VANCOUVER – The UBC Thunderbird (8-2) rugby team has landed in Berkley, California and is preparing for the first leg of their annual Rugby's World Cup match-up against the Cal Golden Bears.
The match is the first in a home and home series to determine the winner of the trophy that has been handed out since 1921.
The Golden Bears and Thunderbirds meet at 2 p.m. Saturday, February 18, on Witter Rugby Field, where California aims to turn the tides after UBC dominated the two game series last year. The 'Birds handed the Bears a 20-15 loss last year in Berkley, then dismantled Cal in the re-match at Thunderbirds Stadium 50-3.
"They are a big and highly experienced team," says Cal head coach Jack Clark of the Thunderbirds.
Cal (11-0, 3-0 PAC) has won 10 of the last 15 "World Cup" series, named after the World Newspaper of Vancouver, Canada, where the trophy for the series was first awarded to the team with the better aggregate annual score in 1921. The conclusion to the 2017 series takes place Sunday, March 5, in Vancouver at Thunderbird Stadium.
- with files from Cal Golden Bears Athletics
