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Rugby team faces tough conference opponents

By: Maxx Wolfson

During the last two seasons, the Arizona rugby team has lost only three conference matches while winning 18.

Two of the three losses, however, were to the University of California at Santa Barbara, each by a 15-10 score..

The Wildcats will try to reverse their fortunes this weekend, as the Gauchos visit Tucson for a key game.

"Both years we have found a way to lose," Rugby head coach Dave Sitton said. "We need to make every possession precious."

Before that, though, Arizona (2-2 overall, 1-0 in SoCal Conference) will have to contend with Cal Poly at San Luis Obispo tomorrow in the Wildcats' home opener.

Last weekend, Cal Poly lost its first conference game against San Diego State, 22-16.

"Last season against Cal Poly we did not open well." Sitton said. "They gave us fits, but we had a good second half and we ended up beating them 25-0."

The Wildcats and Gauchos, who have been playing against each other since the mid-1970s, meet Sunday at Estevan Park,

The weekend will help determine how the Wildcats, who won the conference last season, stack up against, Sitton said.

"This weekend could hold a conference championship preview," Sitton said. "Either of the teams we play this weekend and the Wildcats have a good chance of winning the conference."

Both games this weekend will be played at Estevan Park. Tomorrow's matchup against Cal Poly starts at 2:45 p.m. and Sunday's game against Santa Barbara begins at 1 p.m.