Thread: The Rugby Thread

Theres quite a few people from UK, AU, NZ, SA around here so thought it was only right to have a talk about rugby .

Quite leveled out at the moment in the international scene ...it will be interesting to see the All Blacks against France.

To americans - how do you guys percieve the sport? Do you find it tough? For pussies? (hahaha yer right?).

I had an American college player who came into work here in NZ and said that some of the guys that don't get into the top college football team will play rugby instead. Whats the competition like?

Rugby has to be one of the top sports out their and anyone who hasnt played it should give it a go its brilliant.

Plus its good to watch, specially when theres a national competition.

Anyone here see the Australia vs England world cup match? that has to be one of the best games of rugby ive ever seen.

It's starting to pick up in the states. I played for three years in college in Southern California, where it's real big. I'm from Oregon, and high schools have started forming teams in the past couple years. So I think it's on the rise.

It's the best sport I've ever played. We had a great team - the football coaches were pretty pissed at the rugby team because a bunch of the good football players quit and chose preseason rugby over football (it was NCAA Div III, so there weren't scholarships at risk or anything). Also, we were able to take trips to both France and New Zealand and got some matches in. Those were great times.

I'm an amateur rugby player here in the UK, great game, takes a lot of strength, explosive power and LOADS I mean LOADS of endurance. It's not a game for the weak.

Originally Posted by SoCalRugger

It's starting to pick up in the states. I played for three years in college in Southern California, where it's real big. I'm from Oregon, and high schools have started forming teams in the past couple years. So I think it's on the rise.

It's the best sport I've ever played. We had a great team - the football coaches were pretty pissed at the rugby team because a bunch of the good football players quit and chose preseason rugby over football (it was NCAA Div III, so there weren't scholarships at risk or anything). Also, we were able to take trips to both France and New Zealand and got some matches in. Those were great times.

What scholarships are available? I checked out the America rugby site and there are very limited ...most were international students getting it at inner-state rates ...which would appeal to me grately.

I want to go to college in America, however cost would be too much for an international student. Rugby would be my only pathway.

Who is the top rugby college's and when do you think it may move in Div II?

Originally Posted by Kyza

What scholarships are available? I checked out the America rugby site and there are very limited ...most were international students getting it at inner-state rates ...which would appeal to me grately.

I want to go to college in America, however cost would be too much for an international student. Rugby would be my only pathway.

Who is the top rugby college's and when do you think it may move in Div II?

I meant that nobody was risking football scholarships since NCAA Div 3 doesn't permit scholarships. Hardly anybody offers rugby scholarships, maybe one or two of the Div 1 schools like Berkeley. Rugby is still primarily a club sport, not a varsity sport, so funding of any kind is pretty limited and up to the teams themselves to raise money.

The way it works is most college sports are NCAA sports, like football, basketball, etc. Rugby is not an NCAA sport, it's run by USA Rugby. So when I say a particular university is in Div 1 or Div 2, those are USA Rugby divisions, not NCAA divisions.

It's complicated, especially if you don't know a lot about U.S. college athletics. But as to your question, basically I wouldn't count on rugby getting you a scholarship, it's not quite that big yet. Everyone plays because they love the game, not to get through school.

Fair enough. Sorry bro I am quite familar with your system (following college basketball).

I just misinterpreted what you said.

Well no actually there are a few scholarships for about 10 colleges listed on the USA RUGBY site. However, they are not full scholarships. They just reduce the admission fee which would help out heaps!!

Many people turn up to the games?

Originally Posted by Kyza

What scholarships are available? I checked out the America rugby site and there are very limited ...most were international students getting it at inner-state rates ...which would appeal to me grately.

I want to go to college in America, however cost would be too much for an international student. Rugby would be my only pathway.

Who is the top rugby college's and when do you think it may move in Div II?

Kia Ora bro. I play rugby in London and my teammate played in St Louis for 2 years. He wasnt on great money, I think he got a flat, car and was on about 600 dollars a week, like I said not great but he liked it because he got to travel around the states playing rugby. Of course he tore **** up over there being the only overseas player on their team.

Basically if you've played to a rep standard in your province in NZ or wherever you'll be good enough to get a deal similiar to my mate.

Nice. That is exactly what I wanted to hear!

So England/South Africa this weekend huh? Big match ...honeslty I can't tell who is going to take it.

Was watching some highlights of England from the weekend and they look pretty on form and probally think they will beat SA.

What do you think about Dan Carter? Next AB's 1st 5?

Originally Posted by Kyza

Nice. That is exactly what I wanted to hear!

So England/South Africa this weekend huh? Big match ...honeslty I can't tell who is going to take it.

Was watching some highlights of England from the weekend and they look pretty on form and probally think they will beat SA.

What do you think about Dan Carter? Next AB's 1st 5?

Not too sure about England. I think the Saffas will take them this weekend. England are still missing too many quality players. Their backline is a bit suspect as well.

I tried to get tickets to watch the Wales - All Black game this weekend in Cardiff but no luck. Sell out.

Dan Carter has gotta stay at no.10. He's got a more all round game then our other fly halfs. What im worried about his our locks and back row (besides McCaw). They'll be good enough this weekend but when we play the frogs their gunna get tested for sure.

I love Rugby. I can't stress that enough, so I won't try. As a prop, I don't think there is any experience out of the gym (except perhaps sex) equal to being in a scrum, lifting someone and pushing someone else at the same time, when you can feel the power of the second rows telling you to go forward. And don't get me started on tackling- it's as good as any sport gets.

Originally Posted by The Kurgan

I love Rugby. I can't stress that enough, so I won't try. As a prop, I don't think there is any experience out of the gym (except perhaps sex) equal to being in a scrum, lifting someone and pushing someone else at the same time, when you can feel the power of the second rows telling you to go forward. And don't get me started on tackling- it's as good as any sport gets.

Hahah yer bro. Hey if ya don't mind me asking what school do you go to in Scotland?

Our school has a huge scholarship that you can get that takes you around 6 Scottish schools.

And on another note, my mate went to a Scottish school this year to play rugby. He played in the 1st 15 ...I'll check what school he went to. It was only a short 2month stint ...just to experience it all.

well tell you what i am struggling right now had two days of training in a row and cant move... but god its fun.. been injured for 3 weeks and first training for that time and cant wait to play next week...

Nice! Yer man it's currently off season now so ...a lot of weights. Then after New Years its bulking time - I need to be bigger!

Especially coming up against Christchurch Boys High (this years top equal NZ school who are off to Japan [i think] for the world highschool champs) ...

Its going to be a tough season next year. We are the only school to ever beat Boys High in the Canterbury region and next year I think we could take it.