Select sides from Wisconsin, Iowa, and Minnesota assembled this past weekend in De Pere, Wisc. to play a series of matches to welcome back all-star 15s to the calendar.
In the end, Wisconsin came away winners, edging Minnesota's U19s in a thoroughly entertaining and tense encounter, winning the Badger Selects-Minnesota U17 tilt, and then beating Iowa's U19s 40-14 in a game that was much more competitive than the score might indicate.
Badger Selects vs Minnesota
This game started with both teams a shade disjointed, as you'd expect from lineups assembled only recently. But Minnesota's warmup game against Iowa a week ago certainly set them up to be a little more polished early on. Wisconsin, meanwhile, had some ball-retention issues, and to fix that, they started to make sure of their passes, but traded off aggressiveness. So, yes, they were stringing passes together, but they weren't going forward.
The Badger Selects second-row pairing of Troy Dietzler and Brandon Bonnett were a handful, however, and their power running set up their opening try. But Minnesota responded nicely, putting pressure on a clearance kick to keep the ball in the Badger half, and then after a few phases hooker Kenneth Braman just charged ahead, carrying tacklers with him as he ran 20 meters for the try under the posts.
Great try from Kenneth Braman for Minnesota Selects in a close and entertaining clash with Badger Selects. pic.twitter.com/pukVDnwTHq
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) July 18, 2022
The try was set up by a 9-to-forward switch move with scrumhalf Sam Weinhaus, and that was an effective play for Minnesota throughout the day.
With Wisconsin being static, Minnesota was able to score off defense; a tackle and then a quick poach from center Liam McVety allowed him to feed Weinhaus, and the Kutztown University commit took off for about 75 meters and another try for Minnesota. No. 8 Alex Baccoli then powered over for a 19-7 lead as halftime loomed.
Wisconsin started to run more aggressively after that with flyhalf James Rose sparking the attack. The Badger Selects got close and a high tackle near the tryline led to a penalty try, and a 19-14 halftime lead for Minnesota.
In the second half, the Badger Selects backs started to run with a bit more confidence, and Bonnett was hugely effective in traffic. The Badgers scored once up the middle through Bonnett and once on the wing with Alex Coniff putting in a really nice shift, and suddenly led 28-19.
A scampery try for Badger Selects in their close win over Minnesota. Nice finish. pic.twitter.com/l1pSfPEpyg
— Alex Goff (@goffrugbyreport) July 18, 2022
But Minnesota replied with their 9-to-forward switches and some quick ball and a huge run from McVety to get into scoring position. That set up another try for Baccoli and now it was 28-24. Back came Badger Selects and they scored again to make it a two-score game again at 33-24. Baccoli made it three with another well-taken try, but it wasn't quite enough.
Yes the Badger Selects won 33-31 but Minnesota was a solid team with plenty of talent. (Note: due to one end of the field abutting a baseball game with a game in progress, tries under the posts on both ends were given automatic seven points so as not to have a rugby ball land in the middle of the baseball game. Tries scored out wide did have conversions attempted.)
For Badger Selects, Rose emerged as a smart playmaker who adjusted nicely to the way the game was coming together and connected well with scrumhalf Aiden Miller. Bonnett was very impressive at second row, and his partner Dietzler was also. Jonah Goetsch showed pace and leadership.
For Minnesota, McVety seemed to be at the center of many of his side's good moments. Unselfish, he ended up setting up his teammates more than anything, and his run to the tryline, where he could have stretched for personal glory but instead retained the ball for Baccoli to score was typical of how he approach the game. Baccoli was indeed a talent and Weinhaus was active and kept the attack moving. Gage Curry at flanker and Braman at hooker put in a ton of work and prop Najee Davon Brown-Gray was a handful with ball in hand.
