The Most Brutal Sport in the World? Rugby League makes a splash in SoCal

The Most Brutal Sport in the world comes to SoCal?  An interview with the OC Outlaws

written by Vincent McLeod IV


Rugby league is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field.  One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated as a split from the Rugby Football Union in England in 1895 over the issue of payments to players.  Its rules were then gradually changed in order to produce a more entertaining game that would appeal to spectators.  A game that is closer resembling to American Football then Rugby Union, it has been cited numerous times as the most brutal sport for 80 minutes of play.  Any game that has 13 beasts colliding at full speed with no pads in the hopes of scoring countless tries (touchdowns only this once folks) is a sport we can cite as truly insane and heroic.  SCRN caught with the President and Chairman of the OC Outlwas RLFC, Mr. Fred Lewis, to get his take on Rugby League in SoCal and the future prospects to the spectator friendly game.

Interview with President/Chairman Fred Lewis:

SCRN:  How well has your club been received in the area of SoCal Rugby?

FL:  One of the main reasons that we selected Orange County as the club base was that the OC is a fantastic beach community that supports its business & sporting associates.  The entire Orange County Outlaws Board has worked very hard and in a very short time is establishing ourselves as the leading Developmental Rugby League Club on the West Coast.  We are very pleased with the feedback and support that we have received from the Orange County Community...and with that we are extremely excited about commencing a marketing plan for the end of 2011 that will propel us into the 2012 campaign in the USARL.

SCRN:  What needs to happen for Rugby League to take-off and succeed (like it has in Hawaii and the East Coast) in the SoCal Area? Are there any major hurdles you foresee currently?

FL:  Rugby League has been played in the US for roughly 14 years and the majority of the clubs were established on the East Coast.  The (USARL-AMNRL) constituents and  identities involved in establishing this new sport did and continue to do an amazing job in establishing the level of play and expansion of this great game of Rugby League. Thus, we and all the clubs involved in this RL expansion on the West Coast have a tremendous amount of work ahead of us to mirror what has been done on the East Coast.  Hawaii to their credit has worked some magic in developing so quickly.  We would be remiss if we didn't follow the module of successful clubs both on and off the pitch such as the newly crowned USARL Champs, Philadelphia Fight and the Jacksonville Axemen. The expansion of Rugby League in the US is a Win-Win for all parties!  The major hurdles at this point are more associated with the business components of operating a club such as corporate sponsorship and funding to assist subsidizing operational cost.  The key is to create a product that potential sponsors and partners believe in and see as a viable marketing vehicle for their brand.  We have been fortunate to have established a partnership with the UK based RLC National Club, Nottingham Outlaws, called "Outlaws Unite" which has been highly received and provides both clubs/players/personnel shared global opportunities via the game of rugby league.  In addition, we have an alliance with the Western Sydney Outlaws of the New South Wales Physical Disability Rugby League Association, further illustrating that this great game does not discriminate and is played and enjoyed by all.

SCRN:  Concerning recruitment, very few players in the past have made a success switch from Union to League and vice versa. The Chris Ashton's of the world are unique. With a base of 80 clubs and right under 4,000 players registered in the SoCal area for Rugby Union, do you feel pulling from this base is your ideal recruit?

FL:  The recruitment of players is quite an unique blend of as you alluded to your core of Rugby Union Players, ex-pats or students(UK/Australia) living/working in Southern California, and your development players or Cross-Over Athletes transitioning from other football codes and sports.  The bottom line for the Outlaws is that we want athletes that are excited about learning rugby league with the main objective being to develop them into solid rugby league players.  One of my goals when I created this club was to do all I can to facilitate playing opportunities for Select- US-born players abroad in the UK, Australia and New Zealand.

SCRN:  How do you convince an American Football player that Rugby League is really the most brutal sport in the world currently? Do these cross-over athletes play a big part in your team?

FL:  answer in previous question but to add to this.....Yes, the Cross-Over Athletes will play a significant part in OC Outlaws Squad...     We want athletes whom want to challenge themselves to Rugby League...as some describe as "The Toughest 80 Minutes in Sports"

SCRN:  Why Rugby League over Union?

FL:  Personally, I enjoy and have played both codes overseas.  There was an opportunity to start a team from scratch and the challenge of establishing rugby league on the West Coast was very appealing.  Rugby League is probably from a learning and spectators point of view an easier game to pick-up and understand vs. Rugby Union where there are many more rules and interpretations.

SCRN:  Do you have a venue established yet for home games? Is a practice schedule ready for release?

FL:  We are discussing training/home field options with a few venues within  Newport Beach-Costa Mesa, Orange County.  The venue and training schedule will be released in the very near future.








SCRN:  What is your vision for the OC Outlaws? Will the LA Raiders be your major cross town rivalry?

FL:  The vision for the OC Outlaws...Rugby League is a tremendous sport ready to assume its place in the American sporting arena.  Through the medium of education and increased visibility, the OC Outlaws and the USARL intend to promote Rugby League at all levels. We invite you to share in our vision of developing this game throughout our community.  OC Outlaws will provide Rugby League players on the West Coast, the opportunity to compete through the highly competitive, Rugby League in the USARL.  The OC Outlaws are dedicated to the development, promotion and expansion of professional Rugby League in the United States. As part of the global expansion of Rugby League, it is our aim to present to the American sports fan and even more specifically, the Southern California sports fan, this exciting action sport.

Regarding the LA Raiders...We at this point see the LA Raiders as partners in this quest to establish Rugby League on the West Coast...both clubs need to work together to gain traction in the sporting landscape as we develop others clubs on the West Coast.  The close proximity of the clubs makes for a natural rivalry which is good for the game…yet to me a rivalry is based on a history and we have to first establish our existence to commence this rivalry...but we do look forward to the Local Derby...against our Cross-Town Rivals...


Notes on Rugby League:

The American National Rugby League (AMNRL) is a rugby league football competition for semi-professional clubs in the United States. It is the country's first domestic rugby league competition. The AMNRL is recognized as the governing body for the sport in the United States by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), and oversees the United States national rugby league team.  The competition that became the AMNRL was established in 1997, with six teams competing in the first season the following year. It grew to eleven by 2010, with future plans for westward expansion. On January 12, 2011, seven teams announced they were departing the AMNRL to form the new USA Rugby League.

The USA Rugby League (USARL) is a semi-professional rugby league football competition based in the United States. The league was founded in 2011 by clubs that had broken with the established American National Rugby League (AMNRL), plus expansion franchises. The USARL began its inaugural season in 2011.

Queen Elizabeth & the Spanish Armada: An Interview with Kirstin Hartos
written by Vincent McLeod IV

Queen Elizabeth of England (7 September 1533 – 24 March 1603) ruled during the so-called "Golden Age" of the British Isles. She was not just an excellent female leader, she was ruler of all English subjects and one of the most highlighted rulers in British & European history. In SoCal Women's Rugby, there is argueably not a bigger name circulating then Kirstin Hartos. Griffins All-selection, numerous honors and awards and still contributing to the reign that is San Diego Surfers Women's Rugby; the Spanish Armada. As a SoCal Rugby supporter and general supporter of the game outside of the region, Women's Rugby is rarely given even a quarter of the coverage that the Men's game recieves today. Sadly, to this dismay, quality talent in the game far too often goes missed through our Rugby brains. SCRN sits down with Kirstin Hartos to ask some in-depth Rugby questions about her personal growth and development in the game and to see if the Spanish Armada can in fact get a Championship this season in the WPL!

          

SCRN:   First off, congrats on the dominance that San Diego Surfers Women's Rugby Club is bringing to the USAR Women's scene.  D1 Champs back to back in 2009 and 2010......what are the "obvious" plans for this season?  Does SDSW look just as strong as in the past seasons? What seperates SDSW from other Women's clubs?

KH:   We have been improving every season since Richie Walker took over Head Coaching responsibilities in 2007. That first season with him, we narrowly edged out Belmont Shore for the SCRFU Championship and our first trip to Nationals, where we finished in the bottom four. We improved our finish in 2008, and continued that trend finishing an undefeated 2009 season with our first Division I National Championship, and we were lucky enough to repeat in 2010. From there, we got promoted to the Women’s Premier League and will be competing in our first season there this fall.

Our team continues to get more competitive each season, which is a reflection of the quality of coaching and our collective mentality that we can’t be comfortable with where we are – we have to keep striving to improve. Our younger players are continuing to develop, and we’ve had an influx of experienced players join the team this fall – so we will have even more competition for starting positions this season. And that is a really good thing for us because it will push us all to work harder and improve.

I think rugby players in general are a unique breed. But what I think sets the Surfers apart from other ‘premier’ women’s clubs is that we have always been an underdog, and we are used to having to prove ourselves. We’re heading into the WPL as the 8^th seed (out of 8 teams), and we’re going to have to fight for everything. But coming from SoCal, we’re used to that. We are not a team of individual stars with all kinds of accolades and capped players that we rely on to win. Sure we have stand out players (and I could name a handful), but I think what truly makes us different is that we are a great team together. We respect each other, play for each other, and have fun playing together. Of course we want to win and be successful, but we are determined to have fun doing it.

SCRN:   You are a UCSD alumni. Been playing Rugby for over 8 years. What did the playing expereince at UCSD (however much) do for your game development?

KH:   I started playing rugby in 2001 during my freshman year at UC-San Diego. We had a new coach that season, and about 12 rookies. I think that about half of our starters were rookies, actually. I was lucky enough to earn a starting spot in my first season with the team. We had some great leadership from experienced veterans that really helped the new girls get up to speed and learn quickly, including WNT Player Mari Wallace who has played in the last two World Cups. We ended up beating UC-Santa Barbara 3-0 in the final seconds of our last league game to earn our first trip to Collegiate Nationals in the Spring of 2002. I think we were certainly excited to earn a spot at Nationals, but I think that was a pretty pivotal point for me. Prior to playing in the National tournament in Florida that year, our coach at the time had gotten her hands on an email from the coach of another team in another territory that was particularly degrading toward SoCal teams. I recall one of the lines from the email said something to the effect that “SoCal doesn’t even deserve a seed at Nationals.” That’s a statement that’s stuck with me throughout my playing career, and has made me feel like I’ve always got something to prove.

In college we were lucky enough to win the SCRFU Championship for four consecutive seasons and to get to compete at Nationals. It didn’t really seem like a big deal at the time, just seemed like that was what we expected of ourselves. In 2003, we actually made it to the Final Four and played at Stanford’s Steuber rugby stadium for the first time – which was an awesome experience. I learned so much in college, and was fortunate to get to play U-23s with some great players from SoCal and I think that despite some setbacks (like losing both games and playing with only 12 girls at my first U-23 National All-Star Championships in 2002), it has helped me develop as a player and see the possibilities to continue playing rugby beyond college. There aren’t too many sports that women have an opportunity to play beyond college at such a competitive level, and I’m glad I’ve had that opportunity. If I wouldn’t have had a great experience playing in college, I doubt I would have continued to play after that. Not to mention that some of my best friends are girls I played rugby with in college.

SCRN:   For those who do not know Kirstin Hartos outside of the Griffins U-23/15s/7s all-star, what should supporters of the game know about you as a Rugby player that we have not already seen on the pitch?

KH:   Due to my stature, most people think I am a prop, so it usually comes as a surprise to see me line up with the backs. But I kind of like it that way.

SCRN:   Concerning Women's Rugby in SoCal, what if anything needs to change to promote the sport more to a bigger pool of Women? Does lack of coverage ever make particpants in Women's Rugby feel obsolete?  If you had to make any changes to Women's Rugby, what would your ideal league set up look like?

KH:   Our Division II teams play a Spring season, but then the winning team doesn’t advance to the National Championship until November. I think it might benefit the teams more to play a competitive league season in the fall (like the rest of the DII teams do around the country, and as the DI and WPL teams do) leading up to Nationals so that the qualifying team peaks at the right time. I’m also not without bias that it would make things much easier and more sustainable for our club specifically if our developing players could play on a DII side during the same season (so we could field two teams).

For women’s rugby on the whole, I think that the new WPL and DI structure has exponentially increased the costs for travel for teams in both divisions. Obviously for the teams that want to improve and get better, it’s important to get as many competitive games in as you can during the season. In the last two years, SoCal and Pac Coast DI teams played in a combined league. I would argue that this has been a tremendous benefit to our teams to play a wider variety of opponents and be exposed to different styles of play before reaching a national tournament. I think I can fairly say that we, along with the other DI women’s teams (Belmont and Tempe), had gotten sick of playing each other all the time. Sometimes things get stale when you’re always playing the same teams – so it was great to change things up a bit and expand the league. But the costs and commitment are staggering. The men’s DI and DII teams furthest league games are a few hours drive, rarely an overnight trip. In the last two seasons, we’ve had to travel all the way up the West Coast to Seattle for a league match. And this season we’ll fly to New York for our first WPL match. The financial burden to the individual player is tremendous. And it’s tough to find sponsors interested in supporting a women’s sports team. I think we’ve definitely benefitted from the expanded competition, but I worry that it’s not sustainable to get players to contribute upwards of $2,000 from their own pocket just for travel expenses in one season.

Of course if there were some league sponsor to help offset the financial expenses, that would certainly help ensure that the best players continue to get to play (and not just the players who can afford it).

If there were more coverage and exposure of the women’s club teams, I think that would also help get the word out to younger girls who are interested in playing. I don’t think girls in high school are looking to be the first one to start playing a non-mainstream sport, but the more exposure there is locally, the more that can help grow the game.

SCRN:   As stated earlier, the game is growing rapidly at the U-19 and below level. Females like Jamie Garcia and Megan Pinson are emerging and showing they can compete at a high level with players like yourself.  What advice do you give to future Female Rugby players about their development in the sport?

KH:   The best advice I have for future and younger players is that they just need to take advantage of the opportunities at hand. When you have a chance to tryout for any Griffins Select Side, go to the tryout and work your butt off. I guarantee you will learn something from the coaches or other players that are there. And if you don’t go, somebody else will. You’ve got to work hard, and take advantage of the chances that you get. Rugby isn’t a sport that us older girls grew up watching for the most part, so the best thing you can do is just play as much as you can.

SCRN:   Fun Questions for Kirstin Hartos!

1. Prince Harry or Prince William?
Can I say neither?

2. Mission Bay or Point Loma?
Mission Bay

3. Who will win the Rugby World Cup in 2011?
   If I didn’t say New Zealand, I would likely be sitting on the bench for the entire season. So I’m not going to take any chances.
4. If you could have the chance to play one Men's team in SoCal...who would it be?
   The Chargers. Oh wait, did you mean rugby?

5. Favorite Professional Rugby Player? Since no answer was provided....SCRN will answer with Dan Carter:)

6. Chances of SDSW club winning the National Championship this season?
Any given Sunday…

7. Todd Clever, Chris Wyles and Tai Enosa have been asked this by SCRN, so we will keep it going here...Justin Bieber or Justin Timberlake?
JT… Is Justin Bieber even 18?

8. Biggest rival in Women's Rugby for SDSW?
Those pesky gophers who call Robb Field home during our season… you know who you are. Oh, and Flag Football.

9. Favorite San Diego food joint?
The Local, and not just because of the lobster tacos.

Plato and Rugby: Interview with Chris Wyles

written by Vincent McLeod IV

Plato once said that, "a hero is born among a hundred, a wise man is found among a thousand, but an accomplished one might not be found even among a hundred thousand men."  As USA Rugby supporters, we tend to forget about the others behind the superb leadership of Captain America, Todd Clever.  However, if you know Rugby and watch the Aviva Premiership ever, you will no doubt know this man; Mr. Chris Wyles.  Originally born in Stamford, CT and raised in Allentown, PA, Chris moved to England when he was 11 years old.  He then went on to study Politics at the University of Nottingham.  Chris has played in over 110+ Premiership and Championship matches and currently plays for Saracens (2010-11 Aviva Premiership Champions!).  He has been a part of the USA 7's IRB World Series squad and played in over 23+ matches for the USA Eagles.  The man has numerous honors from Player of the Year titles to squad of the decade.  Bottom line, you will not find something in Rugby today that Chris Wyles has not been a part of.  SCRN takes an exclusive look at the "Sarries" and Eagles Fullback.

Chris Wyles Interview:

SCRN:  Playing for Saracens and being a key part of their success, you have to feel honored after the 2010/11 season?  What are you feeling like being an American Rugby Player on the winning Aviva Premiership team?

CW:  I feel very honored to have been part of the Saracens squad in the 2010/11 season. In all honesty, winning a Premiership is something I have dreamt about and is the highlight of my career. Its great to be one of the players representing the US in the Premiership.  I hope we can continue to get more and more Eagles players over to Europe. 

SCRN:  Looking ahead to the WC.  Ireland, Russia, Australia and Italy.  The US has to feel good this year about possibly getting out of the group stage.  What is your mental preparation like concerning the upcoming task?  What team are you most excited about playing if you had to choose one of them?

CW:  It will be an extremely tough group to play in. I personally am most excited about playing Russia. I think it will be an epic battle and I look forward to testing ourselves in this high pressure situation. 

SCRN:  Being a well developed player, how do you feel you are received abroad?  Alot of Americans complain about playing overseas since sometimes they are looked at as second rate players.  If you were in this situation, how would you go about getting on with your play?

CW:  I feel that over the last couple of seasons I have made my mark within the Saracens squad. In reality all that is important is that your coaches and teammates are happy with you.  Everything outside of that is irrelevant.  So, I would say as a developing player you should concentrate on working hard for these people. 

SCRN:  We have over 55 clubs and 3500 participants in the SoCal Youth Rugby apparatus.  Our Collegiate scene is growing at one of the fastest paces in the USA right now.  What advice can you give to those who want to pursue a Professional Rugby career? 

CW:  To pursue a professional rugby career I think you need a huge amount of discipline and persistence. Along the journey to a career in rugby you will undoubtedly get knocked down and told you aren't good enough. The ones that see this as a challenge and work even harder will be in good shape. 

SCRN:  Fun Questions from our readers: 

• Stranded in East Croydon, Steve Borthwick or Hayden Smith with you? Well definitely not Hayden so Steve. 
• Chelsea or Man Utd? Man Utd
• Machiavelli or Plato? Plato
• Ben Foden, Chris Wyles or Chris Patterson? Of course Chris Wyles! 
• Indian Curry or Fish n' Chips? Curry 
• David Cameron, Tony Blair or Gordon Brown? David Cameron
• Twickenham or Wembley? Twickenham 
• Favorite Aviva Premiership player? Hayden Smith
• Prince Harry or Prince William? Prince Harry 
• Hyde Park or Green Park? Green Park

The"Polar Bear" talks 7's Rugby: An Interview with Matt Hawkins

The"Polar Bear" talks 7's Rugby:

An Interview with Matt Hawkins
written by Vincent McLeod IV  (Part 2 on 7's Rugby Series)

John Cena has been dubbed the most fierce and intimidating force in the ring, but the nicest man over a beer; Rugby now has a John Cena!  Few Rugby fans and players in SoCal can understand what it is like growing up in Durban, South Africa and learning to play Rugby from our Father in the backyard.  Even fewer can say they have excelled on the USA 7's National Team.  In the end though, only one of us can be the most recognizable player (outside of Todd Clever in 15's) on the 7's circuit today; the Polar Bear himself, Mr. Matt Hawkins.  SCRN recently talked with Matt about 7's Rugby in the area and its future.



 Matt Hawkins Interview:

SCRN:  7's play is clearly growing in the region (and America for that matter).  As you are aware, the SoCal region has the two qualifiers, with all other tourney's being individually run.  Some teams have complained as to the fairness in this, while others highlight the injury prevention argument that playing two big tourney's decreases "season-long" injuries.  What would a 7's circuit in SoCal look like?  Is this a good or bad concept for the area? 

 MH:  I think a circuit type environment is best. We are trying to create constancy the whole way through, from club rugby to the National Team. To be very honest I am not sure what would be the best way to go about it, but it seems that many people here in the region believe we need to develop some thing that becomes a show case all summer long. I believe that the people we have working on it will get it right eventually, we just have to have patience until that point.

SCRN:  You have been attached with Belmont for their National Championship run in 2011.  What did Belmont do, outside of quality of play, to get themselves this big achievement?  What does the team have above all the others?

 MH:  I think the biggest thing that Belmont has had for a few years now, is they create a great team environment with all players and coaches having the same goal and all of them working in a synchronized effort toward attaining that goal.  This year the guys just really seemed to have an awesome team chemistry and I was just really lucky to have been part of it.

SCRN:  Do you think teams are ready to produce athletes (like Ben Gollings) that are purely 7's players for a club?  Is this a realistic vision for SoCal clubs?  Does it really matter if we continue to pull from 15's squads?

MH:  I think it is a realistic goal and I do believe that sevens is going to be the best way to take Rugby in this country to the next level. There is just so much changing and the environment we have here in Socal is perfect for a sevens athlete. We just need to start providing more platforms for people to be doing it for longer periods of time, not just over the summer.

SCRN:  Obviously, being dubbed the "Polar Bear" by the USAR fan base in Rugby Sevens, you are a massive icon of the game in America.  What advice can you give to people looking to make it big like yourself in Rugby?

MH:  Appreciate the kind words. I think you have to realize that in life there are always going to be obstacles no matter what you plan to do or what your goal is and as long as your focused, driven and dedicated enough to put yourself in the best position to succeed then you will get those opportunities and it is then up to you to take those opportunities.  But know and understand that your never to young or to old to have a dream.

 

Q&A with Todd Clever: Captain America (Rugby of course!)

written by Vincent McLeod IV


SCRN - Todd Clever is the most recognizeable iconic figure on the Men's National Team for the USA Eagles. Forget his dazzling hair that everyone cannot stop talking about. This 6'4 (225lbs) Flanker knows the game inside and out! From Rugby in South Africa to New Zealand, USA (OMBAC) to Japan (Suntory), this man has revolutionzed the professional game in the eyes of American fans. SCRN caught up breifly with "Captain America" before his final departure to the Rugby World Cup.

Q&A with Captain America Todd Clever:

SCRN:  You have been dubbed in numerous articles as being one of the nicest guys in Rugby. However, we all know you are one of the fiercest competitors on the Rugby pitch. What advice do you have for those trying to figure out the game of Rugby from a mental approach?

TC:  Sport is often a mental game. When you are training by yourself, and your body wants to give up, that's when you need to push yourself to the next level. When you're on the pitch always give 100%. Off the field, enjoy the friendships you make, often with your opposition - which is one of the best parts of the game.

SCRN:  Not to many supporters know you are from the Southern California basin (Palm Springs). How are you received (with all of your experience) around the world as a top-class Rugby player? Did your early days in Rugby (palm Springs or elsewhere) contribute to who you are now as a player?

TC:  In my early days overseas I always had to prove myself, especially coming from America, but I was fortunately able to do that at all the different levels. I have been well received by the rugby community across the globe, and it is an honor representing the United States.

My early rugby days in Southern California definitely contributed to the player that I am today.

SCRN:  Japan over the weekend, Ireland, Russia, Australia and Italy in the RWC. You have to be thrilled right now. What can you tell your fans in the SoCal region about your emotions being involved in all of these matches?

TC:  Anytime you are able to represent your country in sport is an amazing feeling. And on top of that, with the RWC being the third largest sporting event in the world, is a massive highlight in one's lifetime.

SCRN:  We have a growing base of "smaller/younger" ruggers in the SoCal area with 55 clubs and over 3500 participants (SCYR). In the Collegiate area, we are growing teams sizes faster then most regions (LAU's). What advice can you give those who want to make it professionally like Todd Clever has done? How important is the mental side of Rugby?

TC:  Enjoy the sport, take your opportunities, and success will come. The higher the level you play at, the more important the mental side of rugby is.

SCRN:  Fun questions for Captain America himself:

Sushi in America or Japan? Japan

Favorite region of Japan? Okinawa

Belmont Shores or San Francisco Golden Gate Rugby? San Diego!

San Jose or Los Angeles? LA

Will Ferrel or Steve Carell? Will Ferrel

Favorite Workout method:Bench Press or big rope? Big Rope

Walmart or Target? Walmart

Justin Bieber or Justin Timberlake (fan submitted question to SCRN)? Justin Timberlake

Head Coach Al Caravelli sheds some light on a Domesitc 7's circuit!

A Domestic 7's circuit in the United States: 
Head Coach Al Caravelli speaks to SCRN about his thoughts
written by Vincent McLeod IV 


SCRN had the chance to ask Al Caravelli, Head Coach of the United States Men's National Rugby Sevens Team, a few questions concerning Sevens Rugby in America.  Coach Al was kind enough to help us out with our ongoing project of assessing Sevens Rugby in America and how we can continue to grow it in the future.  The final report and case study, "Rugby 7's in America: A look into the future", is due to be released early September 2011.  We cannot thank him enough for his time!

SCRN:  Concerning Rugby 7's, do you find it helpful for a region to establish a 7's series/circuit for the 7's season?

Al Caravelli:  Yes I do tremendously.  Look how the European circuit has benefited the following teams, Portugal, Spain, Wales, Russia to name a few.  It gives the countries the opportunity to blood new players, give them international exposure, 2 day events which in our domestic competition we usually only play 1 day tournaments with the exception of our club national championships & the national all star championships.  It’s a good education for the athletes as well as the staff, upcoming coaches, trainers, asst coaches, all staff members, it helps the entire program grow with experience.   

SCRN:  Are there any benefits in your mind to having a 7's circuit (especially concerning National team selections)? 

Al Caravelli:  As I noted above it would be valuable so that the 1^st event is not the sevens world series.  It’s a proven formula as South Africa has shown with Cecil Afrika (see below for info); he was on Paul’s development team for 3 seasons before he set foot on the circuit.  I would like to see an Americas circuit played in September.  The tournaments can be played 1 in Chile & Uruguay or Brazil or Argentina representing the south then switch 1 week later in the north to be played in Mexico or Caribbean or Canada. It would be 4 tournaments. You give points similar to the series today. 

Coach Al highlighted many key points surrounding Rugby Sevens development in America.  One needs to realize that educating all of those involved in the "final production" is critical to success on the Rugby Sevens pitch over a sustained time period, as would be the case in a Sevens Series/Circuit.  Two day tournaments also forces teams to learn the skills and tactics required in the game, versus the flip side to this, which results in who can outlast their opponents for six hours in a given day; far too often the case in tournaments throughout America today.  All of these great ideas stem from a man that is atop our current Rugby Sevens structure, and for that we need to all take solitude in understanding that change is approaching for the betterment of a nation.  It is no doubt that Coach Al has a vision for taking the National Team to the highest level yet in its short history.  With quality thoughts like these, we can be rest assured we are in good hands for the time being!  

Can you imagine what the National Team could become if we were to have a competitive circuit for Miles Craigwell, Justin Boyd, Paul Emerick and Matt (the Polar Bear) Hawkins to play within?  Their talent throughout the HSBC World 7's Series would be unmatched; maybe only the great Ben Gollings of England might disagree, but that argument is for another day and time, sorry Ben!

 

The English Model
 
The Premiership Rugby Sevens Series (Known for sponsorship reasons as the J.P. Morgan Asset Management Premiership Rugby 7s Series) is a Rugby Sevens competition for the 12 Aviva Premiership Clubs that will play the following season (i.e. the 2010 competition features the teams playing in the Aviva Premiership in the 2010-11 Season).  It was started in 2010, as an off-season competition, held during the months of July and August.  The 12 Premiership Rugby clubs will be split into three groups for the tournament, with the winner and runner up of each regional event going through to the final.  There will be six games on each evening, with each match consisting of two seven minute halves with a two minute break, ensuring a high-energy and high-scoring game.  Events kick off on Fridays at 7.30pm, finishing at 10.30pm and feature, live music and family entertainment, ensuring a storming night out for all.

Could this happen in Southern California?  US Domestic Circuit?  The answer should be a very clear YES, for if it is not, then we have to assess our true passion for the development of this great sport!



Cecil Afrika
http://www.universalsports.com/news-blogs/article/newsid=529054.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cecil_Afrika
http://www.irbsevens.com/news/newsid=2043059.html 

A SoCal 7s Rugby Season/Series for 2012?

 A Rugby Sevens Circuit?
written by Vincent McLeod IV


 (Photo: Alex Ross of Belmont scores a try against OMBAC; courtesy of McLeod Sports)

To the teams of Belmont Shores and OMBAC, the 2011 7's can be written as a huge success.  They have both qualified for Nationals this weekend in San Francisco. 

To other teams, the season leaves members in more wonderment then anything.  How can teams like Santa Monica, under the direction of Tommy Smith, not produce the results needed?  How can talented teams in the San Pedro and greater Los Angeles areas not prove to be quality contenders in 7's Rugby throughout the Southern California area?

One cannot take away the fact that Belmont Shores has had an explosive season this 2011.  The adminstration and coaching staff at Belmont has put together a team that should end up in the Finals this weekend without putting forth little effort.  OMBAC, they have a bit of a tougher road in their Pool for Nationals, but have loaded up their team with current SDSU talent and possess committed players.  Both teams should be credited for their efforts outright.

This then brings us back to our initial concern, where are the others?  Southern California seems to be the only region that plays individual tournaments, with two lone qualifiers before the National Championship of 7s weekend begins.  Does this force teams to wait until the end of July to get serious about 7's Rugby?  If this is to be the case, then would it not hurt a team to play small tourney's in preparation with the fear of injury plaguing the teams?  Of course it would.  The system established right now rewards those teams that stack up their talent until the end of the season. 

Is this really legitimate one could ask?  In a playoff-like structure, you really just have to be mediocre until the time is right to get into the final playoff position.  Just ask the MLS' LA Galaxy in 2010!!!  They win the Supporters Shield and crash out of the playoffs while FC Dallas, a mid table team, takes it all the way to the MLS Finals with the Colorado Rapids, who are in the same boat all season.  Why does the EPL play a points based system?  They play it because it works and rewards quality play throughout the specified season.  Even turning back to Rugby, the JP Morgan Premiership 7's series does not have one event, they have multiple pool dates leading up to the finals at Twickenham.

With all of the questions floating and circulating, would a series of 7's Rugby in Southern California be ideal?  Would 7's programs begin to flourish instead of pulling good 15s players into playing something that in no other Tier 1 nation would they ever play? 

Developing a circuit of 7's Rugby would be the most ideal move the area could take to gain more exposure and recruit players into the mix.  Why not have a Premier and a Social bracket?  All of the obvious signs point to having one circuit, but in the end, how does one find it best to sell the option to the SCRFU, who has for years now been keen on these little "small" weekends.  If Rugby (all aspects of the game) is to grow in the future, we have to get serious about the quality of the structure of Rugby. 

National Championship Brackets (August 6-7)
Pool D   Schuylkill River(Mid Atlantic #1)
OMBAC (SoCal #2)                                                                                         
YoungBloodz(Midwest #2)                                                        
Denver Barbarians(West #2)     
Pool B   New Orleans(South #2)
Boston(Northeast #1)                                                                                  
Hawaii Select (Hawaii #1)                                                            
Belmont Shore(SoCal #1)    

The Making of a Rugby League cross-over athlete.

The Making of a Rugby League cross-over athlete
written by Vince McLeod IV

Few, if any Rugby supporters in America know the difference between Rugby Union and League.  Rugby League originated as a split from the Rugby Football Union in England in 1895 over the issue of payments to players.  Its rules were then gradually changed in order to produce a more entertaining game that would appeal to spectators.  With well over 35 domestic competitions around the world, Rugby League has proven itself to not only be that of one of the most physically demanding team sports in the world, but also a crowd pleasing experience.  A sport with constant tackling and movement amongst 13 players on a larger field than its American counterpart, Rugby League allows for the most physical of players to contend with similar beasts as themselves running into a collision at full speed.  Anyone playing Union has dreamt about having a civil war between opposition centers.  Well folks, this is Rugby League.  80 minutes of all out mayhem; why not!


Pete Roses, now contracted playing with the AMNRL Connecticut Wildcats after a move away from Santa Monica RFC, is a former American Football Player who has risen through the ranks of Collegiate Football at the University of Minnesota.  Pete even earned a contract with the Detroit Lions, ultimately playing Arena Football for the Georgia Force and received an invitation to play for the UFL’s Sacramento Mountain Lions.  With all of this American Football raw talent to a resume, why Rugby?


The question is why not Rugby?  For Pete, the game was fast moving and exciting, but also foreign and new to him.  A traditional hard hitting inside center, Pete has the ability to play numerous positions that require quick lateral movements and re-directioning of course at speed.  Pete has enjoyed success at Whittier RFC and Santa Monica RFC immensely in his short time within Rugby Union.  He has played against the big boys of Blackheath in England and made a favorable impression upon their staff.  Wherein you will find that Pete has made the most impact in Rugby thus far is within Rugby 7's.  Invite's to the USA Camps and the success with SM 7's, Pete has showed that the hard hitting 215 lb man needs to be respected and feared all together. 


However, in America, and particularly Southern California, the raw cross-over athlete talent has rarely been exposed and tapped into properly.  Coaches and admins would prefer to pick up the "kid" who has Rugby knowledge in High School or College versus' a mammoth like Pete.  Most supporters, or those with critical knowledge of the game in America, know for certain that we lack serious credentials at the youth level as a whole.  There are some rules to the exceptions, as teams like Belmont Shores have displayed to anyone who has played their U-19 programs and younger.  On the whole, most teach the game from a very disturbing and unimpressive vantage-point; no critical thinking on your feet is given headway while the mundane passing drill of weaving and running is preached harder then a Mormon on his mission work.  

Rugby League offers a different form of play.  Lets not assume though that League play is any less physically demanding on the brain, for certain tactics are now being introduced over from League to Union (once a forbidden concept in the old world).  Perhaps the American crossover athlete can make a bigger splash in League vs. Union.  Chris Wyles and Hayden Smith of Saracens in the Aviva Premiership (England) are the rare rule to a nation that introduces contact to children at an earlier age then any other country in the world.  These two men are not meant to be followed as a traditional platform, but should offer guidance and hope to a Tier 2 Rugby Nation that has more raw talent then any Tier 1 Nation outright.  

League requires the hard runs of a 1-on-1 situation, similar to that of what American Football produces.  Individuals like Pete Roses will thrive in the sport of Rugby League.  It should be the belief now that if we are truly to capitalize on our cross-over talent, Rugby League should be considerably looked into as a transition before moving to Union.  Perhaps, even down the line, as League becomes even more developed professionally and corporate sponsorships jump on board (like in Union), these cross-over athletes will be able to make a bigger name for themselves in League then they ever could in Union.  In League, their hard runs can be appreciated and celebrated by their team and the spectators.  Why do we limit individuals?  Why do we not find it best to let individuals reach their full potential? 

With an AMNRL Challenge Cup reschedule ahead for the Wildcats on July 30th against the lack-luster Aston Bulls, and the second round of the AMNRL playoffs commencing on August 13th (The wildcats receive an automatic berth into the 2nd round for finishing the Atlantic Conference in 2nd place), Pete has a unique opportunity to inject himself into a team when they need his services the most.  This short contract/trial run will be one for many to watch in order to learn the lessons of injecting a cross-over athlete into League play.  I for one will boldly state that Pete will find assured success in the League game immediately.  You will be surprised at how quickly this category of athletes will take rise to Rugby League, especially in America.  I expect a quick revolution across the American Rugby landscape if this situation in Pete Roses develops, which it will 100%!!!


Relevant websites:
http://www.amnrl.com/
http://www.santamonicarugby.com/club-news/126/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rugby_league
http://mcleodsports.com/
http://www.michaelcrook.com/