Who's Up, Who's Down: Taufete’e Shines At Euro Challenge Cup

Who's Up, Who's Down: Taufete’e Shines At Euro Challenge Cup

A USA Eagles player posted a hat trick for his club team, while the Varsity Cup saw its run as a major postseason event all but extinguished.

Oct 17, 2017 by Alex Goff
Who's Up, Who's Down: Taufete’e Shines At Euro Challenge Cup

A USA Eagles player posted a hat trick for his club team in one of the most impressive performances of the weekend, while the Varsity Cup saw its run as a major postseason event all but extinguished.

Here's a look at who saw their stock rise and fall over the past week.

Who’s Up

Joe Taufete’e

The former Belmont Shore prop/hooker helped give new USA head coach Gary Gold a 30-20 victory over Brive this weekend while playing for the Worcester Warriors in the European Challenge Cup with three tries. All humble and everything, Taufete’e said they were team tries, but the Eagles’ big load of power had something to do with it, too.


Michigan State

The Spartans are 4-0 in the Big Ten, and yes, we know they have had en easier schedule. But no one, except Michigan State, expected a 4-0 start.

Tyson Lucas

This Arkansas freshman was a big player to watch in the Texas high school league last season and has picked up where he left off, helping the Razorbacks to a conference 7s title.

Western Washington

The Vikings are NCRC champions in 7s and are looking to run the table in the NCRC in 15s, too. 


Hanco Germishuys

Yeah, no kidding. From a red card that looks more ridiculous every time we see it to starting at No. 8 and scoring four tries for the USA Selects in the Americas Pacific Challenge, Germishuys, now with Austin Elite but a product of the Nebraska high school leagues, continues to be a star.


Who’s Down

Varsity Cup

It’s down, and it’s out. Cal declaring for the postseason and Dartmouth looking at D1AA playoffs didn’t kill it. Those two moves just showed us the truth. Why did the Varsity Cup die? Because it was based on TV and fan interest in the final. When that waned, it was in trouble.

Everyone Chasing Penn State

It seems like there’s some daylight near the top of the Rugby East, with Penn State a yard or two ahead of the rest. Kutztown might argue, but, no, it’s Penn State and then the rest.

What, That's Not Enough Who's Down?

How about the Eagles? And now do they only have two games in the fall and have to wait for their coach to show up? Well, maybe it'll be fine, but it's not ideal.