Rugby struggles in season-opening loss
By Michal Tellos
Sports Editor
September 10, 2008
It was a rough start to the season for the Lancers rugby team as they decisively lost their home opener to the Western Mustangs, 62-3.
Head Coach Andrew Ciavaglia stated that the team simply lacked intensity, made mistakes, and was out-performed as a result of them.
“Just basically we got out-rucked I guess you would say at the breakdown,” he said.
“Western was a little quicker than us at the breakdown, we turned over a lot of balls at the ruck, and they turned those mistakes into points,” he added.
In defense of his team, Ciavaglia explained that the team has been scrambling to regroup all summer, and the fact that every player went home was of little help.
“We were actually counting on Steve Piatek to return this year, and he got a pro contract in August and he left for France and that put a big change into our plans,” said Ciavaglia.
“So we’ve had to work different players that had come off injury into the mix at bigger positions,” he continued.
“Some players were supposed to come back, and some players graduated. Over the summer, the guys go home, as you know, and they basically play club rugby over the summer,” said the coach.
“I’ve tried to change our offence, but basically with new players you kind of have to regroup,” he added.
Some of the graduated or non-returning players include former OUA all-stars Andrew Ziricino, who was recognized twice as an all-star by the OUA, and Graham Haigh.
This offence that has to regroup has posed a particular challenge for Ciavaglia.
“The offence that we had at the end of last season that we were going to carry forward to this season, because of Steve not coming back, has undergone some changes, as in a different skill set,” he said.
“Steve was a big kicker, and we don’t really have that skill set right now,” he added.
However, the season is long from over, with, according to Ciavaglia, the most key games still to come.
“I think our target games are Laurier, U of T, and Waterloo, and Guelph. We have to target those games specifically and we have to get wins there to get in the playoffs,” he said.
To win in those games, Ciavaglia says lessons need to be learned from the loss to Western.
“We have to really pick up the intensity on the rucks. We’re going to work on that this week. Our winger-defence has to improve,” he said.
“Western did a lot of kick and pressure, and sometimes we were out of position, and we made mistakes, and we turned over the ball. So big thing this week is kick-return defence and rucking,” he added.
With the 190-pound Piatek gone at fullback, Ciavaglia has looked to other players to take up his leadership role, in hopes of making the playoffs this year, despite still lacking some rudimentary skill sets.
“Steve Young is our captain this year, and he’s just been really good, outstanding, as a team leader. He’s definitely been on the field. He’s greatly improved his game over the summer,” he said.
Young is a native Oil City, ON and stands 6’3 at the prop position. He is an intimidating figure at 285 pounds.
“Matt Bloch has really done well and shown some good leadership,” said Ciavaglia of the first-year centre.
The Lancers will play a key road game on Saturday, Sept. 13, against the Guelph Gryphons.
It will be the first of two meetings between the teams scheduled this season.
For a complete roster, results table and schedule of the rugby team, feel free to visit www.golancers.ca.
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