RUG Preview: UBC favoured in bid for four-peat

T-Birds top coaches poll, look to cement dynasty status

RUG Preview: UBC favoured in bid for four-peat
August 31, 2023

Coming off a third-straight conference championship, it's no surprise the UBC Thunderbirds have once again been named favourites this season.

The T-Birds, who claimed their third straight CW trophy with a 24-12 win over the Victoria Vikes in last year's final, have topped the 2023 pre-season coaches poll with four first-place votes.

UBC's run of three straight titles has matched recent three-peats by Calgary (2016-18) and Alberta (2012-14).

Adding another championship would solidify the T-Birds' status as a dynasty, and would mark the first four-peat since Lethbridge won six consecutive crowns from 2006-11.

Standing in their way, however, will be a determined Vikes side and a trio of scrappy foes from the prairies.

After falling just short in last year's conference final, Victoria finished second in this year's poll and will be hungry to topple their west coast rivals. The team is seeking its first CW title since 2015 and will look to build on last year's 3-1-1 record. 

Vikes head coach Brittany Waters says her experienced team will rely on speed, fitness and their ability to play a fast style of game. 

Out east, the three Alberta based teams will be keen to bring the CW Women's Rugby Trophy back to the prairies. Calgary finished third in the poll, followed by Lethbridge and Alberta.

Dinos head coach Simon Chi says his team is ready to contend with a strong core of returners, plus an exciting group of recruits he believes are capable of contributing right away.

The Dinos get their first taste of action this Friday with a Battle of Alberta clash against the Pandas in Edmonton.

West coast foes UBC and Victoria open their campaigns on Sept. 9 in a CW championship rematch. The Pronghorns also open their season that day, visiting Calgary.

Regular season action rolls on through Oct. 14 before the spotlight turns to southern Alberta for the Canada West playoffs, hosted by the University of Lethbridge. Semi-final action takes place Oct. 19, with bronze and gold medal games following on Oct. 22.

RUGBY 15s ON CANADA WEST TV

Select rugby 15s games will be available live and on demand this season on the new look Canada West TV – the official streaming home of the conference.

2023 CW RUGBY 15s PRESEASON COACHES POLL 

Team - Points (First-place votes)

  1. UBC Thunderbirds - 16 (4)
  2. Victoria Vikes - 13 (1)
  3. Calgary Dinos - 9 
  4. Lethbridge Pronghorns - 8
  5. Alberta Pandas - 4

 

1. UBC Thunderbirds 

  

From the coach: "I feel that we have a great balance of speed and power within the team, and I also feel that we have a good balance of senior student-athletes and new student-athletes." - Dean Murten

Key Performer: Savannah Bauder

The 2021 Canada West Player of the Year led the conference in most major statistical categories for the second year in a row in 2022. Bauder's nine tries, 22 converts and 89 points all matched or beat her totals from the year before. The fly half has helped UBC win Canada West gold in each of her three seasons as a Thunderbird, scoring three tries and two converts to lead the team to a 24-12 win over Victoria in last year's final.

2. Victoria Vikes

  

From the coach: "We are coming into this season with an overall experienced roster and able to build off of our previous years' success and learnings. Keys to our success this year will be our speed, fitness, organization, and ability to play a fast paced game." - Brittany Waters

Key Performer: Carissa Norsten

The 2022 Canada West & U SPORTS Rookie of the Year Carissa Norsten returns to the Vikes' lineup for the 2023 season. Coming off a year full of young members of the Vikes' squad, Norsten will help solidify a more experienced UVic team on the field in search of the program's next Canada West title.

3. Calgary Dinos

  

From the coach: "The Dinos are looking to rebound from an uncharacteristically volatile season. With a strong core of returning senior athletes, the Dinos have added an exciting group of recruits from across Western Canada that are capable of contributing right away. The key will be to put together consistent performances in a very competitive CanWest Conference." - Simon Chi

Key Performer: Ashlynn Smith

Ashlynn Smith is one of the key returners for the Dinos this season. The fourth-year Lock spent part of her summer training with Team Canada, as she was one of four U SPORTS players to earn an invite to the pre-tournament camp of 40 players the PAC4 Series. She will be an important player for Calgary this season.

4. Lethbridge Pronghorns

  

Key Performer: Jada Holtkamp

Jada Holtkamp is a catalyst in attack for the University of Lethbridge Pronghorns. Holtkamp is a stalwart on defense and a talented leader on the team. Holtkamp's leadership is driven by consistency, athleticism and a high rugby IQ.

5. Alberta Golden Bears 

  

From the coach: "The key to Pandas Rugby success this season will be "experience," having seven fifth year players in their starting lineup" - Matthew Parrish

Key Performer: Shelby Pierce

The Pandas only conference all-star in each of the last two 15's seasons, expectations are high for fourth-year Shelby Pierce. The fourth-year Sturgeon County native led the Pandas with two trys last fall, before adding five more in 7's play in the winter. Arguably the most talented and experienced Pandas team in a decade, Pierce will be the anchor for a team with lofty goals in 2023.
 
 
 *Correction notice: A previous version of this article incorrectly referred to Alberta as having the most recent championship four-peat. Indeed the most recent string of at least four titles was Lethbridge, who won six titles from 2006-11. The story has been updated with correct information.