Wayne State Rugby teams gear up for the National Collegiate Rugby Final Four

WAYNE, Neb.-- Intensity.

That's what you get with Darrin Barner, who is the head coach of the men's and women's rugby teams at Wayne State.

Both the teams are gearing up for the National Collegiate Rugby Final Four.

The men will travel to Houston, Texas, and the women's team will head down to Nashville, Tennessee to compete for a Rugby National Championship.

"It's not a vacation. We have a job and that's our job to get down there and win. I guess in a little bit of away, a little bit of a relaxed feeling, it's kind of a bowl game atmosphere but I can trust ya. Um, it doesn't matter where it is in the united states, we are down there for one reason, and that's just to win," said Barner.

With the women's side having 12 national championships to their resume and the men's side on the rise, the mindset of both teams is similar.

"To be honest, the mindset between the team is to have fun. That's the most important thing. That's what coach always stresses to us all the time. Is to have fun. As long as we have fun, as long as we play like brothers, and play as we care for each other, then greatness will surely come our way," said Vuyo Mdlalose, who is a freshman on the men's team.

The women's team is just as confident.

"I think we are pretty confident in the work we have put in this season. So, we're excited to go down there and play some good teams and show people what we can really do," added Lauren Nelson, who is a senior for the women's team. 

Now for Coach Barner, the expectations before the season for both teams was to get back to the final four, and now, the final four awaits.

"Taking both to the final four, ya know, that's just an achievement to their fine work," added Barner.

On December 4th, the women's team will take on Northern Michigan University. The men will take on Western Oregon University on December 10th.