Grizzlies Growl On in Argentina
Grizzlies Growl On in Argentina
The California Grizzlies tour of Argentina has been quite the success so far, with players from all over the state getting significant action and two impressive victories.
This week's 72-10 victory over Gimnasia Esgrima de Pergamino was perhaps a surprise in how emphatic it was.
Defensively the Grizzlies have come together nicely and shut out GEP in the first half. When GEP was able to score, guess what—the Grizzlies opened the floodgates.
Captain and prop Joe Marchant was a powerful presence up front, and the Saint Mary's front-rower was abetted nicely by prop Quinton Tindel of Cal Poly and No. 8 Jared Tavares from Grand Canyon. With the forwards making inroads and producing quick ball, scrumhalf Aiden Howe (Saint Mary's) was able to take advantage to feed his runners on the hop.
"We've been moving the ball quickly and playing our line breaks," said Head Coach Paul Keeler.
Keeler had praise for fullback JT Hackett (Saint Mary's) and Coby Baker (Cal Poly) and their ability to blast through the midfield with some smart and aggressive running lines.
Hooker Danny Bray, from UC Santa Barbara, "was a menace on the defensive and at the breakdowns, setting the tone and creating turnovers."
Many of these players have played together or against each other on repeated occasions. The respect and knowledge they have for each other is showing in their play.
The tour, which started with a 64-17 victory over Club Atlétivo Chascomús—Grizzlies U23s Impress in First Argentine Outing—will conclude on Friday with a game against Liceo Naval Rugby, the rugby team for the Argentina Naval Academy.
