Okay, you're the coach (or captain) and just reached the two minute warning. You're down by 8 points and just got the ball on your 20. Worse yet, you have just one time-out.

You look on the sidelines and are trying to determine who is fit enough for a non-stop 80 yard drive for a TD and 2pt conversion. You need to piece together and offense and eventual defense of guys who have the stamina, power and aggression to endure and outlast your opponent WITHOUT COMING OFF THE FIELD AND WITH NO STOP IN PLAY.

Do you have those kind of guys on your team? Do you want to be one of those guys that can be called upon?

Get a few ruggers out there.

Remember the Cal State v. Stanford game on November 20, 1982? The Cal Golden Bears rugby team drew up and fielded several players for that spectacular finish. After all, Cal's considers rugby a varsity sport.

_______


The Fort Wayne Black and Blue are dusting off their rugby boots from the winter. Starting on February 7th, the team will meet for practice at Carroll Middle school at 5:30, every Tuesday and Thursday.

We have a great schedule this spring, with some tough matches and tournaments.

Rugby matches are a bit like random interval workouts except that they also involve non-running activities, such as tackling, rucking, mauling and scrummaging. So the benefits can be spread among your linemen and speedy guys equally.

No experience necessary. We'll teach you everything you need to know about the game. 100% of all of our players did not know how to play at one time their lives, so we remember very well what it's like to start from scratch. The team provides playing opportunties for beginners and more social (rather than competitive) players.

Rugby is a full-contact sport without football pads, so yes, people can get hurt. But Rugby is no more dangerous than any other similar contact sport, such as lacrosse. In fact, injury rates and insurance costs are comparable to soccer, Rugby's father sport, and lacrosse. Unlike many collision sports that involve equipment and padding (i.e. football), many rugby players enjoy careers lasting into their 40's and longer.

For practice, you only need to bring an old t-shirt/jersey, a pair of cleats and a mouthguard. Once it gets warmer and we start playing, you'll need to get to get a uniform (or "kit"), consisting of shorts and socks. Eventually, you may want to buy your own rugby jersey so as to not keep replacing torn t-shirts. We provide the game jerseys, but you won't get to keep them.

Most football cleats are NOT allowed in games (and not really encouraged at practice, for that matter). The front toe cleat is illegal and, often, the cleats are too narrow and sharp. If you have a pair and aren't sure, bring them out and we can take a look. Sometimes, you can simply unscrew the front toe cleat and be legal. Soccer cleats are fine.

If you decide to give rugby a "try" come on out! If you like it and want to join the team, our dues for rookies are a mere $35. Once you become a paying member of the team, you are invited to all club games and functions, including the match after-parties (Socials), which are generally are great time (usually free "beverages" and food...it's all about the aftermath).

SOOOOO, if you live in the Fort Wayne Area and are looking for some pre-season conditioning and skills work, I encourage you to come out and give it a try. Last year we had guys who drove in from Marion, Warsaw, Ohio and even Angola.

Send me an email (disciple1969_60115@yahoo.com) if you have any questions, like:

Can a Whore be a Hooker and are all forwards loose?


Black and blue with pride,

Matthew A. Doss, Esq.
Fort Wayne Black and Blue, #7 Loose Forward
Grant County Scorpions, Inc. VP/Legal Counsel
Grant County Scorpions, #20 SS/OLB/OG/TE



Elements of rugby to remember:

No substitutions...you get hurt you are out. No getting tired, no offence and defense. Ball is always in play. You play until you die, or leave the game.

Nothing is quite as cool as tackling someone in the open field and feeling your shoulder crush his chest against the turf.

Rugby has plays called rucks and mauls. And yes, they are violent.

Rugby players don't grab each other's ass after a good play.

Rugby is controlled as pure controlled chaos. Hit, run, hit, and run. No helmets, no pads, no lead blocking, no forward pass.

Football is nice, but the pads dull the pain. No pads, no helmet, no p***sies.

Rugby looks kinda boring. There are so many rules. And what is going on inside of those scrums?

Aside from the fact that I noticed many spelling and grammatical errors - I typed this lengthy post while eating a quesadilla during lunch - I also wanted to give you the website. http://fortwaynerugbyclub.org/

Dan,

I suppose everyone is entitled to their opinion and I respect that. Here's how I feel though:

Boring?: It's pretty much non-stop action and there is only a 10 minute half. In football you spend at least half the time on the sidelines as a cheerleader. Most players on the pitch (field) will get double-digit tackles and nearly every player touches the ball at some point during the game.

To(o) many rules?: Are you saying that football has less rules? In rugby, there is no penalty for twidling your thumbs on the line or for pass interference. No illegal offense.

I played Rugby for Anderson University for a couple of years. It is a great way to get conditioned. As for too many rules, naw you just get used to them. Plus I scored more from the forward spot than I have in my whole career in football.(I have always played the line or Lb) Have some great memories from Rugby. Beating IU, Purdue, Ball State, and ISU in the same season. Making the Indiana Jr Team only to be told I was ust past the age limit. Nothing but great memories.

Well I guess I haven't watched much rugby but all I remember is that when I played for the Tornados in Carmel, there was a rugby team that shared a practice field with us. They looked so non-athletic and slow and the ball never moved far from midfield. I remember thinking to myself "man I'm glad I don't play rugby".
But maybe that's not that case with your team.

That is because they were the Carmel Men's team. Not known for being the best. Watch some of the international stuff. The UK and Aussie leagues are great. Dan, what year were you with the Tornados? I am having a hard time placing a face with the name.

I played with the Tornados in '04. I was 2nd-string TE. Can't remember what # I was. I didn't finish the year though, I left after that disaster in Nashville. I didn't want to be part of a team that was willing to walk off the field before a game was finished.

Understand totally. The 9 of us who stayed on the field after they scored felt very alone. I very strongly considered retirement after that, but my wife talked me out of it. I was #90 d-lineman. Good to see soem of us grunts are still out there.