A Date With Destiny

University of Oregon Rugby,

Since 1961, has established its standing among Pacific Northwest schools as a leader in cultivating top notch gentlemen and rugby players. The Rugby program takes pride in its play, always honoring the game of rugby, and never being one to boast. Wins have ebbed and flowed, but what remains a steadfast is Oregon’s reputation. Last season, Men’s Rugby took the League by storm, turning a page in the club's history books, and finishing as 2020 NCRC League Champions. They earned their first League title in years, defeating second place Western Washington University 31-3. After their win in March, the Ducks were scheduled to play at Stanford University, in April, with national championship implications. However, 2019 and 2020’s story book season had its story book ending ripped away. And without a chance to further prove Oregon’s legitimacy in a regional playoff berth and a distracting global pandemic, Oregon’s undefeated NCRC play in the spring of 2020 has been remembered as a one-off Cinderella story year.

Since then, the Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference (NCRC) has further complicated itself, with both Gonzaga and Idaho leaving outright. The rest of the conference is split between two governing bodies, as Washington State and Boise State will play under the NCR, and Western Washington, Washington, and Oregon under USA Rugby. Oregon State has opted for both memberships, at an expense, expanding their possible range of opponents to both affiliations. Goff Rugby Report, the go-to source for collegiate rugby news and rankings, has already written-off Oregon Rugby and the rest of the NCRC League, as a scheduling nightmare they have labeled a “microcosm of chaotic college rugby”.  

The Rugby Ducks have big shoes to fill this season, picking up play as reigning League Champions, all while celebrating the clubs’ 60th anniversary season. A National Championship run cut short has deeply instilled a sense of redemption in returning players, fueling the fire for an extended impromptu offseason. Players were able to scrap together small groups to condition and train, but strict guidelines kept activity and the number of players to a minimum. Oregon Rugby would also be eventually be cleared to practice in January of 2021, for all of three weeks, before stopping due to restrictions. Now, with fall approaching, the wheels are slowly starting to turn again.  

After leading the team to its signature NCRC Championship win in 2020, Oregon’s boisterous freshman class, now juniors, are poised to make another run at the league title. Entering their third year on campus, these players are now seasoned leaders and captains. They are supported by a strong senior class with a history of winning and a deep roster filled with young talent. Over the course of its dormant pandemic season, the program has quietly accumulated and developed its youngest class in another strong recruiting year. The program’s underclassmen will offer immediate impact and will fuel the team down the stretch. Oregon’s young team stands on the heads of giants, with a rich history, set by previous storied teams. This year, the Ducks have a date with destiny. 

Oregon’s high-flying offense, highlighted by their pace of play and stamina will have no trouble scoring points. This year’s forward pack will be daunting for the rest of the Pacific Northwest, with a physically imposing front five. Anchored in the scrum by Senior prop Chris Albrecht and Junior hooker Reed Vabrey, these two will provide effective ground game to the offense, both with high motors. The duo was extremely effective within the 10-meter line last year, both scoring on numerous occasions while also leading game-changing defensive stands.  

Oregon’s forwards will also be bolstered by two tall and well-built locks, Senior Aiden Kelly and Junior Warren Downie. The pair is reminiscent of Taylor Krumrei, a legendary Oregon Rugby alum, now playing with the MLR’s Seattle Seawolves. Each have worked extremely hard in every offseason, riding way under the radar, while developing high level ball skills and offensive talent. They will be a serious threat in open field, and will strengthen Oregon’s scrums tremendously. Nick Laughlin will be the man at the helm at 8-man, adding much needed experience and rugby IQ to the pack. His play on the wing during Oregon Rep Side games on the Pacific Northwest Cascade in New Orleans 10’s exhibited his precision and poise with the ball in his hands. His passing skills and strong intuition will enable Oregon’s back line to break the game open and rack up points. Flankers Skee Springman and Brendan Quinn will add the finishing touch to the pack, both with high-flying energy. They will be vital this season in fortifying the forward pack, giving much needed impact minutes and helping the speed of play. Oregon’s versatility, speed on defense, and the ability to spread the opposing team throughout the match will be headed by this duo. 

However, two main question marks remain in the forward pack, although not in skill. Larrenzzo Amos, with undoubtably one of the hardest work ethics on the team, is finally finding himself after a short stint training with Oregon Football. His elite speed and strength present a problem in finding a position, but a good problem for any coach nonetheless. Additionally, Coach Paté Tuisue will have his hands full deciding where to put Wes Walters, another standout during Rep Side 10s play in New Orleans. In just 12 touches, he put up 25 points on 5 tries. This all-around athlete was an energizing impact player for the Ducks last season, coming in and proving his defensive prowess and explosiveness from football most definitely translate to the rugby pitch. This year, there is no doubt Walters will be needed all 80 minutes of every game and be at the forefront of every attack. He can be slotted in the backline in the outside center position, where his innate talent for the ball his hands will blossom, or at flanker and even prop, where his ball hawking skills and powerful runs will be overpowered.  

Oregon’s backline is also very promising, with a strong mix of underclassman talent and upperclassmen experience. Michael Colucci will play fly-half, a position well suited to display his pinpoint passing, masterful kicking, and expert knowledge of the game. Colucci has taken up Head of Recruitment this offseason and has made a tremendous impact helping structure Oregon Rugby for the future. Despite taking a key role on the field and off, the young phenome will only be a sophomore this fall. He will also head social media, another position he is well equipped for with his charming, outgoing personality.  

One unexpected face this year will be Jaret Unti, proudly representing Castro Valley, California. After playing goalie in soccer for years at an elite level, he surprisingly settled into rugby in the fall of 2020, forgoing numerous college offers to pursue Division 2 and 3 soccer. He speed and passing has drastically improved in the short amount of time he has played, putting under the spotlight for a starting role. Unti will benefit the backline tremendously, with great ball skills and undeniable speed.  

Besides drawing in all the fans, fullback Logan Deitner will give Oregon’s backfield a strong safety net and reliable leg. In Oregon’s 2020 NCRC Championship run, the Aussie’s stellar play and control of the game placed him among the Fall Hot 100 and Spring D1AA Honor Roll on Goff Rugby Report. Logan, in his senior year, is deeply respected and looked up to as a role model for the younger guys. He will get the chance to cap off his amazing Oregon career as captain once again and contribute to the Executive Board as Treasurer this season. 

2021 will also signal the much-anticipated return of Portland’s own Luke Heinrich and California native Rhys Kennedy. These two will be the club’s bread and butter at inside and outside center. Henrich will again be pivotal to the Ducks offense, as he was in 2020 as a freshman standout. Kennedy will form his own brick wall on defense, and be the main source for Oregon’s gain-line advances. Heinrich’s silky-smooth ball-handling ability and physicality will complement Kennedy’s bone-chilling speed. Expect to see the ball put down past the try line by one of these two guys multiple times each game. Additionally, Ion Goulthrope will be dangerous at scrum-half, and offer the Ducks a peek into his marvelous French culture. Hailing from Paris, his foreign style, deceiving speed, and feel for the game have made him the undisputed emotional leader of the team and an International Man of Mystery on campus.  

Oregon’s freshman class of 2025 is again promising, with lots of experience being added to the team. Expect big minutes from Jackson Hullinger, Nick Saldana, Malcom Durfee, Kyle Pinkham, Miles Kraham, Liam Sicord, Wyatt Cushing, Austin Sandersfeld, and sophomore transfer Jonathan Carranza. 

The season opens October 23rd in Corvallis, Oregon, with an away game against Oregon State University. Oregon State has the advantage of getting games under their belt before the Ducks, along with a clear size advantage. This will test the Ducks composure under pressure and brand new offense.