Red River & Gold Cup Implications: Austin Blacks – Dallas Reds

February 12, 2016

Red River & Gold Cup Implications: Austin Blacks – Dallas Reds

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Logos: Rugby Gold Cup Championship & USA Club Rugby

Doug Coil

Saturday the Austin Blacks play the Dallas Reds. Both are among the best club sides in the united States. They met in last year’s Men’s Division 1 Club Semifinals and was won by the Austin Blacks. The match will  impact both the Red River Division 1 Rugby competition, as well as the Rugby Gold Cup.

The Rugby Gold Cup features the Austin Blacks 2015 runners-up in the USA Men’s Club Championship and Red River Division 1 Champion, the Dallas Reds, 2015 Red River second place and National Club Semifinalist, Midwest Club Rugby Champions the Kansas City Blues and runners-up Metropolis Rugby Club.

The Rugby Gold Cup is in its initial year of competition. It is a competition between the top two clubs from the Mid-West and the Red River Division 1 Club competitions. The League matches between the teams will also count toward Rugby Gold Cup standings.

On October 17, 2015 Kansas City Blues lost 13-33 to Metropolis. A return match on April 23rd has Metropolis hosting the Kansas City Blues.

On February 13th the Austin Blacks host the Dallas Reds and the return match is on April 30th.

The first weekend of Rugby Gold Cup matches were held in Kansas City on November 13 and 15, 2015. Results are as follows:

  • Metropolis 24-25  Dallas Reds (N13)
  • Kansas City Blues 26-30 Austin Blacks (N13)
  • Kansas City Blues 24-20 Dallas Reds (N15)
  • Metropolis 19-27 Austin Blacks (N15)

On March 11th and 13th the competition resumes in Texas

  •  Austin Blacks Kansas City Blues – M11
  • Dallas Reds Metropolis -M11
  • Austin Blacks Metropolis – M13
  • Dallas Reds Kansas City Blues – M13

At this point, the Austin Blacks are 2-0, Dallas Reds are 1-1, Kansas City Blues are 1-2, and Metropolis is 1-2 in Gold Cup standings.

Alex Solomon, USA Rugby, talked with the coaches mentioned in this article. The Gold Cup serves as a high performance opportunity for many USA Club rugby players.

Austin Blacks Head Coach Tane Jericevich who indicated that “the two victories in the Gold Cup meant a lot. We had a large number of players unavailable, but still managed to come away with the two wins. This showed the depth we have, which is very important with a longer season this year.”

Last May, the Austin Blacks and the Dallas Reds played each other  at San Francisco Golden Gate’s Treasure Island in the USA Rugby Club National playoffs. The Austin Blacks won a close Semifinal match 19-15  and then the Blacks lost 44-39 in the National Championship Final to the New York Athletic Club after having a 21-0 lead.

Dallas Reds coach Rhys Ball said “we have put last year’s loss behind us, and the boys are focused on this season.That being said, it is hard not to remember it.”

Jericevich reflected on the NYAC match and thought “it was a game that we believe we should’ve won and didn’t. Starting afresh in September, there was a real sense of putting things right and a more focused attitude, which has made for a real competitive and learning environment in training.”
Dallas players to watch, include backs Blake Boulton, Kelly Kolberg, and Rob McDermott and forwards, Jonny Heron and Dale Ross at locks, and blindside flanker Chad Joseph.
The Austin Blacks have added Eagle prop Chris Baumann to the side, but he will be unavailable as he plays this weekend for the Eagles against Canada. Brendan Rams deserves attention at Hooker. Backs Zac Mizell and Pat Sullivan are also threats. They played together for Arkansas State, the USA Collegiate All-Americans and now the Austin Blacks.
Two D1A Rugby matches will precede the senior club fixture. The University of Texas will play 17th-ranked Louisiana State University at 10 a.m. CT, followed by Texas A&M and Baylor at noon. The Blacks and Reds will collide at 2 p.m. CT. Teams are only 25 minutes from The Americas Rugby Championship match between the Eagles and Canada at Dell Diamond. Match times for both the College and Club matches reflect this, as many will be attending the Eagles match. Tickets for the Eagles – Canada match may still be obtained.
 

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North American Rugby News With A USA Slant