Meet the men’s rugby team

University of San Diego rugby is a club sport with Varsity expectations

Maria Watters / Asst. Sports Editor / The USD Vista

Though rugby isn’t one of the University of San Diego’s NCAA-sanctioned sports, players on the USD rugby team have high expectations for themselves. Playing at the highest level of college club rugby, the team has labeled their organization as a “club sport with varsity expectations” and perhaps rightfully so. Fielding a team since 1980, the USD club rugby team has established a tradition of hard work in a sport that is growing in popularity everyday.

From the outside, a casual sports fan might consider rugby a cross between a high-contact version of soccer and football, minus the pads. And, in some ways, it is. Though rugby is not as wildely popular in the U.S. as it is in other countries, the sport has a rich history spanning over 2000 years, with its origins tracing back to the ancient Romans who played a primitive version of the game. Modern rugby, however, can thank William Webb Ellis, the “creator” of the game when he, disregarding the rules of the time, ran with the ball in his arms in 1823. 

Since then, rugby has become a cultural phenomenon with hundreds of millions of fans worldwide and counting. While the sport is most popular in countries like New Zealand, England, Ireland, and Scotland, interest in rugby in the U.S. and other countries has increased since rugby “sevens” was included in the 2016 Rio De Janeiro Olympics. Rugby sevens is when teams are seven versus seven instead of 15 versus 15.

Defining rugby may be tough to the average individual. Though wildely entertaining to watch, the specifics of the game can be quite difficult to understand without some help. Rugby is a highly-complicated game, but, like many other sports, the main goal is to outscore your opponent in the 80 minutes allotted for each match. Two opposing teams face each other on a field or pitch, and try to score in one of four ways. A try is worth five points and is awarded when a player touches the ball to the ground behind the goal, similar to scoring a touchdown in football. A conversion, worth two points, is scored by kicking the ball between two posts above a goal (think field goal or extra point). A penalty kick is given after a team commits an infringement or foul and is worth three points. Finally, a drop goal is worth three points and can be earned at any time so long as the ball bounces before it is kicked. 

Aside from scoring, what is unique about rugby is the rule that the ball can never be dropped or passed forward by a player. All passes are thrown behind the player with the ball; however, if the ball does move forward, on a pass or is dropped, the referee will award a scrum. Probably the most complicated and violent aspect of the game, a scrum is contest of brute strength and strategy as both teams push each other in hopes of getting the ball to their free player and resume play. When the ball goes out of bounds, the referee will signal a lineout in which both teams will face one player throwing the ball back in play toward his team. At that precise moment, each team will launch one of their players into the air to catch the ball. 

As if high flying, kicking, tackling, and wrestling weren’t enough to draw attention to this unique sport, rugby presents a truly unique community for its players and fans that is unlike any other sport. 

Sophomore Henri Vatinel appreciates the sportsmanship that is a part of the game. 

“Usually when you think about sports you think about competition,” Vatinel said. “The reason I like rugby is that afterwards you get to shake hands with the other guys and we eat together and we have a couple laughs.”

For senior Darren Steward, the sense of unity is his favorite aspect of the game. 

“(It’s) the community, the brotherhood,” Steward said.

And it really is just that: a brotherhood. The USD men’s club rugby team spends hours and hours together each week training and practicing. 

“It’s definitely a big commitment,” Steward said. “But we play at a Division I (club level), so it’s a lot of work for a lot of payoff.”

Junior Cam Wilmer, the team’s president, has been playing rugby since he first picked it up in middle school after moving from Hong Kong to Canada when he was 14. To Wilmer, the best thing about rugby is the philosophy behind the game: “work hard, play hard.” 

With three weight training sessions a week, two hour practices, and conditioning on the beach, it would seem like only serious athletes could participate.

 “It doesn’t matter your skill or experience,” Wilmer says. “If you like sports you’ll have a fun time, if you like a team you’ll have a fun time.”

Whether it’s trying out for the team, cheering on the Toreros, or watching the Rugby World Cup being played worldwide, rugby is a game that is played for everyone. It’s the action-packed competition that draws millions to the stands, and the community that brings the players.