Entering the Rocky Mountain Challenge boys HS all-star tournament, the Minnesota team hasn’t had much time to get ready.

Their state championships were only last week. However, Head Coach Eric Salverda said the short turnaround, and the fact that he lost four players to injury, isn’t so bad considering he has a deep and fairly experienced team.

“We have a large returning group, with a solid backline and an experienced pack,” he told GoffRugbyReport.

The term “large returning group” can be taken two ways, as Minnesota expects to have some big forwards on the field this weekend in Colorado.

“Last year we went to the Potomac tournament and our pack was the largest there,” said Salverda. “And a lot of those players were young.”

With Edina dominating the state title races, the All-Star team is a chance for players from other programs to shine. Salverda said he always recruits from throughout the robes Minnesota Youth Rugby leagues.

“We have about six teams that provide most of the players,” he said. “But there are always players on teams that are struggling who have potential. This year we have seven or eight guys from lesser-ranked teams that are really good. And it’s really fun for them to have this opportunity.”

Nick Siemens of state runners up Minnetonka is one of the leading players on a Minnesota team that has seen Salverda switch some players around to get the best out of the athletes he has.

Minnesota is in a very tough pool with Texas and Oklahoma, and will likely need to win both of their games to advance to the cup semis.

Boys Varsity Rocky Mountain Challenge Schedule:
Saturday
10am
Wisconsin v New Mexico   
Minnesota v Texas
Colorado v Nebraska

1pm
Heart of America v Wisconsin
Oklahoma v Texas
Colorado v Utah

4pm
Heart of America v New Mexico
Minnesota v Oklahoma
Nebraska v Utah


Sunday
8am Consolation Match
9am Consolation Match
10am Semis
11am Consolation Match
1pm Consolation Matches, 3rd/4th Match
2pm Final