From September 21–28, Bordeaux, France hosted the World University Rugby Invitational Tournament (WURIT). Six teams from select countries travelled to France to compete for the 2023 title. The tournament started in 2015 and has rolled out alongside the Rugby World Cup ever since.
UBC’s men’s rugby team was one of only two North American teams to compete.
Bordeaux took the win with 15 points overall, followed by Cape Town and New Zealand tied at 11. UBC finished the tournament last with 5 points. However, the team took it in stride.
UBC played 3 games in the tournament, all of which were played in 20 minute halves, opposed to the usual 40. They played hard against their host Bordeaux, but after some back and forth, the final score was 16–8 in favour of Bordeaux. Next up was New Zealand, where they lost 21–12 and their final game was played against Cape Town was also a loss, with a final score of 24–7.
UBC head coach Didier Banse said the team is walking away with many lessons from their opponents. According to him, although Canada has a rugby culture, the other countries in the tournament have stronger ones.
“These are nations that play rugby, ” he said.
Their competitors were not only steeped in experience, but had timing on their side as well.
“The teams that we were playing against, they were just coming off the end of their seasons,” Banse said. “[They’ve] been playing for the past two to three months.”
Fourth year player Jacob Bossi said the team’s training regimen works toward a “peak” at the right time. For the T-Birds, that time is the Canadian University Men’s Rugby Championship (CUMRC), where they will defend their two-time national title. CUMRC is set for November 15–19, almost a month and a half after WURIT, so it makes sense that the team had not yet reached their full potential.
Despite their losses, WURIT has been a turning point in the team's training.
“I think France kind of lit a fire under us, and it put us up to a next gear,” said Bossi. “I think that's what happens when you see that caliber [of play] and you're like, ‘This is what we have to measure ourselves to.’”
The trip was also a bonding opportunity for the team.
“When I came in my first year with UBC, the guys went to Japan and I thought ‘That seems like a really awesome opportunity,’” said Bossi. “And then to get that in my final year, it was really something special just to be with the team.”
Banse said although there was disappointment over the losses, the tournament was a learning opportunity for the 'Birds.
“There’s so many things that we’re taking away from it," said Banse. "I think it all comes down to our preparation. We can’t wait to dive in."