Season Opener in Atlanta

Kicking off our 2020 season on the road

By Utah Warriors Rugby

February 10^th, 2020

"The secret of getting ahead is getting started."– Mark Twain

You want to kick-off every season on a high note, a win, a win to set the wheels in motion. Those are the aspirations. We prepared for the game away from home, laying down the plan, working out the kinks and try to anticipate for the unknown. The only thing standing our way will be ourselves. Everything we've prepared for came to a head in Atlanta for us. We prepare, we plan, we reload and execute.

BRING IT IN BEFORE WE KICK-OFF

We set foot in Atlanta the day before and commence to get settled in. The routine clearly outlined by our itinerary. We leave the Salt Lake valley in the early morning and arrive in the afternoon. The spirits are high with the team, there is a sense of high energy largely brought about by what's happen the next day. No regrets, we're here in Atlanta to kick-off 2020 in season in Major League Rugby.

A detailed look at the roster reveals a 23 man combination that wants to build toward success. A roster that spans nations that have a history with this game. A forward pack hungry to get their first hit out and a backline itching for a chance to work the ball down the 70 meter stretch of turf that is Lupo Field at Life University. Thirteen new faces combined with eight returning veterans all, here to under take a mission together. A coaching staff with ties to the great state of Utah and others looking to give back to the game. A melting pot of different facets of rugby engulfed by a brotherhood of community, family, tradition and respect. Only good can come from this.

Sunday couldn't arrive any sooner, our day began at 9am, we fuel, 10am we activate, and strap up, refuel and meet at noon and then it's off to the pitch.

The weather let up and made for a great day of rugby. We make our way to the field to sync up, work out the kinks and go through our game plan. Forwards and backs all in focus, coaches watch and guide intently.

GAME TIME!

There's no more time for preparation, it's time to execute. The best part about game time is seeing everything come together. There is no substitution for being on the field with 15 of your brothers to execute a season strategy for the first time. This is where we figure things out, regardless of the outcome there will be lessons learned, there will be aha moments this is where our season begins.

The whistle blows, we receive and it's game on!

It's not everyday you get to do this, it's not everyday you get to kit up for the 4 stripes for the first time in the first game of the season. We anticipate everything headed our way. We take it on and own every bit of it.

LEAD 8-16 AT HALFTIME

Signs of promise at halftime. The lead is a glimpse of hope of what we can accomplish cohesively. Maintaining that lead is habit we must break.

SEASON KICK-OFF WITH LESSONS LEARNED

The ideal season kick-off did not manifest itself. We take the loss on the road with a tough second half. Our opponents capitalized on our blind spots walking away with a 28-19 victory. This is the game we play, we work to expose our opponents and try to hold to our systems. In the end the team that executes their system better wins. This day did not turn out to be ours. We take this one on the chin and move forward.

Next Match, Saturday Feb 15th in Las Vegas

Game 2 for us will be on the road again, but this time around in Las Vegas at Sam Boyd Stadium. Matches will be broadcasted locally in Utah on KUTV, streamed nationally on KSL.com and Deseret News and available internationally on Major League Rugby's Facebook Live stream.