American player in the sense that he plays in America and is eligible to represent the US. He's been here since high school anyway.

I'm not going to search for examples but it's just something I've noticed. And like I said, you're entitled to your opinion.

7s camp squad before Glasgow. Scully and Bender still out with injury.



Satavu is a new name and an interesting one given the previous discussion of Holder on here. Anyone seen him play?

Nope. Interesting article on him though: http://www.tyndall.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123291170

Plenty of man-love in the comments.

I think we found our next 10:

The funny part, his kicking is more reliable than your current 10.

Ruggamatrix America do the college playoffs preview.

http://ruggamatrix-america-radio.s3.ama ... ayoffs.mp3

For the aforementioned Mr. Holder, Goff says he thinks he should be the division MVP.

You can't pull things out of thin air and explain it with a "it's just what I've noticed" - absolute rubbish

Old board doesn't have a search function. Sorry I don't stalk you and keep a log of every time you put down a player you've played with/against.

Stop making crap up man, seriously.

Just calling it like I see it. Getting back to the topic, give us a list of your top 6 USA-eligible flyhalves, in order.

As you guys have stated a number of times, we're hurting big time there. I'm up for trying anyone new at this stage...

Have you seen much of JP Eloff? Really wish Davenport played D1-A so they played better opponents. Similar problem when judging Holder since Army's division is the weakest one in D1-A.

James Paterson has played a bit of 10 for Glendale this year and can kick. But playing flyhalf in D1 against local opposition is a lot different than internationally obviously.

Seen anyone else in D1 this year that impressed?

Playing in the South you can understand when I say that the quality of 10's I face here leave a lot to be desired. Unfortunately for the U.S. these specialist positions are going to still take a few years before a real quality #10 is produced with kids starting in high school at the earliest here. I've only heard of JP and Holder, haven't seen the play. Seen a little bit of Patterson and I think he's more of a 15 isn't he? Only playing 10 when Malifa isn't there?

Speaking of South rugby, I went against my better judgement and made myself available for the South All-Stars next weekend to play against the Bermuda national side at Life U after the Life/Penn State game...with Life and most other D1 clubs not sending players I'm playing with mostly collegiate and some D2 and D3 guys...should be interesting

Always cool to play rep side rugby. Best of luck. Are the South jerseys the stars and bars version of the American flag atrocities from last summer?



Yeah, he's definitely more of a back 3 type. He played 13 in high school if I remember correctly.

Definitely going to take a bit of time for some quality 10s to come through. And like has been discussed here, the good ones can still be lost to soccer scholarships or even can become kickers in football. But the big increase in youth rugby can only be good for the future of the position. Looking forward to an Eagle 10 from ACE Rugby Academy in a few years.

Here's a little footage of him playing 10. Not a ton to judge by and pretty clear they were on the front foot the whole game but he did score 5 tries as a flyhalf and had some nice balls to put guys into space.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUUZGLTQ ... ure=relmfu

I hope it's not the same jerseys...

I'll have to re-open ACE in Florida since I'm moving there this summer, which probably also means the end of my playing days

Florida has better athletes anyway so great place to set it up.

You can always lace the boots up for a random tournament, surely? I need to get back to playing while I still can. Maybe I should train for this? http://www.maccabiusa.com/seclect-a-spo ... y/122.html

We've been playing for a long time and we've never had one.

You Jewish?

Enough to qualify. According to Gainline, Zach Test and Dallen Stanford will be playing too so the standard may be a bit high for me.

I was gonna tell you to do it. Beyond the experience it would be worth it to see DD get banned. Again.

This is pretty cool.


http://www.rugbymag.com/index.php?optio ... Itemid=392

Found out this week my club will be hosting a mostly college 7s tournament in mid-May to take advantage of teams wanting to play a warmup tournament for the CRC in June, and I may get to play against some of them. I know we'll have N.C. State, Maryland, some non-CRC teams like East Carolina and North Carolina, and probably some more CRC sides that don't have to travel too far. Can provide a scouting report on the CRC teams here after it's done.

Speaking of which, anyone know when they'll announce CRC pools?



who? (yes, I know what it stands for, but who?)

Probably the same guys that were talked about in the Play Rugby USA article in the American Airlines magazine last month.

USA Rugby Twitter (5 hours ago) says they've sold 600 tickets today alone for the Italy-USA match on their Living Social deal. Houston is a good sports town and also home of the largest 15s crowd in the US in the modern era. Between that and the game being played at a brand new stadium, wouldn't be surprised to see the largest 15s crowd in the last 10 years for a USA test.

It was but it was a bunch of expat South Africans from all over the country to see South Africans play. I don't think the Italian rugby team carries the same cachet with Italians living in New Jersey.

If they get 10000, I'll call it a success. I think that's an attainable goal.

I think they'll get 10k easy. The stadium is still new and you'll be able to see it for half the price of an MLS game.

Looking at prices, I saw New Zealand are playing there a few weeks prior. Against El Salvador in soccer!

Hope so. Looked over at the Dynamo board on BigSoccer and it seems some of their fans bought tickets. Just a question of general non-Mexican sports fan in Houston and how many they buy.



Not surprising. There's a ton of expat money here for Latin American national teams, they travel from all over the country for the games, and teams like the Salvadorans can make more money here than they can at home.

Oh it makes plenty of sense, just found it coincidental NZ will be there right before the city's first rugby test in ages.

I don't know why neutral venues aren't used in rugby more, the Islands should try to host 6N teams in NZ for example.

Didn't know they'd been doing this, but some highlights videos of games between teams that are in the Division I-A playoffs with Rugbymag contributors narrating.

Nice in a way so you can look at the fields all these teams play at.

Army vs. Penn State.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiLErYVdKyI

If BYU and Penn State play a game against one another it may get a little confusing. Also, I guess it's what you'd expect when your whole team has to pass PFTs, but Army has a small pack. Holder looks to be an excellent kicker.

Life vs. Arkansas State.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hA0gX0Rrx1g

Yep they are good. BYU's site has a lot of their full games by the way, including their most recent one against CU. They are very good about getting them up quickly after the match to the point that if their 1/4 isn't streamed live or shown on TV, I'll just avoid the result for a few hours and go on their site. These might be the most interesting top level college playoffs (counting D1 til CPD/D1-A formed) ever.

UCLA - first 1/4 final since I've been following the sport (2002 and on), as well as increased donations from their alumni and a good coach in former Canadian international Scott Stewart. Could be a program on the rise, especially if they can get some help from admissions.

BYU - the favorite, includes future USA player Ryan Roundy, Manti Teo's brother Malosi at wing, former Waikato age grade and academy (?) as well as BYU football player Paul Lasike.

Utah - gave Cal a close game, ultimately lost by 20 to BYU but kept it close early and always talented.

St Mary's - the undisputed #1 team in NorCal this year after beating Cal which also helped legitimize this year's champ, been building nicely for awhile on the back of the high school scene in the spiritual home of American rugby.

Army - lots of recent discussion of Holder, can he take them deep without Lady Gaga?

Arky St - how many former Craven Week players does it take to screw in a lightbulb?

Life - dominant against weak competition and they have a likely home semi against BYU

Penn St - always decent, never great. Probably the least interesting team in the 1/4s.

and everyone's favorite prop

Does Mikey have a future in rugby after college ?

He has a future at Coney Island on July 4.

Congratulations to saffer13. Best of luck at regionals in Pittsburgh. It's an awesome field and facility.

Some other club DI scores (everything courtesy of Rugbymag):

Santa Monica def. Utah Brothers 36-24
Boston Irish Wolfhounds def. Pittsburgh Harlequins 31-14
Mystic River def. Schuylkill River 28-25 (surprises me how close Schuylkill were)

DII Men College Round of 16

Colgate 29-25 Bentley
Salisbury 83-6 Sewanee
UW-Whitewater 42-7 Central Missouri
Towson 21-14 Boston University
East Carolina 30-14 UNC-Wilmington (ARGH!
Cal State Long Beach 14-11 Sierra College (why can't he just call them Long Beach State?)
Lindenwood 43-5 UW-Milwaukee
Utah Valley 30-5 Santa Rosa JC

D1-AA Men College Round of 16

Dartmouth 75-5 Shippensburg
Florida State 34-12 Florida
Wisconsin 49-3 Missouri
Stony Brook 24-22 Northeastern

Congrats Saffer!

FSU over Florida is a bit of an upset isn't it?

Ebner got drafted. Congrats to Nate but hope you're back in rugby soon.

Watched Norfolk destroy New York. Norfolk played just about the whole match a man down after ref sent off a player for a hard tackle. The player was gone before I got into the stadium so I missed the drama. Score was like 44-26 something like that but it wasnt as close as score sounded. Norfolk looked strong to say the least. Got a kick out of some of the old boys cheering thier club on. Good times. Great place for a match at the Sportsplex.