14th/23rd Ranked Wildcats Face Rematch in San Diego

The University of Arizona rugby team (3-2, 1-2), ranked 23rd by American Rugby Newsand 14th by Rugby Magazine/GoffOnRugby, will play 5th ranked/6^th ranked San
Diego State (5-0, 4-0) in California this Saturday. It will be the second Premier League match
between the two top 25 programs in three weeks.
The Aztecs defeated Arizona 38-17 at Salpointe High School on January 23^rd.

“We learned plenty,” said Arizona head coach Dave Sitton. “San Diego State did a magnificent job of forcing us into long defensive
stands. Eventually we wore down.”

San Diego State’s excellent use of a tail wind and Arizona missed kicks forced Arizona into playing defense inside their own red zone for most of the first half of the match in Tucson.

Both teams posted impressive victories last weekend. While Arizona pounded UC Santa Barbara 51-10, San Diego State blasted Cal Poly San
Luis Obispo 45-0.

The two teams are figured to be the top in the rugged Premier competition. First and second place finishers in the Premier League are guaranteed spots in the round of
sixteen for the national championships.

SDSU fields essentially the same lineup that qualified for college rugby’s FINAL FOUR last year. The Aztecs completed 2009 conference play with an 8 – 0 record.

They lost in the national quarter finals against eventual national champions BYU.

In the overall series, the Aztecs have a 27 – 23 – 1 advantage, including last month’s match. The Aztecs are guided by first year head coach Matt Sherman.

The Wildcats return twelve starters from a team that raised eyebrows around the nation because of its play in the remarkable SoCal Premier Division. In the final regular season match of 2009, Arizona passed up field
goal attempt to tie SDSU. Arizona’s gamble failed
on the final play preserving a narrow 15 – 12 win for the Aztecs.

All American Peter Tiberio along with former U-20 national team players Trent Fischer and Tim Moxness highlight an explosive back line for the Wildcats.

The forward pack is anchored by All American candidate Chris Elkins as well as locks Tyler Chastain and David Samons. Senior Captain Sean
O’Sullivan is also on the All American watch list starting at open side
flanker.

Recruiting the World

The Wildcat program welcomed 66 new team members to the squad this fall. Of them, seven hailed from countries around the world. Included are Argentina (1), Australia
(3), England (1), New Zealand (3), and Singapore (1)

Medical Watch

Arizona will play without one starter this Saturday. Wing Carl Jensen is out with a hamstring pull.

Rookies at Home

The Arizona rookie program will entertain Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management this Saturday, February 6, at Rincon Vista.
The match will take place at 1:00 p.m.

Mustangs Up Next

Arizona continues conference play at a neutral site next Friday. On February 12 Arizona will take
on Cal Poly San Luis Obispo as a curtain raiser for the USA Sevens event which
will be televised by ABC, ESPN, and live on a world feed. Arizona will face Cal Poly at 3:00 p.m. Arizona’s Junior Varsity will take on the
University of Minnesota Golden Gopher Varsity at 11:00 a.m., and the Wildcats
Rookie team will play Cal Poly San Luis Obispo at 9:00 a.m.

Premier League Standings

Through January 31

W L Points For Points Against Total Points

San Diego State 4 0 161 34 20

Arizona 1 2 83 65 6

UCLA 1 1 31 42 4

UCSB 1 2 32 112 4

Cal Poly SLO 0 2 10 64 0