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DNVR Rugby Podcast: Conversations With Robbie Petzer and Zac Pauga

July 17, 2020

Colton Strickler starts the show with ‘The Breakdown’ by talking about the latest news with Kanaloa Hawaii and the weekly Super Rugby update. After that, he jumps into a conversation with former Raptor Robbie Petzer about where he will play his rugby in 2021, some of his favorite memories with the Raptors, and whether or not he will come back to Major League Rugby. After checking in with Robbie, Colton chats with former Raptor Zac Pauga about his rugby career, his time in the NFL, and how he transitioned into a career in MMA. Following the interviews, Colton closes the show with some ‘Required Reading’, some comments ‘From the Bleachers’ and gives you an update on some RugbyTown 7s content in ‘The Loop.’

Robbie Petzer joined the Colorado Raptors ahead of the 2019 season and was one of the most productive players on the pitch during his two seasons in Major League Rugby.

Zac Pauga was a key member of the Raptors teams that wreaked havoc in the Pacific Rugby Premiership. After helping the team to an appearance in the 2014 PRP Championship, Pauga and the Raptors won back-to-back PRP titles in 2015 and 2016. During his time with the Raptors, Pauga also was a member of the Denver Stampede that won the only championship in the history of the defunct Professional Rugby Organization in 2016.

Prior to playing professional rugby, Pauga was picked up by the Houston Texans as an undrafted free agent ahead of the 2011 season after a productive football career at Colorado State that spanned from 2006 to 2010.

GLENDALE, CO – MAY 14: Zac Pauga carries the ball in a match between the Glendale Raptors and San Francisco Golden Gate Rhinos in the PRP Grand Final at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado on May 14, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell)

Following his rugby career, Pauga has picked up MMA. He is currently ranked as the third-best amateur heavyweight in the western United States and the top-ranked amateur heavyweight in Colorado ahead of his bout with Zac Cavender as a part of LFA 87 in Sioux Falls, South Dakota on July 31. The fight will be streamed on UFC Fight Pass.

GLENDALE, CO – MAY 14: Justin Pauga (left) and Zac Pauga (right) pose with the trophy after the Pacific rugby Premiership championship. Glendale Raptors vs San Francisco Golden Gate Rhinos in the PRP Grand Final at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colorado on May 14, 2016. (Photo by Seth McConnell)

Please send in any questions you have about rugby in Colorado, Major League Rugby, or American rugby as a whole to @DNVR_Rugby and @coltonstrickler on Twitter.

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