[Zeran]

Originally Posted by TwoPartsGabe

I've been playing club rugby at school for the past few months. Once I got used to the gameplay and all the rules its been a lot of fun. Our team is trying to join a union this spring so we can actually have matches against other schools.

that's awesome. i've always wanted to play rugby, but i'm kind of too short and skinny for it. i'd get killed.

[TwoPartsGabe]

I'm only about 5'4'' and weigh about 130lbs. I thought the same thing as you at the beginning of the year, but thus far the worst injury I've had was a dislocated finger. My point is that if it's something you really wanna try, go for it. As long as you're not a pussy the guys you play with will respect you for being tough enough to play with them, too.

[Zeran]

really? wow, that's awesome. i'm really thinking of joining the local rugby club now.

[imirish06]

Huuuuuuuuuge Steps for USA Rugby

USA Rugby officially announced its plans for the creation of Men’s and Women’s Elite Player Squads (EPS) for 2008, with the first EPS selections to be held in December by USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations, Nigel Melville.
USA Rugby High Performance programs have shifted their focus on the future and upcoming major international events.
The Men and Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifiers in 2008, the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010, and the Men’s Rugby World Cup qualification 2010 and finals in 2011 are all targeted.

Selection for an Elite Player Squad is a significant step towards an Eagles selection, each player will agree an annual playing and training program with the National Team coaches and their Club coach.

And each player will follow an agreed fitness, nutrition and skills program, supported by regular fitness testing and assessments.


-------------------------

USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville is optimistic about the game’s future in this country following the IRB global forum in England. The US supremo was one of 90 delegates invited to the forum.
“I was delighted to receive an invite,” Melville said. “It was an honor to be able to represent the emerging rugby nations and help tackle the issues that we continue to face. It enabled me to protect the USA’s interests on a global level as well as strengthen relationships with other developing countries.”
The crucial starting point of the forum was achieving the 20-team Rugby World Cup competition.

“I believe that if the IRB would have decreased the number of teams in the Rugby World Cup, it would not only slow down the progress of the developing nations, but also detract from the appeal of this truly global event,” added Melville.

Among the issues tabled were the integration of Argentina into the senior international calendar and new initiatives and competition structures to aid the development of the emerging nations. The forum discussed the development of a Tournament of the Americas, in addition to adding more tests between Tier 2 nations.

In conjunction with this forum and the initiatives brought forth, USA Rugby has announced that it plans on holding eight test matches in 2008 and 12 in 2009. The US plans on attending the Churchill Cup throughout June, hosting Irish provincial side Munster and a club from the UK in August, as well as playing three games in November, which have yet to be confirmed.

In the works is the expansion of the NA4 to eight representative teams (four from the US and Canada) in 2009 and then adding two teams from Argentina shortly thereafter. There was also talk of establishing a Five Nations America’s tournament between the USA, Canada, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina in the near future.

“All of these additional matches will obviously help the Tier 2 nations close the gap between the top rugby powers, and we are looking forward to building relationships with the other nations that are focusing on these same goals,” concluded Melville.

[imirish06]

Originally Posted by Zeran

really? wow, that's awesome. i'm really thinking of joining the local rugby club now.

Yeah dude, I say if it's something you want to do... go for it. You can always get bigger.

I've seen a lot of small guys play rugby and play well.

[Zeran]

Originally Posted by imirish06

Huuuuuuuuuge Steps for USA Rugby

USA Rugby officially announced its plans for the creation of Men’s and Women’s Elite Player Squads (EPS) for 2008, with the first EPS selections to be held in December by USA Rugby CEO and President of Rugby Operations, Nigel Melville.
USA Rugby High Performance programs have shifted their focus on the future and upcoming major international events.
The Men and Women’s Rugby World Cup Sevens qualifiers in 2008, the Rugby World Cup Sevens in 2009, the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2010, and the Men’s Rugby World Cup qualification 2010 and finals in 2011 are all targeted.

Selection for an Elite Player Squad is a significant step towards an Eagles selection, each player will agree an annual playing and training program with the National Team coaches and their Club coach.

And each player will follow an agreed fitness, nutrition and skills program, supported by regular fitness testing and assessments.


-------------------------

USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville is optimistic about the game’s future in this country following the IRB global forum in England. The US supremo was one of 90 delegates invited to the forum.
“I was delighted to receive an invite,” Melville said. “It was an honor to be able to represent the emerging rugby nations and help tackle the issues that we continue to face. It enabled me to protect the USA’s interests on a global level as well as strengthen relationships with other developing countries.”
The crucial starting point of the forum was achieving the 20-team Rugby World Cup competition.

“I believe that if the IRB would have decreased the number of teams in the Rugby World Cup, it would not only slow down the progress of the developing nations, but also detract from the appeal of this truly global event,” added Melville.

Among the issues tabled were the integration of Argentina into the senior international calendar and new initiatives and competition structures to aid the development of the emerging nations. The forum discussed the development of a Tournament of the Americas, in addition to adding more tests between Tier 2 nations.

In conjunction with this forum and the initiatives brought forth, USA Rugby has announced that it plans on holding eight test matches in 2008 and 12 in 2009. The US plans on attending the Churchill Cup throughout June, hosting Irish provincial side Munster and a club from the UK in August, as well as playing three games in November, which have yet to be confirmed.

In the works is the expansion of the NA4 to eight representative teams (four from the US and Canada) in 2009 and then adding two teams from Argentina shortly thereafter. There was also talk of establishing a Five Nations America’s tournament between the USA, Canada, Chile, Uruguay and Argentina in the near future.

“All of these additional matches will obviously help the Tier 2 nations close the gap between the top rugby powers, and we are looking forward to building relationships with the other nations that are focusing on these same goals,” concluded Melville.

this is awesome news.

[losethegirl]

Dude rubgy is the biggest sport aside form Men's basketball at my school and it is a club sport. Our team was ranked 4th in the Northeast though. We won NY state.

It's so exciting to watch the only thing I really enjoy watching besides hockey.

[Zeran]

i recently found out that canada has its own professional league, called the rugby canada super league. 13 teams from every province. it's really sweet, i'm gonna start following it more.

[Zeran]

bump.

i started playing intramural rugby this fall and love this shit. i was kind of a huge noob for a while and didn't know wtf i was doing, but i've started to really get the hang of it and it's tons of fun.

[imirish06]

Originally Posted by losethegirl

Dude rubgy is the biggest sport aside form Men's basketball at my school and it is a club sport. Our team was ranked 4th in the Northeast though. We won NY state.

It's so exciting to watch the only thing I really enjoy watching besides hockey.

ever hear of kutztown?

[AussieBoy]

Originally Posted by Zeran

that's awesome. i've always wanted to play rugby, but i'm kind of too short and skinny for it. i'd get killed.

hell no!!

in the NRL (rugby league in Aus) i read that for the last 7 or so years the average height of player of the year was like 5ft 8 and none of the guys were fatties either

[losethegirl]

Originally Posted by imirish06

ever hear of kutztown?

As in PA, yea. They have a great team that fortunately for us we never play being down in Division II.

Ever hear of St. Bonaventure? Probably not, we call them the Outlaws. http://www.sburfc.com/
They turned a team no one in our athletic dept. or administration cared about into a nationally ranked Div. II squad. They're like my brothers so I like to brag a little.

[Zeran]

Originally Posted by AussieBoy

hell no!!

in the NRL (rugby league in Aus) i read that for the last 7 or so years the average height of player of the year was like 5ft 8 and none of the guys were fatties either

i'm not too keen on rugby league, but from what i hear, the nrl guys pretty much beat the fucking shit out of each other during the game, and it's a bit more about finesse and fitness.

[Zeran]

Originally Posted by losethegirl

Dude rubgy is the biggest sport aside form Men's basketball at my school and it is a club sport. Our team was ranked 4th in the Northeast though. We won NY state.

It's so exciting to watch the only thing I really enjoy watching besides hockey.

what school is this? i wish my high school had had a rugby team.

[losethegirl]

Originally Posted by Zeran

what school is this? i wish my high school had had a rugby team.

College, but St. Bonaventure University.

About half the kids came from high school teams, but the other half have never even played rugby before. They take in anyone who wants to work and teach them the game.