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Columns | 07.12.12
A year after touring South Africa and worrying constantly about whether the
level of competition was the right level. In South Africa, it turned out
fine – three games were very close, and only one, the first one, was a
blowout win for the tourists. Then in England during March they again
struck a good balance, although a nasty bout of flu... Read More
Columns | 07.12.12
A year after touring South Africa and worrying constantly about whether the
level of competition was the right level. In South Africa, it turned out
fine – three games were very close, and only one, the first one, was a
blowout win for the tourists. Then in England during March they again
struck a good balance, although a nasty bout of flu... Read More
Columns | 07.02.12
The induction of the 1920 and 1924 USA rugby teams into the IRB Hall of
Fame is a significant nod from the sport's international governing body
toward the contributions the USA has made to the game.
Along with helping popularize the use of the overhand lineout through and
scrumhalf spin pass, the United States won two gold medals in the Olympic
Games, in 1920 and... Read More
Columns | 06.26.12
I’ve seen a lot of Eagles games.
Some where the USA team has over-performed, and some where they’ve
under-performed. I’ve been disappointed and pleasantly surprised. I am not
sure there has been a time where I have felt the emotions I felt watching
the Eagles play Saturday against Italy.
Never have the
Eagles been put under that sort of pressure – playing a man down for 34... Read More
Columns | 06.24.12
Every now and then I start to get somewhat frustrated with the
international refereeing in USA games.
I see borderline calls go, consistently, against the USA. I see players
yellow carded for accidental knock-ons, and conversions that missed get
called good. I see yellow cards given for infractions ignored on the other
side.
I start to complain about
it, but the complaints... Read More
Columns | 06.21.12
The structure for the second USA Rugby Collegiate 7s National
Championships has been announced, and the new date has also been released.
There are some interesting changes.
For starters, USA Rugby continues to provide incentive for men’s teams to
hurry up and get in a conference, as they are only awarding automatic bids
to conference-based tournaments that have a minimum of seven... Read More
Columns | 06.18.12
(By the way, it was very nice to see Infinity Park essentially sold out,
and word is BBVA Compass Stadium in Houston is going to welcome a very big
crowd next weekend.)
After two games under Mike Tolkin, the USA is 1-1, and has scored 61 points
and seven tries. Those are pretty big numbers when... Read More
Columns | 06.11.12
Each team converted two. Canada kicked three penalties, the USA two, so the
difference was goalkicking, right?
Well, of course it was. James Pritchard kicked a touchline conversion that
helped his team, and Will Holder missed a very difficult one. Holder also
missed a penalty kick, although not by much; Canada did, too, but that miss
led to a try.
The point,
then, is that... Read More
Columns | 06.01.12
Is this where we say "we're all winners!"
You know I won't do that.
I hope.
OK,
after all the previews, talk, profiles, articles about bands, articles
about friends, articles about launch parties … it’s here.
The USA 7s Collegiate Rugby Championship will kick off Saturday morning in
front of thousands of fans at PPL Park in Philadelphia, and on NBC. The
tournament... Read More
Columns | 05.30.12
Throw in the towel. The DI-A competition is wobbly, at best, with a
weak chin, and instead of using everything from smelling salts to razor
blades to keep the two-year competition in the ring, USA Rugby needs to cut
bait and move onto the next fight.
Though it appears USA Rugby brass is willing to significantly shakeup the
competition’s conference lines to make things work, a... Read More