15th/25th Ranked Wildcats Open Home Conference at Salpointe HS

(Arizona faced SDSU in Murphey Stadium last March. The 'Cats passed on a kick to tie and dropped a 15 - 12 decision to the Aztecs.)

The University of Arizona rugby team, ranked 25th by American Rugby News, and fifteenth by Rugby Magazine/GoffOnRugby opens the 2010 conference home season against San Diego State on Saturday. The match has been moved to Salpointe Catholic High School due to very wet fields on the UA Campus. The premier mach kicks at 3:00 p.m. (See box below for details.)
The Wildcats suffered their first set back of the season when they were upset by unranked UCLA in Los Angeles. The Bruins limited Arizona to just two first half tries in their 17 – 15 conquest of Arizona. The loss dropped Arizona’s record to 2 – 1, 0 – 1 on the year
. “We simply did not play well,” remarked Arizona head coach Dave Sitton. “ We had limited practice time as we started school last Wednesday. We’ve shoveled ourselves into a hole. But we do have the players to climb out of our little chasm.”
San Diego State meanwhile, has two wins to start their season. The Aztecs knocked off UCLA 27 -14 two weeks ago. They pounded UCSB 55 – 3 last Saturday.

Saturday, January 23, Schedule
1:15 p.m. Arizona JV V. San Diego State JV
So Cal Conference Match

3:00 p.m. Arizona V. San Diego State
So Cal Conference match

Both matches played at Ed Doherty Stadium
Salpointe Catholic High School
Mountain Avenue n/o Copper Street
Adults $5.00
Students with ID, children free

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 over all series, the Aztecs have a 26 – 23 – 1 advantage, having won six straight from Arizona. 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: All Conference flanker Chris Elkins is out with a broken collarbone. He is expected back in the lineup in February.

Gauchos Up Next
Arizona continues conference play in Tucson next Saturday, January 30 in Tucson. Arizona will face powerhouse San Diego State. Exact game times at the Rincon Vista complex will be announced later in the week.