What People Think Rugby is Like..and it is (sometimes)

Folks that have heard of rugby, but have not seen a game tend to think that rugby is a brutal sport played by uncouth ruffians that do nothing but brawl and drink beer. They would not be entirely wrong.

I will not lie to you folks. I've seen a ruffian or two in my day when I played. There may have been a few brawls. Uncouth? Yeah, I'd say that described us pretty good; I think I heard someone call us that when we went into the martini bar straight after practice one time.

The game is so much more than that, and all you have to do is actually watch a single game to see that. I'll never forget my first. It was back at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy during my freshman year to be exact. I watched the team play a local men's club, but before I could return to my room I was told to hang out.

When the field equipment was put away we proceeded down what was called the Ho Chi Minh Trail (if you ever saw it you'd understand) till we got to the park (my first time going AWOL!). Moments later one of the seniors pulled up with a couple kegs, and moments after that the opposing team pulled up.

I'm thinking 'oh **it. There was a pretty good fight towards the end of the game so I assumed that these guys were coming to finish what was started on the pitch (since we kicked their butts on the metaphorical scoreboard).

The bus door opened and sure enough the wild eyed, crazy haired dude (who I later learned was a lock) walked to the door and screamed--Is everybody happy?

Before I knew it the crowd responded with 'Yes we're *ucking happy!' and the party was on.

I later learned that the two lines were from a popular song, and that singing songs were common and most post-game parties which both teams attended. I was shocked because in all my years of playing football I could not imagine doing that with the opposition.

The logic was simple--what happens on the field stays on the field. After the game we are all rugby players that are tired, hurting, hungry, and could really use a good beer (or even a bad cold one).

So keep that in mind when you watch the above video of a fight between Georgia and Belgium during a recent World Cup qualifier  Packies--be proud. From what I can see the props on the white team are aggressive as can be and never back down. One of the flankers is looking pretty good too, but then he does himself a huge disservice when he backs down from a fullback--a fullback!

What's really cool in this fight that involved practically both complete teams--only two yellow cards.

I love rugby.


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