UA defense on his way to the score.

Sydney kicker Renny Field converted on the extra point, which was the first of his 24 points on the day.

"Our goal kicker, who is sometimes erratic, only missed one kick," Laffin said.

The Wildcats did manage to score two tries in the match as wing Mike Martinez and lock Josh Allen displayed their skills to the Australians by running through their defense en route to the first points scored against Sydney in this country.

"On the day, the things went the way they were supposed to go," Sitton said. "Everyone on the pitch made plays and mistakes and I would not allow or expect any of our players to hang their heads. Those young men (Sydney) play rugby as well as anyone in their age group that I have ever seen."

Laffin, despite coming to America and blowing out some teams from the nation, did have many kind words to say about the country and its people.

"It is wonderful to come here, not just for me, but for the students as well," he said. "It is a great cross cultural trip and we have had a lot of fun. If it wasn't for the game of rugby, we would probably never have seen this country and it is a beautiful. The people are very kind."

The Wildcats now have to turn their attention to January when conference play begins.