Harvard Rugby Preview

On the south banks of the Charles River, the men of Harvard’s Rugby Football Club (HRFC) practice twice daily in preparation for their upcoming season. Trying to build upon the success of last season’s Beanpot tournament win, the HRFC heads into its opening weekend to face the University of New Hampshire’s (UNH) squad this weekend in Allston.

Coaching Preview
Bob Karetsky returns for his third season as the team’s head coach. Karetsky, a former Yale University rower, has shifted A and B-side focus this season from fundamentals to fitness. With the majority of team member having been in his program for at least three seasons, he thought it necessary to make the sides fitter in order to face stronger opponents such as Dartmouth and Army later in the season. Karetsky will continue his role from the past season as lead coaching coordinator and rugby coach to those players new to the sport.
Under the new official title of A-side coach, Kent Curry wants to create a cohesive side that practices together often. His experience as a backs coach filters into his overall team game plan for this season, incorporating forwards more into the backline play.

The HRFC also added a new coach on the off-season. Australian Scott Lumby leads the B-side squad and is the new forwards coach. Karetsky expects his extensive rugby experience and savvy to be much value added to the team.

Forwards Preview
The A-side returns with six of eight starters from last season’s forward pack and replaces those players lost to graduation with A-side experienced team members. In pre-season training, the pack has focused on improving lineouts and open field mauling technique. Leading the pack, senior captain Blazej Kesy starts at lock for the team. His off-season training regimen shed 20 pounds off the Polish immigrant but maintained his strength for the necessary roughness in forward play.
Jean-Sebastien Cagniocle enters his fourth season as an A-side starter and is determined to continue his high level of play from last years that earned him the most valuable forward nod. He will still be caboose of the A-side scrum at the number eight position. Look for Cagniocle to push the ball in open play with his running ability and his boot.
Other notable starters for the pack include All-Ivy hooker Dave Garner and new flanker Patrick [Hawk]. Garner leads a formidable scrum that looks to build upon its strength from this past season. Expect to see many pushover tries and defensive wheels from this squad.

Backs Preview
The back line faces some hurdles entering this season with the loss of its three veteran members Tim Naylor, Kellan McNulty and Hayden Jacques. Led by senior captain Josh Copp, the new faced squad is poised to prove that it can live up to the name built by its predecessors.
Veteran junior Robbie Campbell starts the backline off as its fly half. The talented passer—and pass faker—will look to move the ball quickly to the speedy backs waiting on his outside. Expect also with this backlines speed to see many long kicks from Campbell.
The main additions responsible for this backline’s speed are fullback Ian Mallot and winger Ifedayo Kuye. Mallot played briefly on the A-side last season whereas Kuye is seeing A-side action for the first time. Expect some rookie mistakes from these two players but also look for something spectacular as the ball is moved to the outside.