|
Written by RUGBYMag Staff
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 16:23 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
Audio: Lou Stanfill |
|
RUGBYmag Premier -
Video and Audio
|
|
USA loose forward Lou Stanfill checks in with Bruce McLane leading up to the Churchill Cup.
|
|
|
|
Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 13:05 |
|
|
|
|
|
Former Pennsylvania Governor Promotes CRC |
|
Blog -
RugbyMag.com Blog
|
|
 This column was originally run in the Philadelphia Daily News and on their online portal, Philly.com. The author, Former Pennsylvania Gov. Ed Rendell, writes a weekly sports column for the Daily News from a fan's perspective. His column appears Wednesdays.
IF YOU'RE fed up with the NFL lockout, if you think it's just a dispute between billionaires and millionaires, but the thought of not having a football season is still too much for you to bear, I have some advice. Head down to PPL Park in Chester on Saturday and Sunday and check out the USA Sevens Collegiate Rugby Championship.
Yes, I said go watch a rugby tournament. Despite the fact that there are about 2,500 rugby clubs in the United States, including a number in our area, most Eagles fans know little or nothing about this fast-paced, rugged sport. What little we may know comes from watching Matt Damon and Morgan Freeman in the film "Invictus," which told the inspiring story of how South Africa's winning of the Rugby World Cup helped unite the previously socially divided country. The Rugby World Cup is played with traditional rules and 15-man teams. The Collegiate Rugby Championship to be played in Chester features a newer, even more exciting version of this ancient sport.
Rugby sevens, as it is known, creates a wilder, more wide-open form of rugby, as each team has only seven players who must attempt to defend a full-size rugby field (which is 30 percent bigger than a football field).
Because of the incredible pace and intensity of the game, each match consists of two 7-minute halves. With only seven players on each side, you're likely to see a lot of man-on-man hits, and players can go the distance with one shifty move or a broken tackle. Given the exciting nature of the game, rugby sevens has become immensely popular in a short period of time, and it has been made an official sport at the 2016 Summer Olympics.
This weekend, 16 of the top men's college teams will play 39 matches over 2 days to determine the national champion. The field for the championship will showcase teams from some of the most accomplished athletic programs in the country, including Arizona, Boston College, Cal, LSU, UNC, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas, Utah and local favorites Army, Navy, Notre Dame, Penn State and Temple. This incredible assemblage of players represents some of the talent pool from which the 2016 U.S. Olympic team will be drawn. An eight-team women's tournament also will take place, with Penn State, Temple and Princeton among the competitors. Each match will be won or lost in only 14 minutes, and I can assure you that if you love football, you will love rugby!
Dan Lyle, the executive vice president of USA Sevens, played tight end at VMI and was offered a contract by the Minnesota Vikings in 1996. He chose to pass up the deal and eventually went to Europe to play rugby, and because of his size (6-5, 252 pounds) he became known as "Captain America."
I asked Lyle to compare rugby and football, and he said that they are basically "kissing cousins." The similarities: When a player carries the ball into the end zone and touches it down, it is known as a "try" and is worth five points; after a try is scored, there is a chance to score two points with a conversion kick, which is attempted from the spot the ball was touched down (extra point - this can get tricky if a player is tackled in the end zone near the side line); a penalty kick can be attempted after an infraction (field goal), and is worth three points if good, but it must be dropkicked; if a penalty occurs rather than a lesser infraction, the kick may be taken off a tee; lastly, a player can be stopped only by tackling (although tackling too high is an infraction).
There are, however, some differences:
* First, the players do not wear pads. (Think, football with no pads? Incredible.)
* Second, you cannot pass the ball forward but every player can pass (think, seven QBs) the ball backward (a lateral to another player).
* Third, there are no downs - it is free-flowing, with few stoppages of play, so that the action rarely ceases. The "scrums" you might have seen happen only after infractions, but when a player is tackled, a makeshift scrum can ensue as the other team tries to grab the ball, while players from the team with possession try to block opposing players and pass the ball backward to another player.
* Fourth, American football is a collision sport, so despite the pads, there are more serious injuries. In rugby, tackling is key and you absolutely have to wrap up (Asante Samuel need not apply).
So treat yourself and your family to this whirlwind, exciting tournament. It will help you forget about Jerry Jones, Roger Goodell, et al. Tickets are incredibly cheap by NFL standards, and it will be a great deal of fun.
(Full disclosure, my son's management company is providing marketing, promotions and media relations services to USA Sevens in connection with the event.)
There's one more major reason you should come to PPL Park this weekend: With NBC Sports targeting the Collegiate Rugby Championship as one of its franchise events, with live coverage on both days, and with the fact that NBC plans to have Philly host the event indefinitely, we can own this event for years to come if we have sellout crowds.
In addition to the event's obvious economic stimulus - with college students and alumni coming in from across the country, the game's rising popularity and its acceptance into the 2016 Olympics - the game will increase Philadelphia's growing prominence on the international sports scene (adding to the inroads made by the Union in soccer).
In fact, a main reason we missed out on our previous bid to host the Olympics was our lack of international sporting events. The Collegiate Rugby Championship can become another of the area's marquee sporting events, along with the Army-Navy Game, the Dad Vail Regatta, the Penn Relays, the International Cycling Championship, the National Dog Show (in Philly through 2019, with 20 million viewers - you knew I had to sneak this in) and the Winter Classic. All of these can combine to make Philadelphia the greatest sports town in America.
The tournament's theme is "the toughest sport in the toughest town." Let's show once again why we really are the best and the toughest sports fans in the country. *
Have a question or topic for a future column? We want to hear from you. Send an email to
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
.
|
|
|
|
|
Written by Pat Clifton
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 14:41 |
|
|
|
|
|
Palmer, O-Club Seek First DI Title |
|
Clubs -
Men's DI Clubs
|
|
 Olympic Club has been to the national semifinal twice before, in 2007 and 2008. Palmer has been three times, last year (2010), 2001 and 1995.
Both storied clubs have members who feel they should already have one of USA Rugby’s eagle-shaped trophies in their respective cases, but after Olympic Club and Palmer meet Saturday at Infinity Park in Glendale, Colo. in the 2011 semifinal, only one team will still have a shot at the bronzed bird, while the other will go home disappointed, again.
Asked if he thought this felt like the year they’d win it all, Olympic Club center Matt Rose said simply and earnestly, “Yes.”
Palmer center Mike Junk elaborated a little more when posed with the same question.
“I feel like we’ve got some good drive. We’re ready to be there,” he said. “We only lost a few key starters from the pack. Although we’re smaller, we’re definitely fit and ready to be out there and see what the Olympic Club’s got. I think everyone’s just excited to try and bring back a championship.”
Olympic Club’s lineup features some pretty familiar names. Cal All-American Keegan Engelbrecht is their flyhalf, Cal All-American and Eagle Rikus Pretorius is at No. 7 (Well, No. 6. He’s South African), Eagle No. 8 Kort Schubert anchors the back row, and former NFL and Stanford defensive tackle Carl Hansen is a cog in the engine room.
Palmer’s bunch perhaps possesses a little less star power. Jarod Selby is an international 7s player, but for Canada, so his name probably raises fewer eyebrows in the American club scene. English scrumhalf Luke Stringer is a very skilled player, but just in his first year of American rugby, he too isn’t a broadly known talent. Ryan Duklas is a UW-Whitewater All-American and the Dragons’ No. 8, but he probably isn’t as famous as Engelbrecht.
These two talent-chocked rosters should create some interesting matchups. How will Duklas handle lining up across from Schubert?
“I would wage caution comparing any American No. 8 to Kort Schubert,” said O-Club coach Ray Lehner. “Kort’s a pretty special player, and there’s a lot that Kort does for our club, but I don’t know a lot about this Palmer kid, so we’ll have to wait and see how they match up.”
Pretorius is arguably O-Club’s best player, but will he find his usual measure of success against one of Palmer’s best defenders, strong-side flanker and former Kutztown standout James Fitzgerald?
Engelbrecht has as accurate a boot as there is in DI, but if he misses when going for territory, the ball will likely find its way into the hands of Selby, a lethal attacker. This matchup, amongst all others, could be the key to success or failure for either club.
“The No. 1 goal would be to not kick (Selby) the ball, and if we have to, we hope to turn him around,” said Lehner. “We don’t really treat is as a special order, it’s just kind of good rugby tactics to never kick the ball to a fullback with a wide field in front of him.”
Controlling possession with forwards and territory with smart kicking is Olympic Club’s gameplan. To disrupt it, Palmer needs to play strong one-on-one defense.
“They sound like a pretty well-balanced team,” said Junk of O-Club, “and I feel if we catch them with our forwards, if we make good tackles right at the breakdown, don’t let them suck us in too much and shoot it wide on us, I feel defensively, if we tackle hard and keep them short yardage at every breakdown, we should be able to hang with them pretty well.”
Olympic Club and Palmer kick off at 4:30pm local time. The winner plays either host Glendale or the Boston Irish Wolfhounds 4pm Sunday.
|
|
|
|
Written by RUGBYMag.com News Release
Wednesday, 01 June 2011 13:02 |
|
|
|
|
|
Canada U20s Defeat Zimbabwe |
|
Canada -
Men
|
|
 Canada's under 20 men's team has beaten Zimbabwe at the Junior World Rugby Trophy in Tbilisi, Georgia, scoring an eight try 49-23 victory to claim third place in Pool B.
The match, played in scorching conditions of 35 C - saw a lethargic first half effort by the Candians, who were adrift 8-7 at the half. Alberta's Jeff Hassler scored the only Canadian try of the first half and had two on the day - his second straight two try effort after he scored a pair in the 30-15 loss to Japan on Saturday.
Despite the big victory, first year coach for the U20's Mike Shelley freely admitted the opening forty minutes of rugby was not up to standard.
"It was the worst first half of rugby I have seen us play," he said after the game. "We were giving (Zimbabwe) possession. We did get one break away try in the first half but we just couldn't keep hold of the ball in the first half."
But at the break Shelley hit the reset button and got the team back on task - with one adjustment being the return to some basic approaches to possession and engagement against the opposition.
"We decided to tighten up the game in the second half," Shelley explained. "We didn't force any elaborate passing movements - just play some direct, over the gain line rugby."
In the second frame tries from Hassler, Michael Fuailefau, Cam Pierce, Captain Tyler Ardron, Lucien Nel and prop Brandon Tennant saw the Canadians pull away with the big victory.
The match was scoreless until the half hour mark when Hassler hit for his first try of the day. Andrew Ferguson converted the score - to make the score 7-0.
Zimbabwe wing Justin Coles dotted down just before the half - and coupled with a Sean Linfield penalty kick Zimbabwe took a slim 8-7 lead into the break.
In the second half it took Canada just six minutes to get Okotok's Hassler across for his brace. With the Andrew Ferguson extras - Canada took back the lead 14-11.
Going to his bench helped with some fresh legs as well, but it was the effort of 19 year old Jeff Hassler that really has him excited.
"He scored two tries today, but he probably had about twenty-five big runs," said Shelley of the exciting University of Saskatchewan Huskies running back. "He's like a fast paced winger playing like an extra forward as well. He just carries it up and carries it up.
"(Jeff) very rarely makes any errors. He is still pretty raw on the rugby front but it is a pleasure to have someone like him in the team."
Zimbabwe scrum-half Charles JiJi got his team back in front in a minute later scoring a try - but the conversion was missed - Zimbabwe 16 - Canada 14.
At 56 minutes Victoria centre Michael Fuailefau solved the stingy Zimbabwe defense - giving Canada a lead it would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest. Carlin Hamstra kicked the conversion and Canada held a five point lead 21-16.
At the one hour mark second row Cam Pierce of Kelowna touched down - extending the Canadian lead to 28-16 with the Hamstra conversion.
Three minutes later Zimbabwe's JiJi continued to pressure Canada, crossing for his second of the half - to bring the score to 28-23 with fifteen minutes left.
Team Captain Tyler Adron then got his second try in two games - driving across in the 68th minute. With the Hamstra conversion Canada held a comfortable 35-23 lead.
Replacement scrum-half Lucien Nel put another try aross in the 72nd minute as the strong Canadian effort began to stress the defensive structure of the Zimbabweans as the score ballooned to 42-23.
Quebec's front row phenom Brandon Tennant got on the scoresheet late in the game with his first international try to round out the Canadian scoring at 49-23.
Canada lost its opening two matches of the tournament to Georgia, (38-9) and Japan, (30-15) and now play Russia - third place finisher in Pool A - on Saturday for the fifth place play-off at the tournament.
Other matches on the day saw Uruguay beat the USA 33-5 and Samoa take down the Russians 50-14. In the match to decide top spot in Pool B - Japan got by the host Georgians 29-14, finishing the round robin portion of the tournament undefeated at 3-0. Japan plays Samoa to crow the tournament champions on Saturday as well.
Canada: 49 (7)
Tries: Jeff Hassler (2), Michael Fuailefau, Cam Pierce, Tyler Ardron, Lucien Nel, Brandon Tennant,
Conversions: Andrew Ferguson (2), Carlin Hamstra (5)
Russia: 23 (8)
Tries: Justin Coles, Charles JiJi (2),
Penalties: Sean Linfield
Conversions: Tommy Nelson (2)
The Canadian U20 men's team is supported in part by the funding efforts of the Canadian Rugby Foundation. If you would like to help support young rugby players in their development consider donating to the CRF - visit www.canadianrugbyfoundation.ca .
Canada team vs Zimbabwe
1. Scott Macleod - Cowichan RFC (Cowichan, BC)
2. Andrew Cho - Calgary Saracens RFC /University of Calgary (Calgary, AB)
3. Graeme Mahar - Balmy Beach RFC / University of Guelph (Toronto, ON)
4. John Humphries Castaway Wanderers / Western University (Victoria, BC)
5. Cameron Pierce - Kelowna Crows / University of Victoria (Kelowna, BC)
6. Evan Olmstead - Capilano RFC (West Vancouver, BC)
7. Matt Kelly - Toronto Scottish RFC / Queen's University (Toronto, ON)
8. Tyler Ardron - Brantford RFC / McMaster University (Brantford, ON)
9. Andrew Ferguson - Oakville Crusaders RFC /McMaster University (Oakville, ON)
10. Carlin Hamstra - Cowichan RFC / University of British Columbia (Cowichan, BC)
11. Jeff Hassler - Foothills Lions RFC /University of Saskatchewan (Calgary, AB)
12. Patrick Parfrey - Swilers RFC / Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's, NFLD)
13. Michael Fuailefau - Castaway Wanderers RFC / University of Victoria (Victoria, BC)
14. Kurtis Appeldoorn - Abbotsford RFC / University of Fraser Valley (Abbottsford, BC)
15. Patrick Kay Cowichan RFC (Cowichan, BC)
Replacements
16. Casey Cavers - Cowichan RFC / University of Victoria (Cowichan, BC)
17. Jordan Power - Dogs RFC / Memorial University of Newfoundland (St. John's, NFLD)
18. Brandon Tennant - Montreal Irish, (Montreal, PQ) for Mahar (52 Mins)
19. Cameron Stones Ajax Wanderers RFC / McMaster University (Ajax, ON) for Humphries (52 mins)
20. Dustin Dobravsky - Shawnigan Lake School /University of Victoria (Regina, SK) for Pierce (69 mins)
21. Lucien Nel - Cowichan RFC / University of Victoria (Cowichan, BC) for Ferguson (48 mins)
22. Dylan Mundy Oshawa Vikings RFC / Brock University (Oshawa, ON) for Appeldoorn (73 mins)
Coach Mike Shelley
Manager Des Lynch
Graeme Moffat. Assistant coach
Andy Evans. S & C coach/ Video Analyst
Mike Cook. Therapist
Alastair Poulson. Team Doctor
|
|
|
|
Spring is in the air, but it's not the birds (or the bees) that force some of our RuggaMatrix panel outside ... it's a computer virus. So the birds are chirping in the background and they are squawking in the foreground as Alex Goff rants about unjust player bans, Bruce McLane rants about the Eagles and what they really should be doing at the Churchill Cup, and Pat Clifton riffs on frustrations surrounding the USA 7s team.
