Although the Texas State Renegade Rugby Football Club just finished its fall 2017 season, it is starting early this spring to prepare the team for the next season.
This year, the RFC is hoping to head back to the top. After ending last season 3-1 and losing some players, the club is looking to move forward with a new set of recruits.
The RFC had a 3-1 record in conference for the fall 2016 season after defeating University of Houston twice and splitting wins with the University of North Texas. Out of conference, they tied with Arkansas’ A team and defeated Arkansas’ B team. Texas State rugby defeated The University of Texas at Dallas, followed by a couple of losses to The University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M University and Angelo State University. Angelo State won the conference championship last year.
During the fall 2017 season, the RFC ended on a 4-6 record, beating the University of Texas at Dallas, Stephen F. Austin University, IH-35 rival the University of Texas at San Antonio and the defending champions of Angelo State University. The Rugby club ended as last seed in the playoffs this year but is heading back again and is hoping to shock everyone with how the team comes out. Many players like Onassis Gyimah, Junior 8 man for the rugby team, believe they have a strong shot.
“We can play with anyone,” Gyimah said.
Over the past two years, the team members have come to trust each other.
Carpooling with one another, hanging out and pushing each other on and off of the field helps bond the team together. Taylor De La Mothe, senior fullback, enjoys the brotherhood they have.
“We might butt heads (with) each other,” De La Mothe said. “But it’s all out of love.”
Tane Jericevich, coach of the rugby team, has helped turn the club around upon his arrival. Since he has been here, the club has won the Southwest Conference.
Jericevich said the growth of this year’s team and the adversity they have overcome.
“We had a bit of a turnover (this year with a lot of our seniors graduating,” Jericevich said. “It’s been a development year for us, but we are in the playoffs.”
The rugby club has a lot of inexperienced players, but they have stepped up to the challenge this year.
Jericevich said the older team members have stepped in to help teach the younger players the game of rugby. He said they have worked really well to help lead and guide them.