Men's Premier Cup Preview

The winner of 15th Collegiate Rugby Championship will be crowned Saturday in Boyds, MD after winning five-straight matches over two days.

Defending champion Wheeling (17-1-1) enters as the top overall seed, with 2024 Mark Dombroski Award (MVP) winner Shadreck Mandaza back for another campaign. The Cardinals have never lost their opening match at the CRC and are looking to move to 5-0, all-time, in the round of 32. 

Kutztown, 2024 runners-up to Wheeling, is a No. 1 seed for the fourth year in a row. Led by Aidan Smith and 2023 Dombroski Award winner Chris Cleland, the Golden Bears are seeking their second title in four years. 

Fueled by the prolific playmaking pair of Koen Webb and Takudzwa Musingwini, Iowa Central is the only team to hand Wheeling a loss this spring. The Tritons are looking to improve on their best-ever CRC performance last spring, ending with a semifinal loss to Kutztown. 

After winning back-to-back titles in 2011 and 2012, it took Dartmouth 10 years to return to the final four, falling to Kutztown in the 2022 championship match. For the first time ever, the Big Green enter the CRC as a No. 1 seed, having made the final of every tournament they played this spring, winning the Stag 7s.

Players to Watch

American International College has two to keep an eye on, which will be a tall task, as Filimone Manu and Kahunu Koi are both livewires. Manu is an All-American, and Koi is capped in Premier Rugby 7s. If they’re going well, the Yellowjackets are tough to beat. 

Parker Wall headlines a trio of legacy Hoosiers who are following in the footsteps of their notable older brothers by representing IU at the CRC. Like big bro Peyton, a capped Eagle brother, Parker is a load in contact. Matthew Chevalier (brother is Eagle Will) and Tommy Hannon (brother Brian) are also ballers.     

Everett Boyd and HIlton Olivier are outstanding talents for the Royals. Boyd is the blistering finisher, and Olivier orchestrates the attack from halfback. 

Cinderella Candidate

The Clemson Tigers can beat anyone on a good day, evidenced by wins over Indiana and Queens this spring, as well as a two-point loss to 1-seed Kutztown. But they’re capable of playing down, too. If coach Troy Hall can get them playing up to potential, Clemson is a dark horse to make the program’s first semifinal appearance.