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Cal Rugby: Whose Scrum Axe?

What: Cal-Stanfurd (Scrum Axe)
Time: Saturday, 1:00 PM PST
Place: Witter Rugby Field

TV/Radio: None
Internetz Stuff: calbears.com


For a Short History on Everything Cal Rugby, visit this post.  It includes a lot of laws (rules), as well as the history and Cal Rugby's total domination.  To see Cal's incoming recruiting class, visit this post.  Might also want to spend your Friday afternoon (u know u aren't workin') reading about Head Coach Jack Clark and former Cal Rugby alum and American hero Mark Bingham.

You should come out for this Saturday's Scrum Axe match, to watch your Cal Bears lay MASSIVE hits on Stanfurd.

 4011374921_c77bc7cb69_o_medium

Anatomy of a Cal Rugby tackle.

Star-divide

 

The Cal Rugby roster features lads from NorCal, SoCal, NY, CT, NC, MI, TX, Seoul, S. Korea, Cape Town, South Africa, and Adelaide, Australia.  They haven't given up a try all season.  While they might be the best team-oriented program on campus, they are loaded with stars like 6'3"/200lb All-American Centre/Fullback Colin Hawley:

  4249600_medium

Stanford had a 6-0 fall preseason and gave Saint Mary's a stout challenge to open the spring Jan. 16 on the Farm, where the match was tied, 19-19, at halftime and the Gaels held on to win, 38-31. The following weekend, St. Mary's lost at home to UC Davis, while the Cardinal's match last Saturday at Chico State was cancelled due to severe weather.

Odd, isn't it, that Cal played Sac St last weekend while Stanfurd couldn't play in the rain?

105508-05

 This is a key match for your Golden Bears, as this is their last game before taking on U. of British Columbia on the 24th of Feb.  UBC's pack is a regular heavyweight in collegiate rugby.

2004_mfinal_four_navycal_scrum_closeup_sweat_dripping_medium_medium

Because this is always an issue...

Directions: Witter Rugby Field is located on Centennial Drive next to the Strawberry Canyon Recreation Area.

From San Francisco, Marin, Sacramento .....
Take I-80 to the University Ave. exit. Proceed east on University Ave. to the western edge of campus to Oxford St. Turn left at Oxford and go to Hearst Ave. Turn right and head up the hill on Hearst. Go all the way up to Gayley Rd and make a right turn on Gayley. Proceed past the Greek Theatre and at the stop sign turn left on Stadium Rim Way. Proceed up to the stop sign. (Memorial Stadium will be on your right). Witter Rugby Field is bordered to the north by Centennial Drive and the west by Stadium Rim Way, across the street from the northeast end of Memorial Stadium. For more Cal ticket information, please call 1-800 GO BEARS OR 510-642-3277.

So harvest your inner-Pain Train and make your way to Witter to root on true college athletes!  ROLL ON YOU BEARS!!!

The opinions expressed in a FanPost are, in every way, reflective of the opinions of every California Golden Blogs Marshawnthusiast. Moreover, they are reflective of every employee of SBNation, including Tyler "Blez" Bleszinski.

Comment 45 comments  |  6 recs  | 

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This guy's iconic in a William Hung sort of way.

He’d do great on that new reality show called “American Stare-Down.”

I'd like to smell the Roses before I die.

by BTown85 on Jan 30, 2010 6:56 AM PST up reply actions  

I wish I could attend the Scrum Axe match

Let’s take a trip down memory lane and remember Cal-Stanford 2001…oh nevermind, Furd forfeited.

“We take great umbrage,” said Cal rugby coach Jack Clark, in a written reply to [Stanford Coach] Boivert. “To suggest your forfeit is helpful to tradition, safety related, prudent or respectful is disingenuous . . . How dare you not compete.”

I love Coach Clark’s comments on the forfeiture.

“We carry the pride of Cal into that game,” Clark said. “I’m disappointed for (the players.)”

Boivert argues Cal has an insurmountable advantage over his own team.

“There is no parity between the programs,” the letter reads. It alleges that unlike most club teams, Cal “basically recruits the best players,” giving it a tremendous edge.

“Everybody would laugh at that, and would not take it seriously” the letter reads. “Well, this is exactly the situation in college rugby.”

A quick glance at the two teams, however, reveals the two have a striking amount of similarity.

While rugby does not have scholarships at either school, it enjoys symbolic varsity status at Cal, while the Stanford Web site touts the team’s $1,077,000 endowment that funds the salaries of 10 coaches (Cal has four) and trips to, most recently, Fiji and New Zealand.

It also says the team can help talented high school players gain admission to Stanford, something Cal can only do if players meet minimum UC eligibility requirements.

“That’s all about building a war chest of excuses,” Clark said of Boivert’s claims.

The letter states that Cal rugby’s varsity status is unfair to club teams. But except for the symbolic nature of the varsity demarcation, rugby at Cal is similar to most other club teams: salaries and travel expenses come from alumni support and extensive fundraising.

In his office filled with paraphernalia from Cal-Stanford contests that date back to 1908, Clark pointed out that the decision to forfeit came from Stanford’s players, putting Boivert in a difficult situation.

“You can’t force people to go out and contest what they don’t want to contest,” he said. “But this has to be about teaching people how to compete.”

The letter also requests that Stanford’s program play in the second division of the Pacific Coast region next year, even though the team was second in the nation just three years ago.

The argument for dropping down centers around UC Davis, one of the best teams in the league, as much as Cal.

“Our roster is nowhere as impressive as UC Davis’ current roster of three teams with very capable athletes,” the letter reads.

But on March 10, the same day Stanford decided to write the letter and request a change in division, it defeated Davis, 42-33.

“Cal has also offered to look at this game as a learning experience,” the letter read. “The Stanford players see no learning in being physically overrun and outmatched by a huge team, and views it more as a miserable afternoon.”

Clark said he offered to hold some of his best players out of the game in order to quell the Cardinal’s fear of injury, but Boivert said it would make no difference, citing Cal’s second team as “the second-best team in the nation.”

So, for now, the game will not be played for the first time in as long as anyone can remember.

“The attitude is ’let’s play in every sport we can win in, and if we can’t win, then let’s not play,” Clark said.

Whose domicile? OUR DOMICILE!

by Berkelium97 on Jan 29, 2010 3:51 PM PST reply actions  

I know…Stanfurd’ not bringing a B or a C squad (which would enable the typical double- and potentially triple-header)

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 29, 2010 4:03 PM PST up reply actions  

I could wrap my brain around the concept of

Stanfraid.

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 30, 2010 1:35 PM PST up reply actions  

Rec'd

For creativity demonstrated versus the rival opponent.

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 30, 2010 1:36 PM PST up reply actions  

haha…thanks

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 29, 2010 4:01 PM PST up reply actions  

NP.

Now this is a question I can answer: OUR SCRUM AXE!

by atomsareenough on Jan 29, 2010 4:10 PM PST up reply actions  

:)

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 29, 2010 5:26 PM PST up reply actions  

Hornets!
Odd, isn’t it, that Cal played Sac St last weekend while Stanfurd couldn’t play in the rain?

Sacramento State > Stanfurd!

Snobby Chick - Senior Division

by CalBear81 on Jan 29, 2010 4:37 PM PST reply actions   1 recs

Unequivocally this

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 29, 2010 5:22 PM PST up reply actions  

I’m pretty sure I’ll be there on Saturday before heading down to Haas to watch the women’s team take on ASU. A great day to be a Cal fan!

The #1 greatest threat to America: BEARS

by norcalnick on Jan 29, 2010 4:45 PM PST reply actions  

baby carp & I will be there provided a) the baby’s not going crazy and b) it’s not raining (mrs. carp’s orders)

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 29, 2010 5:31 PM PST up reply actions  

Thanks for the comments, recs, and front-page exposure! Go…………..BEARS!

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 29, 2010 9:19 PM PST reply actions  

Drumroll please.....And the final result is

99-0 Cal!

"It's going to be a long season" - Old Blues from 1868-present

by AVNevis on Jan 30, 2010 5:07 PM PST reply actions  

Indeed

http://www.calbears.com/sports/m-rugby/recaps/013010aaa.html

“Cal’s such a great program,” said Stanford head coach Chris O’Brien

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 30, 2010 5:45 PM PST up reply actions  

“Cal’s such a great program,” said Stanford head coach Chris O’Brien, a former assistant coach with the Bears.

by Yes We Cannon on Jan 30, 2010 7:18 PM PST up reply actions  

yeah, I cherry picked that. :)

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 30, 2010 7:23 PM PST up reply actions  

It’s great, though! He’s either bringing them down from the inside or doing his part to bring Stanfurd’s program up to par to keep the rivalry alive.

by Yes We Cannon on Jan 30, 2010 9:41 PM PST up reply actions  

With a Cal guy at the helm, at least we know they won’t forfeit again.

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Jan 31, 2010 5:06 AM PST up reply actions  

IT.WAS.SO.AWESOME! I got some great photos. Post coming soon.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jan 30, 2010 7:17 PM PST reply actions  

sweet…baby slept ’till 1:45 so it kept up out of the action :(

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Jan 30, 2010 7:23 PM PST up reply actions  

Football players at the rugby match

I was at the match with my 5 yr old son and his friend when a bunch of Cal Football players came and sat near us. Bryan Anger (P), Sam DeMartinis (OL), Georgio Tavecchio (PK), Mitchell Schwartz (OL) and Todd Huber (C – on medical scholarship). It was cool to see the guys supporting the rugby team. Go Bears!

by daveman on Jan 30, 2010 9:57 PM PST reply actions  

At the game, I also saw Shane Vereen, Isi Sofele, and others.

At the women’s basketball game, I saw Cameron Jordan.

On the walk up, on Telegraph, I saw Spencer Ladner, and others whose name I am blanking on.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Jan 30, 2010 10:02 PM PST up reply actions  

Who’s men’s room?

by Kai on Feb 1, 2010 1:10 AM PST up reply actions  

Spazzy IS Men’s room?

Undefeated in Southern California since Oct. 2009...

by CruzinBears on Feb 1, 2010 9:07 AM PST up reply actions  

We saw Bak Bak at the women’s game on Thursday!

CGB: Wasting Your Potential, Your Time, & Your Life Since 2006.

by BearStage on Jan 31, 2010 8:44 PM PST up reply actions  

No wonder Anger and Tavecchio were there ...

Some great kicking lessons were laid down by Keegan Englebrecht. Thirteen out of 14 conversions plus a penalty kick for the senior flyhalf! (Oh, lest we forget … a try as well!)

by Rugby Vet on Feb 1, 2010 7:22 AM PST up reply actions  

Yay, somebody who knows the rules torugby! Of course, this is going to be embarrassing when you read my upcoming post, Rugby Vet. The level of analysis is sub-kindergarten. At least, I’m honest eough to admit it. But perhaps you can help answer some of the questions in the post about the strategy. It should be up either today or tomorrow.

President Emperor Warlord Of The Sun!

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Feb 1, 2010 8:00 AM PST up reply actions  

No worries

About the grand strategy …

As I commented in today’s Daily Cal:

Coach Clark finally felt good enough about his side’s cohesion and technical skill to offer public praise in the press. And it was certainly deserved.
 
With UN-Reno’s relegation to Division II, the Bears have only five matches against their local union opponents this season. Stanford looked like it was shaping up to be competitive notching six preseason Ws and an achingly close loss to St Mary’s. The challenges ahead in NorCal play will be St. Mary’s Gaels and the up-and-coming UC-Davis Aggies.
 
Last season, the Bears were 129-17 against Sacramento State and Stanford (the only Division I NorCal sides played so far); this season, the point distribution is 180-0, which shows balanced improvement in the Stawberry Canyon crew.
 
Cal ruggers have their work cut out for them in the remaining local schedule, though. Last year, in action against Chico State, UC-Davis and St Mary’s, the points fell 201-8 in favor of Cal. That will be a tough record to improve upon.
 
St Mary’s was by far the toughest contest — at 20-5 — and is likely to be again. For that reason, the match against the Gaels is slated at the end of regular season play, just ahead of the second-of-two World Cup meetings with British Columbia. Clark clearly wants the Bears to peak in post-season championship play (while banking again on a ‘bye" in the Pacific Coast play-offs).
 
So far, Clark’s plans are succeeding.

by Rugby Vet on Feb 1, 2010 10:32 AM PST up reply actions  

A classic example of modern grand strategy is the decision of the Allies in World War II to concentrate on the defeat of Germany first. The decision, a joint agreement made after the attack on Pearl Harbor had drawn the US into the war, was a sensible one in that Germany was the most powerful member of the Axis, and directly threatened the continued existence of both the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union. Conversely, while Japan’s conquests garnered considerable public attention, they were mostly in colonial areas deemed less essential by planners and policymakers. The specifics of Allied military strategy in the Pacific War was therefore shaped by the lesser resources made available to the theatre commanders.

by Kai on Feb 1, 2010 11:48 AM PST up reply actions  

Wait, what?

Email: bearsnecessities@gmail.com

by Avinash Kunnath on Feb 1, 2010 7:34 PM PST up reply actions  

You have to build up armies on Kamchatka and Yakutsk if you want to stand any chance of invading Alaska.

Wait, what?

by sec119 on Feb 1, 2010 8:02 PM PST up reply actions  

Point of clarification from carp's original post

The Scrum Axe battle was Cal’s last home game before the UBC game on Feb. 24th. The Bears have a six match roadie coming up.

The Bears will embark on a six-match road trip next weekend when they travel to Chico State to continue local play. A midweek match at Cal Maritime follows before California travels to the Las Vegas Invitational, where the Bears will face Western Washington and San Diego State on Friday, Feb. 12, followed by Minnesota on Saturday, Feb. 13.

A local-play showdown at UC Davis on Saturday, Feb. 20, concludes the team’s itinerary before it returns home to host the University of British Columbia in the first meeting of the two-match series known as the “World Cup.”

I am a Vereenian.

by Ohio Bear on Feb 1, 2010 9:21 AM PST reply actions  

This

"We lose to Stanford in many sports, but if you want to make a Cal team quit, bring a weapon."
--Coach Clark

by carp on Feb 1, 2010 12:40 PM PST up reply actions  

Carp, do you know if the Mar 6th or Mar 13th TBA’s are going to be home matches? Or will they played elsewhere? I noticed they have no matches with New York Athletic Club this year, which is a shame. Any matches against a Superleague opponent was always a good one.

by suessbear on Feb 5, 2010 11:30 AM PST reply actions  

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