HR cancels game against Kearns

Several weeks ago the Union scheduled a regular season mid week game between HR and Kearns. HR canceled the game saying they needed at least seven days between games to prepare for a tough team like Kearns. This is not Wimbledon or the World Series. If it's good enough for the other teams to follow the schedule then here is an item for the HR, how do we earn the respect of the other teams list.

This should be a forfeit and a loss for HR. Kearns is a great program with committed players, coaches and parents. They deserve more respect than to be dismissed by a made up 7 day preparation rule. I am sure they would prefer to play HR than take a win by default. The union should not have to bend the schedule around HR's extracurricular and traveling games during the regular season. Fall in line, follow the schedule and sow the seeds to respect.

Eleventh hour recruit

HR player / member ID # 447838 arrives in Utah on the 29th of April but CIPP registered on the 14th of April.

Update: Did not arrive in Utah because his mother is not well. I hope his mother recovers quickly.

HR record without the Kiwi Connection

239 wins to 149 losses / 8 National Championships. Maybe not Hollywood material but still a great team. No less of an environment for character building and the noble pursuits of all great teams. A more fertile environment because losing helps to set the plow deep and turn the soil of change and innovation.

United vs Highland at Rio Tinto Stadium on May 2nd

On May 2nd United plays Highland at the beautiful Rio Tinto Stadium for the State Championship. Kearns plays Davis. A great day for Utah rugby. Come out and watch four of the best teams in the country. Click here for tickets.

Unfortunately .................

Unfortunately our friends at HR are not responding to recent questions about the end of the season recruit from Australia and Uniteds offer to limit the import players to three on the field at any one time. I was hopeful that we were establishing a connection and mutually respectful line of communication with Jenny and Tim.

This is a good example of how, over the years, the inner circle at HR has done a very good job of keeping the details about their recruiting efforts and use of the Utah Public School system under the radar. Even keeping their own loyal supporters, like Jenny and Tim in the dark. Tim adamantly denies such activity so late in the season. It's not his fault, he is only passing on what he is told. Perhaps this news of these eleventh hour recruiting efforts, such as calls to Mr Harris in New Zealand, have caught Jenny and Tim off guard.

What is going on? My opinion. HR had six imports last year. Other Utah teams had zero. With the recent U-19 rule changes the field has been leveled. HR now needs to have more confidence in their local players. They are hard workers and good young men. Put your faith and confidence in them and they will surprise you. The days of the blow out scores are gone and you may lose a few games now and then, and that's ok.

Deep character transformation, Kia Kaha warrior type character, comes only by trail and tribulation or losing on occasion, not by winning every single game. It is only at these moments when a team discovers or exposes its weaknesses to itself. Then a plan can be crafted to mold those weaknesses into strengths. Growth and change without losing is a myth. Losing every time with honor and giving your best efforts is a victory and an indication of great courage and persistence. Is winning to much and to easily HR's refiners fire?

All of the other Utah teams have been in the heat of the refiners fire for years. Skyline, Kearns, United, Davis, Murray, Park City etc. They are now slowly emerging much the better, stronger, confident, united, focused and fearless.

United agrees to the limit of 3 import players on the field at any one time.

Will HR agree as well? This is a win win for every team, those with import players and those without. If a team wants to bring over five, six, seven or more players from other countries, they can do that. But only three on the field at any one time. A fair and equitable compromise for all.

Hello Tim & Jenny

Awaiting your reply to questions about the newest import player from Australia and the limit of 3 import players for the upcoming game at the Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City. Let's keep the dialog going.

Not all is fair game

There are issues related to the HR rugby program that I have chosen not to comment on in this blog, out of respect for families, children, specific individuals and their privacy. The HR inner circle are aware of one of the issues that I am referring to, which was reported in the local newspapers a few months ago. This kind of public forum is totally inappropriate to discuss personal and private challenges of this nature.

Congrats to Skyline Rugby

Highland 57...Skyline 5. A remarkable feat in light of past scores soaring into the 40's, 50's, 60's etc. It requires heaps of courage to step onto the field to play a team that beat you by 60 points the last time you played. Kudos to committed and passionate coaches, parents and players. Kia Kaha!! This was with no import players.

End of the season recruiting continues

Sorry Jenny, your sources at HR are not giving you the complete scoop. Your getting a small taste of we have put up with for many years.

The season is winding down, as in only TWO WEEKS remaining, and HR has just recruited another import player from Australia. Total is now 4 import players, maybe 5 or 6 by next week. HR asked their contacts in Hamilton to send two more players, but they were unable to oblige. So across the Tasman Sea they went to Australia. Highly unusual strategy so late in the season.

Unfortunately good intentioned people like Jenny continue to be used to spread misinformation. Jenny, I checked with United as I told you I would, and they will agree to the limit of no more than three import players on the field at any one time. Will HR do the same?????? We look forward to your response.

Unusual scoring celebration

In an effort to offer HR some ideas to help improve their cool, as in not very social, relationship with other teams, I offer the following for their consideration. The HR practice of a team huddle after every score and clapping while reciting "HR Rugby" is singularly unique in all of sports. Why? It is perceived as show boating, celebrating, not in good taste and unsportsmanlike. Imagine the reaction if a basketball or football team huddled after each score, clapped and said "go South High go" as they ran back to the other side of the field or court. It is a practice found no where in the rugby world or in any sport, for a reason.

Performing the Haka on the sidelines during a game or even after a game is inappropriate and disrespectful. Have you ever seen the All Blacks use the Haka in such a manner. No! If you are going to do the Haka then please use it appropriately.

Part of understanding the true meaning of "Kia Kaha" is that to be strong one has to be humble. Without humility there is no Kia Kaha.

HR still recruiting in NZ for this season?

My contact in New Zealand informs me that HR is still actively trying to recruit 2 more players from CCNZ or Hamilton , even though it is well into the season. Is this correct and why? Is three import players not enough?

A positive conversation

Jenny .......I will start by answering your question.

Remember I do not have any say in the policies of the United Rugby club. This blog contains my opinions and yes at times my brothers and I disagree. Also keep in mind that all the rules have now been changed for U-19 clubs, now allowing a max of 5 import players.

United has three import players this year. For almost one year I have been asking Highland to agree to the self imposed limit of two import players on the field at any one time. As you know this is not agreeable to HR. If HR agreed I believe United would follow suit.

HR may have 3,4,5 or 6 again this year. No one really knows because it has always been very secretive.

Lets assume that the import players are of equal or similar skill level. United has 3 HR has (?). Now the local players on both teams can compete on an almost level playing field.

Why don't we see if HR would agree to a limit of 3 import players on the field at anyone time. This would absolutely level the playing field for everyone. Is this fair? Can you expect any team to not have import players now that the rules have been changed and particularly after years of being soundly beaten by HR with their regular stable of amazing players from New Zealand.

Cast your bread upon the water

Cosmic forces, along with committed coaches parents and players have a way of leveling the playing field. Competitiveness has returned to Utah high school aged rugby and it is a positive note for everyone.

• HR beat Lowland a first year team by 40 points, yet Lowland scored three try's.
  
• United beat the HR B team 45-0.
• HR B was ranked the #2 team in the nation by a pre season poll.