The defending champion Florida Juice boys team returns to the Mid-Atlantic Regional All-Star Tournament (or Regional Cup Tournament) this coming weekend with a strong 2015 team.

Coach Chris Oosthuizen said the team may well be stronger this year.

“We identified last year that one of the things we should do better this year is start our skills development earlier in the year, so we worked with [HS All American Coach] Salty Thompson to set up EIRA skills camps. We had one in the fall, which was an open camp, no fees, and then another in January.”

Using the EIRA syllabus Florida Youth Rugby and Oosthuizen is working toward being an EIRA satellite program, and the coach is adamant that earlier player identification and skill development has been a boost to the Juice program.

“We needed to find our all-stars quicker, and develop them earlier,” said Oosthuizen.

Hence a North-South all-star game early in the season, and then a series of camps and tryouts. The first tryout camp had 125 players attend. Eventually that was whittled down to 40 players for Varsity and 40 for JV, and then down to 30, and finally the 24 for each team that will make the trip to Pittsburgh.

That group has been in Lakeland, Fla., at the Detroit Tigers training facility, working on game pattern and team-building. The program has provided three scholarships for players who can’t afford to participate, but, as is true for many select sides, money remains an issue.

“Some have to stay home because of finances,” said Oosthuizen. “Some have summer football. One kid got red-carded.”

But the Juice will have a very strong team nonetheless. Up front Joe Fezza (Jupiter) is a beat among beats at prop.

“He is technically very good - sound fundamentals - and his work rate is phenomenal,” said Oosthuizen. “When he goes into a ruck, he moves people.”

He partners with JC Rojas, the tighthead prop out of Orlando. Anchoring an effective back row is flanker Christian Cannavo (Daytona Beach), who played in South Africa as well as Florida, and is a workhorse. Also there is Kendrick Williams, also out of Daytona, a tall, athletic No. 8/lock type who brings the team much needed height in a powerful package.

The Juice had lots of talent to choose from at scrumhalf and in the end moved Cape Pirates flyhalf Rock Roper to what the coaches felt was his more natural position in the #9 jersey. A smart leader and communication, he is also a strong goalkicker. Miami’s Anthony Bustos is an outstanding passer.

But perhaps the biggest depth in talent for Florida is out wide. Fullback Justin Smith out of Orlando is another strong goalkicker and a player who can win games with his counter-attacking. He’s got some big bodies to work with on the wing and in the midfield, including Regan Upshaw, a 230-pound “Jonah Lomu-type,” as Oosthuizen describes him. A raw talent, Upshaw is the son of former NFLer Regan Upshaw, Sr. With a head of steam he will be a handful, and he’s not the only big, powerful runner in the squad.

So some raw athletes and some polished veterans for a Florida program that wants to show last year wasn’t a one-off. That’s why it has all come down to the preparation.