The 2021-22 season for our men’s rugby team was a tough one for first year head coach, Matt Coffey. Coffey and his staff brought in a roster ready to compete in the Atlantic schedule with UNB and UPEI, but some key injuries left the Tommies with a short bench for the bulk of the season.

New additions Hudson Barnaby and Chris Durrell were contributors from day, adding much needed size and power to the Tommies, while a host of other fresh faces were also key cogs for the team.

Do it all fly half, Oliver Larson, was once again a crafty playmaker for the Tommies, distributing the ball well and using his creativity to build scoring drives and always being counted on for clutch tackles. Longtime big man, Justyn Roberts, will also be missed, as his rugby IQ and physicality were always counted on by his teammates and coaches. Nigel Cornelius, who came to the Tommies in 2018-19, quickly became the glue that held the team together, someone who could always be counted on to be a leader. Joining those three in the graduating Tommies list is first year Tommies, Chandler Gard.

The ’21-22 Tommies can be described as having a never quit attitude, always fighting to the final whistle, showcased by a second half surge in their first match against UNB, where they outscored the eventual champions, 26-20 in the second half.

Coffey and his staff will now turn to an offseason of training and recruiting to make a run at the 2022-23 championship.