The Northwest Collegiate Rugby Conference in DIAA could well decide most of its seeding this weekend.

Washington State plays Oregon in a game that’s crucial to both. And at the top of the standings, 4-1 Western Washington hosts 5-0 University of Washington in a game that should decide who is seeded #1 in the coming semifinals.

For WWU, this is a crucial game. They kind of went an eastern team to far in Early February, playing Eastern Washington and Gonzaga in successive days, and lost that second game 22-20. If not for that slip-up, the Vikings would be going into this game 5-0 and as good as clinched for a top two spot. Now they have to fight for it, aware that a loss to the Huskies and a WSU win would drop them to third with a tough Boise State team coming up.

“This is a big game,” said WWU Director of Rugby Paul Horne. “We realize that Huskies will prove to be a formidable opponent and one we will have to beat to win the NCRC.”

But, added Horne, his team is peaking.  

“We are playing our best rugby of the year going into this game,” he said. “We have made numerous adjustments after losing three starting forwards, including both props.The players have bought into the pattern and have done a good job of maintaining structure. The organization of our defense continues to be a strength.”

Nate Muir, Wiatt Vasay, and Zak Hower have been playing well up front and they provide range, mobility, and quickness to the breakdown.

If they can win ball, Nick Salimano, Nick Bonovich, Oliver Daugherty, and Noah Hanks are the skillful backs who can score the tries.

UW Head Coach Mike Alfstad agrees that this is a crucial fixture for his squad. 

“Western is our NCRC defending champion and they are playing like it,” Alfstad said. “I would agree it is a bit bigger for them with that loss to Gonzaga earlier so there is no doubt that they will be motivated to play their best. They are always well-coached so our lads understand that we will need to be equally as well-prepared mentally and physically, and that we will need to play a full 80 minutes of turned-on rugby.”

The winner will likely be the team that makes the fewest mistakes. Helping the Huskies along is the fact that they are relatively injury-free. But more than that, said Alfstad, the team chemistry is also healthy.

“This season has been one of our Huskies overcoming obstacles, coaching changes, and injuries for the lads,” said Alfstad - referring to the fact that he stepped in to replace Kevin Swiryn when Swiryn mounted a comeback for the USA 7s team. “So they have decided that all of it has been a reason to become closer, and deeply committed to success. It all is a really good reason to enjoy the opportunity to compete and go beyond the league season. To see a club having this much fun working this hard and being this focused is about as good as it gets for a coach; that and seeing the personal development the lads demonstrate as the season works its way to the end.”

A win will clinch the #1 seed for UW, while a win for WWU doesn’t quite clinch anything but goes a long way toward assuring a home semi. Oregon (3-2) at WSU (3-1-1) should decide one of the playoff spots, and if WSU wins the Cougars are still in a position to take a top-two place. And Boise State (2-2-1) hosting Western Oregon (0-6) could well ensure themselves a playoff spot, also.

If WSU and Boise State both win, they are in the playoffs for sure. If Oregon beats WSU, everything remains in doubt.