United graduating seniors (player IDs at end of article). Trish Griffee Photography
The 2020 High School Club National Invitational Tournament (NIT) would have showcased another great lineup of teams, including last year’s finalists: South Bay and United. Both had senior-heavy squads with USA U18 players, and a sizable commitment to elite college rugby programs. There was no guarantee that this rematch would have happened in May, but the potential for this showdown, among others, stirred up anticipation for this year’s event.
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“They had one bad game in three years,” United coach Colin Puriri said of the 2019 NIT final. “They’re all bound to have a bad day but there were a number of things that didn’t go right that day. I wasn’t there. The boys had their tournament start and I chose to go with the boys that day, which was maybe a mistake. And there were other things. The season ended and there were a lot of bad feelings; it didn’t sit right with them.”
But like all good teams, United used the 2019 runner-up finish to fuel a 2020 rebound, and the team was eager to prove itself.
“It was a little bit of a different feeling this year with the challenge and the goal to win a national championship. Losing the year before gives you a little extra incentive, and they were all excited for this year,” Puriri said. “Every group is special but just the number of really good players this year – this would have been a special team and the girls knew it.”
Puriri changed his role within the club as well. He explained that in years past, he’s taken a lead role with the boys and more of a back seat with the girls. But he reversed his roles this year to be more prominent within the girls’ team this season.
With so much experience in this year’s squad, a number of players could have led at any given moment, but Puriri pointed to Makena “Scrappy” Taumoepeau, Queenette “Pepe” Toomalatai and Lua Stowers as the captain trio.
“They would have rotated,” Puriri explained game-day leadership. “They have different styles but maybe I think one girl has been leading all week, and so she’s named captain on game day.
“Lua, she is very vocal, more than the other two,” the coach continued. “She’s a powerful No. 8 and was young – a sophomore – when she went to her first All-American camp and impressed them then. She’s been battling injuries the last couple of seasons and not playing at 100%.”
Stowers is going on her LDS mission after graduation but then intends to join BYU upon her return and join many United alumnae.
“Pepe is really smart. She’s the thinker. Life’s going to be really excited to get her in their program,” Puriri said of Toomalatai, who has played halfback for United and hooker for the All-Americans. “She’s got the brains and the vision, and has an excellent pass, left and right. She’s one of our distributors, and that’s also why she’s so good at 7s. They’re all exceptional players but she’s got something extra.
“Scrappy is the go-getter,” Puriri said of Taumoepeau. “She’s had that nickname since she was in ninth grade. It’s just the way she plays.”
Taumoepeau, who can feature in the loose forwards and centers, is heading to Lindenwood University along with Liz Tafuna and Salote “Sky” Iongi.
“Sky is like a wild card,” Puriri said. “She’s one of those players who will die on the rugby field before she admits that she doesn’t feel well or is injured. There’s been a couple games where I’ve had to literally force her off the field, and then as soon as she’s off, she collapses. She has a huge heart.
“Liz is a coach’s dream,” Puriri said of the USA U20 player (read more). “She’s powerful, and knows how to use her power, and has a little bit of speed. She has really good size and a distinctive running style, so she stands out. If anyone has a good chance of breaking into the Women’s Eagle 7s team, she’s the one.”
NIRA, the NCAA varsity league, is also inheriting a United player in Nafi Fitisemanu, who is heading to Harvard University, the current national champion.
“She’s scholastically strong and chose Harvard for the education,” Puriri said of the loose forward. “She started as an 8th grader and has always been a dynamic player. She’s got the smarts but she’s also the type of player who can run in the centers if we need someone in the backline. She’s more of a power runner but has decent speed. The sky’s the limit for her. Anything she wants to do – try to make the All-Americans or be an Eagle – she can do it.”
Shalia Rokobuludrau is also heading out-of-state to Colorado Mesa University in Grand Junction, Colo., where former United captain Princess Tafiti is currently playing.
“That’s half the reason she’s there,” Puriri said of Rokobuludrau’s connection with Tafiti. “Shalia is part Fijian, so she has some natural athleticism and rugby skills. She’s tall and built like Liz.”
Puriri intends to follow his players’ careers as they grow into the college sphere, and will likely see future BYU Cougars Camilla Huhem and Reina Lavulavu play in person.
“Camilla is a little dynamo,” the coach praised. “She’s one of those players who would have showed well at an All-American camp but never got an invite. She’s just dedicated and shows up to everything. She’s very committed to playing rugby.
“At nationals last year, Reina did her ACL or MCL and has been recovering all fall and winter,” Puriri continued. “She was excited to get back this season and play again, so when [Covid-19] happened, there was no one more disappointed than she was. She’s ending on an injury. She’s been to Chula Vista before and is going to BYU.”
Joslyn Arbuckle also injured herself last year and her plan was to be healthy for the 2020 NIT in Salt Lake City.
“She would have been a huge addition this year if she was healthy,” Puriri said. “She’s dynamic and someone who has played on our 7s teams and the Utah All-Star 7s team. She may go to school somewhere, maybe BYU.”
The senior class also includes Ainsley Statham, who is heading to Utah State; and newer players Morgan Tautu and Jada Weaver.
“We get a lot of interest and e-mails from different colleges, all types. When we’re traveling to tournaments, scouts are seeking them out,” Puriri said of recruitment activity. “We have another coach, Carson Mellott, who helps the girls with the recruiting and college options. Colleges will work through him in contacting the girls. The process has changed a lot for the girls. There has always been a bunch of recruiters interested in the boys but with the girls there’s as many if not more colleges seeking our players.
“Looking at a United girl, a recruiter or coach will know instantly that they’re getting someone with good knowledge of the game and understanding of strategies and systems,” Puriri said of player characteristics. “Then add in their exceptionally good skills. So maybe you have to put less work into her because they have more experience than some – not all – girls.”
The team had one opportunity to play together – an early-March match against Snow Canyon – before Covid-19 struck. The pandemic also canceled a tour to Hawaii, scheduled for two weeks after the shutdown, and a chance to play Kahuku and other teams. The virus canceled the NIT, and all rugby, through May, but there is some solace in the making.
Utah Youth Rugby created a summer 7s series for mid-June through July. Practices began last week, the boys’ circuit will begin this weekend, and the girls will follow the subsequent weekend.
“They’re all excited, and the majority of them plan on playing,” Puriri said. “We’re hoping the NAI happens in August, and the girls are hoping they’ll allow them to compete [in the Elite Division] so they can end their career together in that way.”
The NAI 7s will make the decision to go ahead or cancel the event on June 15.
The Class of 2020 is an impressive one, and Puriri anticipates some reloading as those influential players are replaced.
“We have talent; we just don’t have the same amount of talent,” Puriri said. “We had 13 seniors this year and of those seven have been to All-American camp. The majority have won two NITs. Next class coming up there’s probably one standout [Kiani Akina] that would match any of these other girls, so there may be a little drop-off. Still, there are girls that had been in the program since they were freshmen, so we’ll have some juniors who will be seniors and have been on the NIT team twice.”
Puriri and team will enjoy their final months together and then coach will turn his focus to the next generation of players, all while watching the alumnae achieve in college.
“The challenge for them now is to see which one can break into that USA Eagle squad, which is what I keep waiting for,” the coach closed.
UNITED CLASS OF ’20
(lead photo, L-R): Nafi Fitisemanu (Harvard), Makena Taumoepeau (Lindenwood), Queenette Toomalatai (Life), Liz Tafuna (Lindenwood), Jada Weaver, Lua Stowers (LDS Mission), Shalia Rokobuludrau (Colorado Mesa), Ainsley Statham (Utah State), Camilla Huhem (BYU).
Not pictured: Reina Lavulavu (BYU), Salote Iongi (Lindenwood), Morgan Tautu, Joslyn Arbuckle. (Trish Griffee Photography)