Loyal rugby fans of cult sport spread the word across Lowcountry

Loyal fans of cult sport spread the word across Lowcountry

Rugby arguably is the second most popular sport in the world, but in the Southeast, not so much.

Actually, that's an understatement.

Like soccer 25 years ago, the more international game of rugby has been on the fringe in the states where football, baseball and NASCAR continue to occupy the attention of the masses. Until now, rugby has drawn only cult following, but those small-but-loyal bands of devotees have been spreading the seeds of their sport for years.

Those seeds are starting to sprout. Take, for example, our own backyard.

Since 1973, the Charleston Outlaws Rugby Football Club has provided a home for rugby players and fans from near and far, yet have remained relatively obscure in the Lowcountry.

Currently, volunteer coach Chris Greenslade says the club has 300 social members and 50 playing members. Of the playing members, about 70 percent are Americans and 30 percent international, including "three South Africans, an Irishman, a Welshman, a Kiwi and a Japanese research scientist."

The Outlaws have been highly competitive on the national club scene, qualifying for the national club championship tournament five of the past seven years, reaching the sweet 16 three times, the elite eight twice and the final four once.

"It's an amazing record for a club this small," says Greenslade.

Over the years, the Outlaws have helped spin off a women's team, the Charleston

Hurricanes, and collegiate teams at the College of Charleston and The Citadel. Most recently, the Outlaws have fostered a high school-age team, the Charleston Warriors, based out of Burke High School.

Yet one of the club's biggest accomplishments comes on Aug. 9.

The Outlaws played a major role in bringing a Michelin Challenge Rugby match, the first international rugby exhibition played in South Carolina, to Blackbaud Stadium on Daniel Island. The U.S. national team, the USA Eagles, will play the French professional team, ASM Clermont-Auvergne.

"I would have never thought this could happen," says Outlaws President John Wagner. "Locally, this will be the first time ever to see high-level rugby."

Greenslade and Wagner hope the exhibition will achieve several goals, including bringing recognition to the club on its 35th anniversary. The club hopes a strong turnout, especially a sellout of the stadium's 5,000 seats, will demonstrate rugby's regional appeal to their partners in the endeavor, USA Rugby and the Charleston Battery/Blackbaud Stadium. If so, it could make a strong case for more games being brought to town.

Bill Bell, president of the Palmetto Rugby Union and a Citadel coach, adds that the game will help dispel the stereotype of rugby players as "gorillalike knuckle draggers who like to drink a lot of beer."

"Rugby is a thinking man's or woman's game. It's constantly moving, and it can change in an instant," says Bell, adding that the game requires more finesse than rugby's cousin, American football. "You have to work on your technique. If I'm not wearing pads, I'm not going to hit you as hard."

Also contrary to football, Bell says many rugby players are well into their 30s and 40s. In fact, one member has been playing on the Outlaws since its formation and is 51.

Yet, to be expected, rugby players get beaten up. Broken bones, cuts and joint injuries are common among longtime players such as Wagner, who brushes it off with, "Those things happen in any sport."

Rugby: A Quick Primer

Played in the U.S. since about 1870, rugby is the precursor of American football and played a role in the creation of basketball as an indoor alternative to rugby when New England winters required an indoor game.

Rugby differs from football in that rugby is played at a fast pace, with few stoppages and continuous possession changes. Also, all players can run, pass, kick, catch the ball, tackle and defend. Also unlike football, rugby is not male-dominated. Nearly 40 percent of all U.S. players are female.

The Game

Field of play: The sport is played on a field, called a pitch, which is longer and wider than a football field.

The ball: Rugby balls are oval in shape, but rounder and less pointed than footballs, minimizing erratic bounces.

Players and positions: Rugby has 15 players on each team. Everyone on pitch plays offense and defense and the number of each player signifies that player's specific position. Players number 1 through 8 are forwards, while players number 9 through 15 are backs. Jersey numbers above 15 are substitute players.

Starting the game: Rugby begins with a kick-off to the opponent from mid-field.

Moving the ball: Like soccer, rugby is continuous. It does not have downs. Players run the ball until tackled, step out of bounds or run beyond the goal line. The ball can be passed laterally or backward, but never forward. Any player can kick the ball and typically does so to advance it or to get out of poor field position.

Scoring: Four ways to score. A try is like a touchdown, except the ball actually has to touch the ground, and is worth five points. A conversion follows a try and involves kicking a ball through the goal post for two points. A penalty kick follows a major rule violation and adds up to three points. A drop goal also is worth three points.

Restarting play: Play is stopped after the ball goes out of bounds or because of an infraction. If the ball goes out of bounds, it's restarted with a line-out. Both teams form a line perpendicular to the touchline and one meter apart. A player from the non-offending team calls a play and throws the ball into the air between the two lines and players from each team try to gain possession of the ball. Perhaps the most uniquely rugby formation, a scrum is a method to restart the game after the referee has called a minor penalty. A bound group of players from each team form a tunnel with the opposition. The nonoffending team puts the ball into the tunnel by rolling it into the middle. Each team pushes forward until one player is able to hook the ball with the feet and push it to the back row players of his team.

Common terms

Put-in: Rolling the ball down the center of the scrum tunnel.

sevens: Abbreviated game that follows same rules, except teams consist of seven people.

tap and go: A gentle kick to oneself, followed by a pick up, used to restart the game.

Reach David Quick at 937-5516 or dquick@postandcourier.com.

---

Notice about comments:
The Post and Courier is pleased to offer readers the ability to comment on stories. We expect our readers to engage in lively, yet civil discourse. The Post and Courier does not edit user submitted statements and we cannot promise that readers will not occasionally find offensive or inaccurate comments posted in the comments area. Responsibility for the statements posted lies with the person submitting the comment, not postandcourier.com. If you find a comment that is objectionable, please click "suggest removal" and we will review it for possible removal. Please be reminded, however, that in accordance with our Terms of Use and federal law, we are under no obligation to remove any third party comments posted on our Web site.
Full terms and conditions can be read here.

---

Comments

This article has  8 comment(s)