October 4, 2026​

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Phoenix, Ariz. — Arizona Rugby continued its preseason campaign with a strong second-half performance, pulling away from Grand Canyon University for a 43-14 victory and moving the Wildcats to 2-0 on the Fall season.

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Arizona wasted little time making an impact, moving the ball on the opening kickoff quickly into GCU territory. Wing Ethan Heim broke through the GCU defense before finding support from Fullback Jano Jansen van Vuuren. Lock Oliver Ryan continued the support line and finished the move for an early Arizona try.

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The Wildcats continued to create opportunities throughout the opening half, but some early mistakes kept GCU within striking distance. With a number of players seeing their first action of the season, Arizona showed both the potential and rust expected from a young group still building combinations. Heim would add another try in the corner before halftime, giving Arizona a 12-7 advantage at the break.

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Arizona continued to rotate heavily throughout the match, ultimately giving 26 different players valuable game minutes. The experience proved particularly important for a group that is still developing chemistry and competition for places ahead of the regular season.

 

The second half saw the Wildcats begin to establish control. Scrum half Jonny Rix and fly half Lance Barker used the kicking game effectively, repeatedly putting Grand Canyon under pressure and forcing the GCU defense to turn and defend from deep positions.

 

An Arizona maul midway through the half created an attacking platform for the backs, with Jansen van Vuuren taking advantage of the space and extending the Wildcats' lead. Rix would then find the try line as Arizona continued to build momentum and create separation.

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The final score of the afternoon was a fitting combination of the Wildcats' attacking threats, with Heim, Rix and Jansen van Vuuren connecting to put the finishing touches on a 43-14 Arizona victory.

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With another preseason match in the books, Arizona moves to 2-0 and will continue to use the coming weeks to develop combinations, test different players and build toward the regular season.

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“We ticked a lot of boxes today, mostly those around getting some combinations tested and working through some attack and defense pieces that we're building. I'm really proud of the effort and the way guys got better as the game went on. But we have work to do, and these weeks are important as we work towards what's next.”

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Up Next

Up Next

Arizona will have a bye next weekend before returning to action on Saturday, October 17, when the Wildcats host Western Washington and Arizona State at Sitton Field for their home opener.

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Arizona 43

Grand Canyon 14

Tries: Ryan, Heim, Treadwell, McKenna, Rix, Van Vuuren

Conversions: Barker 5/6

Penalties: Barker 1/1

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