ZANE MILLER
Staff Writer
Pepperdine freshman David Odorizzi stands ready on the sideline of a football field turned rugby pitch. He waits eagerly, separated from the bulk of the 15-man team. Finally, Pepperdine recovers the oblong ball and the whole line of mud-splattered players moves forward.
The ball starts moving down the line, each man clad in blue and orange zipping the ball back and out before being slammed by the opposing team. The player nearest David is receives the ball and they take off down the sidelines.
The enemy lands a crushing tackle, but David’s teammate unloads the ball to David. He takes off down the sideline, trying to dodge tackles and reach the end of the field. This is rugby. Hard, fast, no pads, no blocks.
“Rugby is recognized worldwide as the most ludicrous, insane, manly game ever to be played.” said Chris Garcia, president of Pepperdine’s rugby team.
Rugby is a game that started in England in the 1800s and has been popular internationally ever since. It spawned American football but hasn’t hit mainstream popularity in North America.
Rugby is played on a rectangular field with an oblong ball that is rounded at the tips. Players advance the ball only by running or kicking – forward passing is not allowed. Teammates cannot block for one other, the player carrying the ball must take the tackle and then throw or push the ball back to his teammates. There are no pads except for the occasional soft helmet to protect the ears.
Points are scored by touching the ball down at the end of the field, called a try, worth five points, or kicking the ball through the upright goal, which is worth three points. Points can also be scored after a try or on penalty kicks.
What many may not know is how active and competitive Pepperdine’s rugby team is. While it is still technically a club sport, the team is a member of USA Rugby, the highest governing body for rugby in the U.S. and it competes in Division II of the Southern California Rugby Football Union.
Rugby is not currently an NCAA sport, but there recently has been pressure on the organization to include the quickly growing alternative to football.
Rugby at Pepperdine has a long history. The team was founded in 1958 as an alternative for players of the disbanded football team. The fledgling team was disbanded in the 1980s due to lack of funding, but after intense popular support from the student body, it was brought back in 1990. Since then the team has performed very well in its division.
During the 2005-2006 season the Rugby team finished 10-1 and then 8-3-1 in 2006-2007. The season consists of two halves, the informal fall preseason and the competitive spring season, which includes playoffs and a possible championship.
This year Pepperdine’s rugby team is on its way to another great season. After five games they are 4-1 and are vying for first place. After Sunday’s win the team is headed to playoffs, where they have a chance to win the Southern California regional title. Garcia and Coach Peter Tulaney both think that Pepperdine’s chances in playoffs are good. If they win the regional playoffs then they will be going where no Pepperdine rugby team has gone before: nationals. “It may be our first time at nationals,” said Tulaney. “But this team could run with anyone.”
While it is described as a “small team” due to the size of the players, Freshman “rugger” Paul Casey says that the team is smart and can go up and beat bigger teams because the players play so well together, using their heads combined with all-around athleticism.
With a history like that and a winning record why have Pepperdine ruggers experienced a lack of support on campus? Most games garner only a meager crowd of spectators and, according to the team, that is still more attention than in the previous season.
The team describes numerous funding and support issues that come from running an team within a recreational system.
There a quite a few was a student can help support the rugby team. Casey and Odorizzi ask students to watch out for rugby games and come out and support the team. Recently the team has started some fundraising initiatives, including new t-shirts for guys and girls that students can buy so that the team can purchase some much needed equipment. The team also has created a Facebook group called “Waves Rugby Rocks” so that students can keep track of the standings and schedule.
For the more in depth sports fan, there is www.scrfu.org, where fans can check up-to-date standings and scores from games in the Southern California area as well as specific rules and details of the league.
Odorizzi says he was interested in rugby that after team member Captain Hunter Poarch and President Chris Garcia invited him to a practice and found it is a good way to keep active. Casey agrees, and adds that he really enjoys the teamwork and camaraderie rugby promotes.
“I like its fast pace and the big hits.” said Casey. “It is lesser know, but growing and it keeps you active.”
Many of the players were athletes and high school and found rugby to be the best alternative to football, and some even consider it superior. Poarch say the guys that play rugby are “fearless” and value “team loyalty”. Casey stressed that students should consider rugby to replace Pepperdine’s football team, and know that they can always attend games and support the team.
While the team has experienced renewed support, the team members want students to know that the team isn’t just a hobby, but a competitive and dedicated sports team.
“We are working hard, trying to represent our school and win a championship,” said Odorizzi. If the team manages to win a championship they may finally get the attention and support they desire. “It is exciting,” said Casey. “It doesn’t get much more physical that rugby.”
04-10-2000