Heading into week two of the AUS regular season, the Axewomen are 1-0 after a 58-12 win over UPEI. Ranked 10th in Sept. 12 Top 10 rankings, which are released by U SPORTS every Tuesday afternoon, the Axewomen headed into Halifax over the weekend for game two of the regular season against the winless Saint Mary’s Huskies.
For Acadia rugby coach Matthew Durant, the low-level ranking isn’t a big concern.
“Our conference has in explicably always received a low level of respect from if the other conferences despite the consistently high performance compared to other conferences,” Durant said. “We understand we are a top program in the country, and while #10 is very respectable in a league of nearly 30 teams, we see ourselves as a comparatively better team than #10.”
Instead, Durant chooses to keep his eye on the prize.
“It doesn't impact our goal, which is to win our next game, and keep building towards our appearance again at nationals, where we will compete for a medal,” he said.
The St. FX X-Women, who captured the AUS and U SPORTS championships last season are at the top of the Top 10 rankings in week one and Acadia will travel to StFX on Sept. 23.
WOMEN’S RUGBY U SPORTS Top 10 rankings as of Sept. 12
1. StFX X-Women
2. Laval Rouge et Or
3. Guelph Gryphons
4. Calgary Dinos
5. Ottawa Gee Gees
6. McMaster Mauraders
7. Queen’s Gaels
8. Concordia Stingers
9. Victoria Vikes
10. Acadia Axwomen