All in all, we’ve been able to cover the loss. We’re better than we were last year. The team chemistry is of a higher standard. The style that we’ve played this year has suited the skill sets of the players we have. They are more of a complete team overall than they’ve been the last year or two. That’s saying something because we’ve had some very good teams the last three or four years. – BYU men's rugby coach
PROVO — For those wondering how the BYU rugby team would fare after losing star Jonny Linehan to the football team, the short answer is: just fine, thank you.
The Cougars are ranked No. 1 in the nation, boast a perfect 22-0 record and they meet rival Cal, again, in the Penn Mutual Varsity Cup championship next Saturday at South Field in Provo.
Linehan punted for the BYU football team last season and decided not to play rugby this season in order to focus full-time on football.
But the Cougar rugby squad, which has won four consecutive national titles, is still rolling without him.
“We haven’t really missed a beat in a lot of ways,” said coach David Smyth, who added that Linehan played a key role in BYU's success the past three years. “All in all, we’ve been able to cover the loss. We’re better than we were last year. The team chemistry is of a higher standard. The style that we’ve played this year has suited the skill sets of the players we have. They are more of a complete team overall than they’ve been the last year or two. That’s saying something because we’ve had some very good teams the last three or four years.”
Several players have stepped up to fill the Linehan void, including Calvin Whiting, Jared Whippy and Zach Webber.
“Jared has mostly played the position that Jonny played. He’s done a phenomenal job,” Smyth said. “He’s a playmaker. He sees things before they happen. He’s got a very creative element to his game. Calvin’s done a good job kicking for goals.”
Whiting, a center from South Africa, said the team is more tight-knit than it was before.
“We trust each other. I’ve seen a lot of unique things this year, and trust is one of them. We all know our roles,” he said. “We’re all on the same page, and that helps. It helps with the unity. That’s one of the biggest reasons this team has been so successful. We execute what the coaches tell us to do. We don’t need just one player, even though Jonny was a crucial part of the team, to be successful. We have 45 players who are ready to play.”
BYU’s teamwork has been on display all season, and that was exemplified in a try during a 68-20 semifinal smashing of Arkansas State. Whippy, Kevin Schofield, Luke Mocke and Matt Jensen combined to score on a play that featured a highlight-worthy, one-handed, no-look, behind-the-back pass.
“We’re more unified,” said Jackson Kaka, a flanker from New Zealand. “We’re all good friends with each other and we hang out with each other after practice. That chemistry off the field shows on the field. Being positive helps and so does humility. It doesn’t matter how many national championships you’ve won. When you’re humble and you work hard, good things will happen.”
“We’re trying to have more fun. When you have fun you’re going to win,” said Alex Vorster, also a South Africa native. “There are a few players that have brought freshness to the team. We’re coachable. There’s a willingness to learn and improve every week and not settling for mediocrity. That’s helped us get to where we are.”
This year’s squad set the tone for the season early, Smyth said.
“The players themselves really took a high level of responsibility on their own shoulders, knowing that there are gaps to fill every year. Last August, they started meeting together as a team and they had activities off the field. They created a really positive environment early. That has stood us in good stead throughout the course of the season.”
The results speak for themselves. BYU has beaten rival Utah 49-12, walloped Arizona State 113-8 and downed Dartmouth in the quarterfinals 75-15.
Stability at the top is a major factor in the Cougars’ perennial success.
“Coach Smyth’s a really chill guy,” said Kaka, who has also played football at BYU. “The coaches in football are crazy and get in your face because if you don’t perform well, their career’s in jeopardy. Coach Smyth will talk to you softly. He won’t scream at you. He’s a really positive guy. He’s super-calm.”
Is Smyth surprised at all by his team’s domination this season?
“When you’ve had so many good boys for so long, there’s a certain level of expectation,” he said. “Every year, during the offseason, your mind wanders. There’s always that question about how good they’ll be. You always know there’s a certain level you can depend on. But that in itself is never enough to get you where you want to go. They’ve got to show up and perform. Am I totally surprised? No. Am I a little bit surprised? Yes. But you have to show up.”
EMAIL: jeffc@deseretnews.com