Saint Ignatius Rugby Wraps Up Argentina Tour

The Saint Ignatius High School Wildcats rugby team finished up their tour of Argentina with three games against Mar del Plata Rugby Club on April 4. All three games were very competitive, with the C side team losing 36-25 in a thriller, the B side being edged 22-15, and the A side losing 22-17. The entire program went 3-7 on the tour against three of the very strongest age-grade clubs in rugby-mad Argentina. But those games, with one or two exceptions, were all extremely close, as illustrated by the April 4 matchups. The Mar del Plata-based event proved to be an intense yet educational rugby fixture, with the hosts claiming a narrow 22-17 win over the Wildcats at their impressive home grounds under sunny skies and with a stiff breeze. At halftime, the Wildcats were just trailing with the scoreboard standing at 12-10. The teams showcased their unwavering drive throughout the game, ultimately seeing Mar del Plata clinch the victory with a 22-17 final score. St. Ignatius's Leo Ferance and Talin Blogna stood out with tries, while their teammate Jimmy Collins was, as usual, hugely valuable as a goalkicker, logging two conversions and a penalty kick, making his tally 16 points for the tour. Additionally, the Wildcats' tandem of Collins and Tommy Kilbain put up a spirited kicking game that provided an important tactical boost. Michael Krebs, who played a critical role at flanker, earned praise for his impactful contributions. Key moments in the game included a period during which St. Ignatius relentlessly pressured the Mar del Plata defense, only to be denied. In the aftermath, Mar del Plata capitalized with a pivotal score, allowing the home team to boost their lead to 22-10. The Wildcats pushed until the last whistle, managing to break through Mar del Plata's defense for a final try, ending the game at 22-17. Reflecting on the game, prop Davey Kotnik highlighted the lessons in speed on defense that both teams learned from the encounter, saying, "I think the skill of these teams really teaches us a lot, especially speed on defense." Meanwhile, Krebs looked toward the future, emphasizing the value of the experience for the Wildcats' development, "The challenge that these teams have given us, especially the toughness and the grit, will ultimately make us a better team for Nationals." Saint Ignatius Wildcats Head Coach Dan Arbeznik commended the resilience his team displayed in a challenging situation, saying the tour as a whole was an excellent learning experience in handling different tactics, different referee interpretations, and battling through adversity. With about a third of the touring roster, and most of them older, experienced players, out with injury or illness, those remaining players had to step up, and they did. The tournament abroad may have ended in a narrow defeat for the Wildcats, but it also served as a building block for their future competitions. Looking ahead, the Wildcats will regroup for their upcoming game. They are slated to face in-state rivals Archbishop Moeller at Brooklyn Memorial Stadium on April 13.