NCR D1, D1AA Semis Preview
NCR D1, D1AA Semis Preview
National Collegiate Rugby figures out two more finalists this weekend with their Men's D1 and D1AA semifinals.
All four semifinal games will be held at Penn State University Berks. Here's a look at who is playing and how they got there.
D1AA
Louisville vs Binghamton
Virginia Tech vs St. Joseph's
Some Surprises at NCR D1AA Quarterfinals
The most interesting participant in this group of four is probably Virginia Tech, which lost all of their conference games in the Rugby East, but all of their opponents were D1 or D1A level. Those games, said the team leadership, prepared them for the intensity of playoff rugby and they mounted a comeback to beat Tennessee in the quarterfinals.
Losing Games Honed Virginia Tech for Playoff Win
Tech will play a St. Joseph's team with an impressive defense and it will be to the Hawks' advantage to keep the score low (18 points in their game against UMass, 72 in Tech's win over the Vols). Physically tough and able to play a quick game, Tech will be difficult to contain.
Louisville's win over Bowling Green in the middle of the season was the real deal result, because they backed it up in the conference final. That tough conference schedule allowed them to shut down South Carolina in the quarters. While Binghamton did not win their conference, they have a tough forward pack and can score—hence the 54 points over JMU. With Will Ahern thundering through defenses for Binghamton, the Cardinals will have to work hard to defend. And if they do, out wide Alex Stabiner and Eli Cunniffe are dangerous runners.
Louisville's depth is very good and they close out games well. They have an enterprising back row that loves to steal ball.
D1
St. Bonaventure vs Brown
Queens vs Thomas More
St. Bonaventure is looking to win this a second time in a row and they certainly are capable of it. Bonnies held off a very good Indiana team by a try to get here, and have shown they can battle through tough games. Brown's scrum can cause teams problems and they play superb defense. They held a dynamic Wheeling side to a single try, and really that's their MO—a try, maybe just a penalty, maybe nothing, but they make offenses work.
Queens comes in as the #3 team out of the Rugby East, just barely behind Navy and Army (you could argue they're the #2 team because they ended up 6-1 as did Army, but Queens lost to Army). Regardless of all of that, the point is the Royals have enjoyed an excellent season where they score a lot and have a dynamic back row to make all of that happen.
Thomas More, meanwhile, is probably the best kicking team in the final four, with a forward pack that is big and strong. This is an intriguing matchup of teams that are still relatively new on the national scene, and both have won D2 championships in the last few years (TMU in 2021, Queens in 2019). Thomas More's heavy Argentinian connection has a strong effect on their game.
The winners of these semis will face off December 10 at Aveva Stadium in Houston.
