Wolves dominate, head to rugby 7s national finals

James Tiboni of Western Oregon breaks free against a Cal Maritime defender during a recent national qualifying match played at home. Jacob Smith is the other WOU player pictured. Photo by Lance Masterson.

There was no stopping the Western Oregon rugby 7s club team at a recent national qualifying tournament played at home.

Just ask the Owls of Oregon Tech, who fell to the Wolves, 36-5, in the finals.

The margin of victory was surprising, given that the two teams fought to a 19-19 tie in their first match played earlier that day. In that match it took a Wolves score and conversion kick in the waning seconds to break even.

But a different Wolves team took the field in the rematch, it seemed.

“We get stronger each match because we get more and more comfortable on the field,” Wolves captain Ryan Naugle said. “Our team plays best when we are relaxed and having fun. Sometimes we have to get out some nerves in the first match.”

With shaky nerves nowhere to be seen, the Wolves took control from the very beginning of the rematch.

“When we are rolling we have the ability to cause a lot of trouble for other teams,” Naugle said. “When we played (Oregon Tech) earlier … we had some plays that just didn’t go our way, which is part of the game.”

Western Oregon’s rugby 7s club team celebrated after qualifying for this month’s national tournament in Boyds, Maryland. The Wolves bested a field that included runner-up Oregon Tech, Cal Maritime, Cal Poly Humboldt and Gonzaga at the recent qualifier. Photo by Brandon Killen.

Slow starts had been common of late for the Wolves.

“OIT is a strong 7s team, but our cohesion on offense wasn’t where we needed it to be. That was evident in (the first) match,” Wolves coach Ben Barlow said. “This match set the tone. Everyone was there to fight, and we knew there wouldn’t be any easy games.”

There also wouldn’t be any losses for the hosts.

Following the tie, WOU blew past Cal Maritime (24-5), Cal Poly Humboldt (10-5), and Gonzaga (20-10) to go undefeated in round robin play and reach the finals.

The Wolves topped the leaderboard with 14 points. Runner-up Oregon Tech was at 10 points, Cal Maritime at eight points, and Humboldt and Gonzaga at six points each. Each win netted a team three points, and each tie two points, in the standings.

In dominating the field, the Wolves saved their best performances of the season for when it mattered most

“We’ve struggled in the past couple weeks to find our structure and cohesion. We’ve known the ability and potential was there, but the last couple results weren’t where we wanted them to be,” Barlow said. “This week we were finally able to come out as a unified front and remember what WOU rugby looks like….When we stick to our game, we can be a force to be reckoned with.”

Naugle agreed with his coach’s assessment.

“We have always had the athletes that it takes to be a great team. Now that we have figured out how to play together as one unit, we are going to get more dangerous for other teams,” he added. “Our team chemistry is getting better everyday. We are able to learn from our mistakes and grow as a group.”

Naugle also praised the coaching staff for putting players in the best position to win.

Owen Kracht and James Tiboni put the hurt on a Cal Maritime player. Also pictured for Western Oregon is Adi Ego (right). Photo by Lance Masterson.

The National 7s Collegiate Rugby Championships is Thursday-Friday, April 27-27, at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds.

Competition is divided into four divisions: Premier Cup, Division I, Division II and Small College.

The Wolves will compete with 15 other teams in the Small College division. Automatic bids are reserved for teams that win qualifying tournaments or conference championships. Two teams receive at-large bids.

Cal Maritime hosts a second national qualifier later this month in Vallejo, California. The Wolves had that match on their schedule, but instead will travel to Oregon State for a local tournament.

“Having already qualified, funds budgeted for the Cal Maritime trip can now be put toward the team’s budget for the trip to nationals,” said Andy Main, the university’s associate director of campus recreation.

The rugby 7s team receives enough funds from the university to cover most basic operating costs. These funds come from the incidental fee that most students pay as part of their tuition and fees each term, Main said.

“WOU students on the Incidental Fee Committee continue to allocate those basic operating funds, and that is tremendously helpful,” Main added. “For trips like these though, alternate funding is a necessity.” 

Estimates are it will cost $20,000 or more for airfare, ground transportation and lodging for 17 people, 15 players and two coaches.

“We try to provide players with at least one club-funded meal a day, but most of the meals fall to the players to pay for themselves as funds are limited,” Main said.

Financial support is available through other means, such as WOU rugby alumni, WOU Foundation and other campus partners, family members and the players themselves.