Coming off a two win season last year there is plenty to build on for Head Coach Curtis Lauzon and his squad.
Lauzon has done what he can to bring in a new brand of rugby to the Tommies, and he feels this season will see it all come together.
“The recruits brought in over the past two seasons are fast, athletic players who have great potential in the sport,” Lauzon says of his team. “The recruit that truly encompasses these qualities is first year player Oliver Larson.”
Larson, a product of St. Malachy’s High School in Saint John, led his high school team to a 4-3 record.
Lauzon will lean on a trio of returning players to lead the way for the Tommies.
“Our size and grit will come from the leaders of the group with Peter Woulds, Lyndon Pugh and Brad Sears all returning. If we are to succeed we will depend on contribution from a couple key players who played almost every minute last season; Ethan Gentes and D’Artagnan Mallet.”
With a well-rounded coaching staff featuring former players, the Tommies are looking ready to roll into the 2018-19 season.
One of those former players is Johnny Cullen, who had himself quite a career for the Tommies and has since carried that over into a large role with the Loyalists rugby squad in Fredericton. Cullen has been with the coaching staff since he graduated, but will be a little more hands on this year.
“I haven’t been able to be there as much over the past few years, but this year will be a bit different,” said Cullen. “We have quite a few returning players with Derek Bailey, Jonathan Ginnish, Ethan Gentes, keeping everyone in line and lighting a fire under their butts. We are going to be serious on the field and bring it each training day and each game.”
“The players we have and the players we have brought in have an eagerness to learn as much as possible during the season,” said Lauzon, “this allows our coaching staff to create a plan that will see the quality of rugby shown by the team to improve significantly throughout the season.”
The Tommies kick off their season at home against the UPEI Panthers on September 9th, 2:00 pm. Rugby and All-season passes are available at the J.B. O'Keefe Fitness Centre. For more information visit https://www.gotommies.ca/fan-zone/tickets.