Colorado State University’s Men’s Rugby Club has announced a player camp in conjunction with the Canterbury Rugby Football Union (CRFU) of New Zealand.

The camp will involve CRFU coach Tabai Matson running the camp at CSU on the weekend of September 19-21. Matson is the current backs and assistant coach with the Canterbury Crusaders Super 15 team. The camp will expose players and coaches to a professional level of rugby preparation, from the perspective of a professional player and coach.

Matson joined the Crusaders coaching team in 2013 fresh from a season as head coach of the Canterbury ITM Cup team. He led Canterbury to its fifth successive national provincial title. A former All Black and Canterbury center, he has played all over the world.

This is an exciting opportunity for young players to be exposed to a professional coach from one of the top rugby programs in the world.

During the camp Matson will work directly with participant coaches to examine the philosophy and mindset coaches and players need in order to compete at a professional level. Players and coaches attending the camp will get to interact with the Crusaders coach in an intimate setting. Attendees will learn about what it takes to reach the caliber of such professionals as Daniel Carter and Richie McCaw - players currently coached by Matson.

Coaches attending the camp will work in conjunction with Matson to implement the Crusaders philosophy and technique—essentially helping to run the camp under his professional instruction and leadership.


This first camp will be held on September 19-21 at the Colorado State University campus in Fort Collins, Colo. As a part of the camp, attendees will get access to all necessary facilities at CSU including meeting rooms, dining halls, and accommodations.

The camp will have 50 spots available - 40 will be for men's players of all ages, and 10 will be for coaches. More information about the camp is on the CSU Rugby www.ramrugby.com, as well as application forms.

The cost to attend the camp will be $350 for players and coaches which will include room and board at CSU, food and a kit (provided by camp sponsors Canterbury North America). Some transportation for out-of-state attendees will be provided.