You or your parents might know someone who plays or played Rugby.  Usually your dad has a friend who played Rugby back in what I’ll call the “old days”. 

 You may have even heard some of the stories, how they used to play and then go out for beer after the match and then maybe a bunch of other stuff that I shouldn’t write about.

 It’s called the “old days” because by the mid 80’s, the International Rugby Board (IRB) made changes to the laws of Rugby and USA Rugby adopted those laws.  Up until this point, a Rugby match was enjoyed by those who knew the game. 

An example; a Ruck by Rugby definitions is when the ball carrier is tackled and brought to the ground and a team-mate of that ball carrier comes in to make contact with the defender who is on his feet.

Prior to the mid 80’s to get the ball out of the Ruck and into the hands of the Backs, would sometimes take maybe 3 minutes or longer.  The Rugby Referee had no choice but to walk around the Ruck to make sure the forwards weren’t punching each other.  Which happened and when caught, that player was given a harsh warning.

I’m sure if you talk with some of these Old Boys as they are often called and ask them what the game was like then.  They’d tell you it was great, it was player v. player (man or woman).  It separated the men from the boys and much more. 

Today, if a Ruck is formed and the Referee can see the ball, he’ll bark out orders for the defending side to get back and leave the ball alone, therefore giving the attacking side (offense) more opportunities to get the ball out and run with it. 

 What this accomplished was the ball could now be seen by the spectators.  This also meant that more ball would be available for the backs and other members of the team to run and score. 

 Therefore the spectator who knows nothing about the game would see the ball in the hands of a team attacking and trying to score.

Today teams still go out together and enjoy each others company after a hard fought match.  The college game, the social usually consists of hamburgers, pizza and soda and a lot of talk about how the game was and who got the best of whom.

    Rugby is a game of finesse, athleticism, camaraderie, sportsmanship, speed, heart and intelligence.  Rugby was and is a game for people with a slight radical view to life.  They want to be a part of a group that’s different from other sports and that’s what Rugby accomplishes, men and women playing this great game against other men and women.

    It’s a competitive sport that requires commitment to: 1. learning the game.  2. Being fit enough to play.  3.  Being there for your team-mates for practice or a game. 

  
    I have two players, one whose been with me for the past 3 ½ years, his name is Nate.  The other is new to the game, his name is Mark.  The other day Mark came to me and wanted to quit playing Rugby.  His reasons were he didn’t think he was learning the game fast enough and thought he was a liability to this team.  I told him that he was coming along just fine, Rugby isn’t a game that you learn in a week or a month or even a year.  Give it time and absorb every opportunity you get at practice or in the game. 

    I then called Nate over and told Mark, Nate’s story.  When Nate first came out to play Rugby for SMU, he had no clue what he was doing.  He couldn’t tell the difference between a goal line or a touch line.  But with practice and watching games on television, plus gaining confidence in his skills, listening and learning what to do.  He is now a leader of the team both on and off the field.  After that conversation with Mark and Nate, I’m convinced Mark is going to continue to play Rugby for SMU. 

    Both lads, and their team-mates that play for SMU as well as men and women who play for other colleges and universities across the U.S. all play Rugby for the same and yet, different reasons.  They have a sense of belonging to a unique group because of the physical nature of the game, the fun (and bonding) that brings them together.