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Rugby: Not your average full-contact sport

Ben LaMothe,
Grand Central Magazine, Editor-in-Chief

Port Huron senior, Dave Hendrickson, pushes Ryan Marsh out of the way while breaking away with the ball during CMU's the Exiles' last game for the fall season at the intermural fields. Photograph by Sophie Hays
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It’s about 50 degrees outside and my hands are numb.

The clouds overhead are blended grey and white. Wind whips all around me, causing my nose to drip and my hair to stand on end. Wearing jeans, t-shirt and a denim jacket, I feel horribly underdressed. I join the huddled masses on the sideline, noting that everyone else wore layers and most were wearing gloves.

On the field, however, is a different story. About a dozen men wearing nothing more than a t-shirt and matching shorts are running up and down the field. They tackle each other with so much force that after each play, you’re convinced it will be some unlucky guy’s last. If this sounds like American football, don’t be fooled: there are no pads here. Only cleats, the occasional mouth guard, and a lot of wet, cold grass.

This is rugby.

It all started in 1823 when a young Englishman named William Webb Ellis took the ball into his hands while playing a game of soccer at Rugby School in Rugby, England. According to the school’s website, Ellis then ran with the ball, thus creating the sport known today as rugby.

Almost two centuries later, it is still referred to as a “gentleman’s game,” despite its overtly violent nature. And on this cold, cloudy, and wet October day, that virtue remains intact. In its final scrimmage of the season, the Central Michigan University Exiles are playing the Calvin College Knights. The Exiles are leading 7-1 – or 35-5 in rugby union rules – and sure, there are hoots and hollering coming from the sideline, but nothing you could call unsportsmanlike. It’s a game so the objective is to win– but it’s also about respect.

“Rugby is very sophisticated,” said Justin Hickey, a CMU alumnus. Hickey has been playing rugby for about 10 years, starting in high school. He also played with the Exiles as a student. The Exiles have existed at CMU for over 30 years.

“As rough as it is, teams have a mutual respect for safety of one another,” he explained. “It’s tradition at every level across the globe for home teams to host visiting teams to a post match meal. It’s like a world-fraternity. Many lifelong friendships are fostered through rugby.”

An ignored sport

John Ruggero embraces senior Randall Ososki after completing his final game with Central Michigan University's rugby team, The Exiles. The Exiles beat Calvin College 37-8 during their last scrimmage in November at the intramural fields. Photograph by Sophie Hays
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If you’ve seen the movie Fight Club or even read the book, you know that the idea they’re trying to push is to overcome your fears. In this case, they’re encouraging a young Edward Norton to overcome his fear of being beaten mercilessly by a man twice his size.

With rugby the same idea applies.

Unlike in American football where most of the players are six and a half feet of muscle and fury, rugby players come in all sizes. Some are gym rats who spend their free time pumping iron; but there are also those who exercise by going for a run. This creates a dynamic also found in basketball, where the smaller guys do all the running and passing, while the bigger guys stand under the basket and make the highlight-reel dunks.

But the truth is, in rugby the size of a guy has no bearing on how hard he will be hit. If you have the ball, you’re a fair target.

For two 40-minute quarters, a dozen guys run up and down the field. They pass the ball; they kick it; they run with it; they fall on it; but most importantly they, fight for it.

Sporting what appears to be a freshly shaved mo-hawk, Exiles president Eric Barrett takes the field for the second half along with the others on the sideline. Those in for the first half now have a chance to catch their breath and have a drink. And judging by the quickness with which the players put on every layer of clothing in sight, it’s safe to say that even though they are running all over, it’s still pretty cold out on the field.

“Many Americans haven't taken interest simply because they do not know it is even around,” Barrett said. “Attention is turned to the more beloved American sports such as football, basketball, and baseball. Rugby is growing slowly but surely in the U.S., but has far to go before competing with sports that are already established.”

Considering all of the violence and mind-games associated with rugby, it would make sense that the same people who have embraced basketball, hockey, and pigskin football would also appreciate rugby. However that has not been the case, as rugby is widely regarded in America as a sport below soccer, which is something considering how poorly soccer is regarded in the U.S., David Beckham or not.

Despite this, American football is taking hold in countries where rugby is a dominant sport. NFL-Europe recently called it quits, but considering the NFL put on a game in England between the Miami Dolphins and the New York Giants at the new 90,000-seat Wembley Stadium in October – which sold out in a matter of minutes – it’s a curious thing why American football is gaining ground in Europe, yet rugby remains looked down-upon in America.

Port Huron senior Dave Hendrickson steals a kiss from his girlfriend, Anchor Bay junior, Allison Jakubowski, on the sidelines before returning to play in CMU's last rugby game against Calvin college for the fall season. "I like coming to watch him play," said Jakubowski, "No matter how cold it is." Photograph by Sophie Hays
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However, Dr. David Jesuit, a professor of European politics and society at Central Michigan University, suggests this all may be smoke and mirrors.

“I think rugby is bigger here than American football is in Europe. They do have the NFL in Europe, but there you have Americans going over to Europe to play an American game. Here you have Americans playing a European game,” he said.

Rooted in tradition

Like with most collegiate rugby teams, they are not university-sanctioned. They’re club teams formed by like-minded people. At Saturday’s scrimmage, there wasn’t a referee in sight. Instead a non-playing member from one of the teams ran up and down the field, blowing whistles for fouls and indicating when a goal was scored.

But what they lack in official acknowledgement, they make up for in tradition.

“Each team or club is much like a family, each with their own traditions and values,” Barrett said. “Many of these traditions carry throughout all of rugby where each team may have their own variation.”

The goodwill applies to more than just your team. “I can look up any club in the Michigan union and find a helping hand if needed just as our club would offer help to a player from another club. Whether it is being able to practice or play with their club for a time or a place to stay, rugby players help each other,” Barrett added.

There are about 50 Michigan rugby union members. Among them are colleges, high schools, trade unions, and general non-affiliated groups. Of the 50, 12 are women’s teams – including CMU’s women’s team, the CMU Rebels.

Never stop training

The match ends and both teams file past each other, arms outstretched to give and receive high-fives in congratulation for a game well-played. On the sidelines, players form parallel lines for those on the field to walk through, like a portal between two different worlds.

Meanwhile Barrett is still on the field. Surrounded by players, he wipes his face and takes a drink. I try to approach him to ask him a few questions, but he can’t be bothered. He mumbles something about getting something set up and walks away. Soon his voice is booming over all of the side chatter. He’s yelling to stop players from leaving.

The game is over. Practice has just begun.