Why rugby?

Of all the sports played in the USA, why focus on rugby? There are so many other sports that are more accessible - football, basketball, baseball, etc.

Rugby first caught my eye because my niece and nephew played youth rugby. The niece dropped out but the nephew was consumed by it once he progressed to the tackle game. I didn't understand why.
It got more intense as he got older. He transformed himself to be a better player.
Looking around, I found guys all around me who were in this secret rugby club. My cousins in Ireland played and were fervent fans. Why?

Rugby is familiar... and then not.
It has touchdowns (trys) and a big ball kinda like a football, but bigger.
There is a lot of running and plenty of contact. Kicking, too, and a huddle-like set piece called a scrum. Similar in that respect.

But different. 
The obvious difference is the absence of helmets and pads.
Helmets protect against skull fractures; rugby changed the game so you couldn't use the head for tackling.
Pads distribute the force of a tackle; rugby tackles require a low tackle, where you don't have pads anyway.

Rugby doesn't stop. The game is continuous. No timeouts, no yellow flags for commercials. You have to be fit to play rugby for the full eighty minutes.
There are no substitutions. If a player comes out of the game, they are replaced and may not return. No rest and recuperation.
Players play defense and offense. No separate or special teams. Kickers tackle, forwards pass. Everyone runs. 
Coaches prepare the team; the players play the game. No interference from the coaches on the pitch.

This is hardcore. But there's something else, a spirit, an ethos that is the soul of rugby.




It turns out that there is a gentleman's code involved.
Play as hard as you can, but play fair.
Play according to the Laws, that is, with discipline.
Respect the other team; assume they are working as hard as you are.
Learn what you can from them.
Hope for a hard game because that is the only one worth playing.
If you mess up, don't whine about it; 'fess up, learn from your mistakes and figure out how to do better next time.
Respect the ref; the only appropriate response to a ref is 'Yes, sir' or 'No, sir'.
If you are called out for a fault, take it like an adult. No arguments, sulking or tantrums.
The game is never mean-spirited or cynical.

After the game, go out for drinks and relive the game together.




Apparently rugby is a brother- or sister-hood that lasts throughout life.

I'm an outsider as a photographer, but I get my share of respect from the people in the community.
We share a mutual admiration for the game, which I give back to them the only way I know how.

It works.