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/
