WESTWOOD — UCLA Men's Rugby opened a new chapter on Saturday, rallying in the final minutes to secure a thrilling 33–30 victory over Michigan in the Bruins' first-ever National Collegiate Rugby (NCR) competition.
In a contest that ebbed and flowed throughout the afternoon, UCLA found itself under immense pressure from a relentless Wolverines side. Michigan pushed the Bruins for the full 80 minutes, producing a hard-fought battle that ultimately came down to the final play.
With the clock winding down, the Bruins mounted one final attacking surge and crossed the line at full-time to complete the comeback and secure a dramatic 33–30 victory.
It was far from a perfect performance for UCLA, with plenty of rust evident in the Bruins' opening match of the season. But when the pressure mounted, the young Bruins showed the fight and resilience required to find a way to the finish.
Head coach Harry Bennett rewarded the hard work of his young squad throughout preseason, with 10 players on the 23 man roster making their UCLA debuts and 10 members of the starting lineup consisting of freshmen and sophomores. The inexperience showed at times, but so too did the promise, with several moments of quality rugby providing plenty for the Bruins to build on.
Credit must go to Coach Mentzer and the Michigan Wolverines for an outstanding effort and a hard-fought battle that pushed UCLA throughout the afternoon. Their pressure and relentlessness made for a fantastic spectacle and ensured the Bruins had to fight until the very last moment.
The matchup also provided a significant showcase for collegiate rugby. Two powerhouse college brands, separated by more than 2,000 miles, went toe-to-toe for 80 minutes in a premier collegiate rugby contest — exactly the type of spectacle that can help elevate the profile of the sport.
With the match broadcast live to an international audience of tens of thousands of high school rugby players, the occasion extended well beyond Westwood. Providing the next generation of players with exposure to high-level collegiate rugby and the opportunities available through the college game is an important part of growing the sport.
UCLA extends a huge thank you to SchoolSports.tv and the entire production crew for bringing the broadcast and partnership together and helping showcase college rugby to a global audience.
With the first match now in the books, the Bruins turn their attention back to the training pitch. There is plenty to sharpen up and plenty to build on before a demanding October slate, including the inaugural Scholars Cup fixtures against Brown, Notre Dame and Dartmouth.
The new era is underway. The Bruins found a way on Saturday. Now, the work continues.
