As teams started sloughing away after a round of 32 in the USA Rugby men’s division I championship series, the quality, talent and toughness of the teams improved.
So by the time the Glendale Raptors face off with Boston Irish Wolfhounds on Saturday at Infinity Park in the semifinals, the little differences amplify. All things being equal, what separates the Raptors from the Wolfhounds?
“They bring a different style of rugby, that’s for sure,” Glendale number 8 forward Mike Kenyon said Thursday. Speed vs. toughness. Skill vs. gut shots.
The Raptors earned a spot in the semifinals by relying on fitness, playing defensive rugby to start, then flying outside with speed on the attack. It earned them a 28-8 trouncing last week of Belmont Shore, last year’s runner-up, at the Olympic Training Center in Chula Vista, Calif.
In facing Boston, the Raptors will see their opposites.
“They like to crash the ball inside more with bigger guys,” Kenyon said. “We try to swing the ball wide and move at a faster pace. If we can learn their style before they learn our motive in the game, we can win.”
The Wolfhounds carry the reputation of being hard- bitten.
“Boston Irish has the strongest scrum in America, or so they say,” Kenyon said. “They’ll have some big, tough boys we’ll go against. It’s quality rugby in Boston.”
For Glendale, the D-I semis — which also include Olympic Club of San Francisco going against Palmer of Davenport, Iowa — offer more than a shot at a trophy.
The Raptors want to join the USA Rugby Super League, the top club circuit in America. But they need to prove themselves worthy of inclusion. Glendale in April made a statement with a 30-19 victory over the Super League’s Denver Barbarians, although the teams have traded recent results.
“We’re pushing ourselves to get to the next level,” Kenyon said. “We want to get our name out there to get a look at the Super League. That’s one of our goals, to be one of the premier rugby clubs in America.”
Glendale on Saturday will be led by fly-half Ata Malifa, a former USA Eagles national team member. Head prop Pat Carroll, the captain, and hooker Shae Tamati, a former New Zealand All-Black national team player, also give the Raptors some marquee faces.
The Raptors go against Boston at 6:30 p.m. The first game starts at 4:30 p.m. The winners meet in Sunday’s title game at 4 p.m., with a consolation game at 2:30.
USA Rugby Division I Championship
At Infinity Park in Glendale
Saturday’s semifinals
Olympic Club (San Francisco) vs. Palmer (Davenport, Iowa), 4:30 p.m.
Glendale Raptors vs. Boston Irish Wolfhounds, 6:30 p.m.
Sunday
Consolation game, 2:30 p.m.
Championship, 4 p.m.
AROUND TOWN
Union meeting in Colorado.
In just its second season, the Philadelphia Union is wasting no time in proving itself among the elite teams in Major League Soccer. The Union is atop the Eastern Conference at 6-3-2 and is one of only three teams that have won more than half their games.
But under coach Peter Nowak, the Union has never won consecutive road games. After a 6-2 rout of Toronto in Canada last Saturday, Philadelphia can meet the feat Saturday at 7 p.m. in Commerce City against the Rapids.
But Colorado has just one loss in six home games this season. The Rapids are a tough draw at DSG Park.
“They have a very good team,” Union midfielder Justin Mapp, right, said this week of the Rapids. “Obviously, they showed that last year and so far this year. They have a bunch of hardworking guys. It’s just never an easy place to play. Never has been.”
STAY ON THE COUCH
Another national spotlight.
The Rockies, on a crucial West Coast divisional swing this week and next, get the national TV treatment again Saturday against San Francisco.
And Colorado fans can rest easy. Literally.
Instead of another 8 p.m. first pitch, Colorado’s game on Fox (KDVR-31) at San Francisco will be in the afternoon. The Rockies and Giants play at 2:10 p.m., with pitchers Jhoulys Chacin (5-4, 3.33 ERA) going against San Francisco’s Madison Bumgarner (2-6, 3.66).
The Rockies last week played on Fox’s regional telecast, and it proved a positive experience. They beat St. Louis 15-4 behind rookie Juan Nicasio’s strong debut.
Colorado has some distance to make up in its season series with the Giants. San Francisco has won five of eight heading into tonight’s first game of the weekend series.
GET OFF THE COUCH
Cyclists roll at Castle Rock.
The reason riders call the Elephant Rock Cycling Festival the unofficial start to Colorado’s biking season is because the Castle Rock races offer something for everyone.
It’s an actual buffet bar of races. Wanna tour? No problem. Ride the Elephant Rock 100-miler. Wanna sprint, or take a casual ride? Do it. Find the Elephant Rock 7-miler.
There are five different distances for racers. And that doesn’t include the 24 Hours of ERock relay race, also going this weekend (tonight and Saturday).
The Elephant Rock rides start Sunday at 5 a.m. For information, check .
WHAT WE’D LIKE TO SEE
Blast in the Backyard.
Playgrounds are supposed to be safety-tested. But most playgrounds aren’t 60,000 square feet. And the pro skateboard, BMX and motocross stars flying around a parking lot in Broomfield on Saturday sure could crack a head open.
Find skateboarding icon Rob Dyrdek, BMXer Corey Bohan and motocross up-and-comer Wes Agee — among dozens of other X Games vets and underground street favorites — at Saturday’s Journeys Backyard BBQ near the Flatirons Mall.
They will whip around the course for demos, stunts and general showing off. YouTube moments will be had. Saturday’s shows go from noon to 7 p.m. Check for info.
