National Playoffs: Proud Blues Learn Some Lessons

The Kansas City Blues made their return to the USA Rugby D1 National Playoffs on May 22nd, the Club's first USA Rugby D1 National Championship tournament appearance since 2000 - the last year that Super League teams also competed in the D1 post-season.  The Blues had advanced to the Super League semi-finals in 2001 and the playoffs in 2002, before dropping out of the competition after the 2006 season and re-joining D1 in the Western Conference for the 2007-2008 season. 

2010's return to the Tourney marked a huge step in a long rebuilding process for the storied Club, and while the going was rough in Austin this time around, the boys certainly learned some valuable lessons on one of USA Rugby's biggest stages.  Facing a seasoned Olympic Club team out of San Farncisco on Saturday (undefeated in Northern California in 2009-2010) and familiar foe Aspen Gentlemen on Sunday (defending National Champions), there was no shortage of challenges on the weekend for the young Blues side.

Against Olympic Club on Saturday, the Blues drew a well-organized, tightly-knit opponent who brought the physicality upfront and dominated the set-pieces and breakdown for much of the match.  Weathering a storm of phased-posession work from the Northern Californians in the first 40, the Blues found themselves down 30-0 at the break with little having gone right for themselves.  In the 2nd half however, the Blues settled in and began doing some of the little things right while stepping up their own physicality to match that of Olympic's.  Despite the improved effort, things were mostly out of reach when Blues fullback Kevin Schwartze took a crash ball through the O-Club defense to score a try under the posts (Gallagher converted).  The final whistle sounded with Olympic on top 35-7, and the Blues having been beaten by sound decision making and strong execution from the experienced and talented O-Club.

On Sunday, the Blues drew conference rival Aspen in the consolation round.  Aspen had been defeated by an impressive Las Vegas Blackjack side on Saturday, and came into Sunday's game with a 2-0 record against the Blues this season. In a very physical opening half, Aspen raced out to a 12-0 lead before the Blues worked their way back behind a close-range try from Number 8 Keith Hessel, and an age-defying 50 meter breakaway by center Jay Allen.  Marty Cummings converted 1/2, tying the match 12-12 just before the half-time whistle.

In the second half the Blues made some lineup changes to stay fresh, but a determined Aspen side showed their poise and experience, pouncing on every opportunity to swing things in their favor behind relentless pressure.  Rewarded by 3 tries in a 15-minute lapse for the Blues, Aspen took a commanding lead late into the match before adding another late try to go up 37-12.  With no time on the clock however, the Blues were able to put one last phased attack together from within the 22-meter line and were successful in crossing for the final score as Captain Eric Munninghoff made it over to end the game in a 17-37 loss to the Gents.

While 0-2 is certainly not a measure of success for the Blues, playing tough in Austin was a step forward in reclaiming the Club’s reputation as one of the nation’s finest.  It’s been a long time since the Blues could say we were in the top four, eight or even 16 in any given division, having not reached the playoffs since ’02.  While we're proud of our tradition - charter member of the Super League, DI final four participants twice in the ’90s and a number of capped Eagles - it's clear the Blues are also building something new in Kansas City.

“A lot of guys have worked very hard over the last eight to 10 years to come up short,” said Blues coach Scott Adamson. “So the closer we get, the farther we go, the more focus they have, the more you can tell by the talk, the way they motivate the players around them. Some of these young kids have no idea that it is a big deal to be where we are, and the older guys are letting them know it is a big deal.”

The entire Blues organization - most notably the players, coaching staff, board members, and boosters - should all be very proud of the effort put forth in 2009-2010, and the things accomplished this past season.  It was certainly a big deal to get where we got.  Going forward, a strong foundation for success has been rebuilt, and expectations will only be higher for next season.

KC Blues 7 v Olympic Club 35
Tries: Schwartze
Conv: Gallagher 1/1
Pens: Gallagher 0/1

1. Afa Still (Steve Jackman @ 70)
2. Eric Munninghoff
3. Danny Capps (Colin McFarland @ 60)
4. JP Swanepoel (Bubba George @ 40)
5. Tony Vaka (Matt Wirken @ 60)
6. Keith Hessel
7. Matt Hoover (Ben Gorden @ 65)
8. Siva Tali
9. Maeli Fuimaono
10. Greg Gallagher (Caleb George @ 70)
11. Marty Cummings (Steve Sharkey @ 60)
12. Jay Allen
13. Dave Samples
14. Conner Smith
15. Kevin Schwartze 

Head Coach Scott Adamson

KC Blues 17 v Olympic Club 37
Tries: Hessel, Allen, Munninghoff
Conv: Cummings 1/2, Schwartze 0/1
Pens: Cummings 0/1

1. Afa Still (Steve Jackman @ 70)
2. Eric Munninghoff
3. Danny Capps (Colin McFarland @ 70)
4. JP Swanepoel (Matt Wirken @ 40)
5. Bubba George
6. Matt Hoover (Ben Gorden @ 65)
7. Connor McDonough 
8. Keith Hessel
9. Maeli Fuimaono (Tom Deitch @ 65)
10. Caleb George (Steve Sharkey @ 40)
11. Pete Kowalski
12. Jay Allen
13. Dave Samples
14. Hunter Ward (Conner Smith @ 50)
15. Marty Cummings (Kevin Schwartze @ 60)

Head Coach Scott Adamson