Best of the Rest

It’s time for another collection of articles spinning around the world wide webisphere. Of course the biggest thing since sliced bread is the arrival of Major League Rugby. There’s some pieces on individuals, the Springbok test in DC, high school rugby, post-rugby careers, recent controversies involving Rugby Canada and D1A Rugby, and to finish it off a feel-good piece from Scotty ‘Sumo’ Stevenson. Admittedly we’re a little (a lot) light on South American content this time… we’ll make it up to you next time!

 

A Very Monumental Occasion – by Tom Dart / The Guardian

“Lower down in importance were the imperfect pom-pom to cheerleader ratio and the growls emanating at quasi-random from the public address system that, however on-brand, sounded less like the terrifying battle roar of a sharp-fanged predator than the interference noise you get during phone conversations when your train goes into a tunnel.”

 

Seattle’s Hottest new Startup is no Tech Company – by John Saul / The Seattle Times

“Although he says he never expects to collect money owed him from that experience, he reflects favorably on professional rugby. It’s important in improving the American game, he says, giving the best players a chance to square off against each other.”

 

Arrows will compete with Wolfpack for Toronto rugby fans – by Morgan Campbell / The Toronto Star

“While the final score pleased Winokur, MLR attendance figures impressed him even more. Utah drew 9,186 to a March 30 home game, while the Toronto match attracted nearly 5,000. Winokur said the low prices and fast-paced games that sell MLR tickets in Utah and Houston will endear the Arrows to sports fans in Toronto.”

 

Former US Rugby Captain turns to WWE – by Alan Dymock / CNN

“He is also helping out with academies, helping to nail down a pathway for American youths to progress towards this new elite league and ultimately the Eagles test team. Clever’s contract, however, includes a clause and he has another meeting with the WWE in May. If the offer to step into the ring made financial sense, he would take it.”

 

One of Canada’s Greatest – by Patrick Johnston / The Province

“It’s electric in there, the stadium is in a valley, so the sound cascades down. The people in the South Stand, they’ve had more beers than you can count. The roar is unbelievable. If you can’t get up when there’s 40,000 people screaming, you’re in the wrong sport.”

 

The Hindú Phenomenon – by Alejo Miranda / La Nacion

“The adaptation is easily understood by knowing his occupation: Nicolás Leiva is an officer of the Argentine National Gendarmerie and has to deal daily with a reality much tougher than the one that opposes him, for example, the Belgrano scrum.”

 

D1A Changes Semi Final Match-ups – by Alex Goff / FloRugby

“This likely won’t look good in the eyes of many fans. Cal gets to skip playing at Life – a match-up that was going to be difficult for the Bears and one the Running Eagles were already preparing for prior to the change.”

 

Financial Caution urged over Boks’ US test – by Rob Houwing / Sport 24

“With a Baabaas (non-Test) game there is always some risk, some guaranteed income. This one doesn’t involve risk; there is guaranteed income coming from the Wales Test. All the countries in the world have these extra Tests to make money.”

 

Rugby Canada is Taking a Hit for raising Registration Fees – by Ryan Patrick Jones / CBC

“Vansen said Rugby Canada receives more than $2 million per year from World Rugby, the sport’s international governing body, as part of a “high performance investment,” over half of which is dependent on whether or not the men’s team qualifies for the World Cup.”

 

High School Rugby struggles with numbers – by Mark Bryson / Waterloo Region Record

“In its heyday, the WCSSAA league had 16 teams competing in its senior league, Cressman said. That number included Catholic schools that played in the circuit as guests. Last year, seven senior teams competed in the WCSSAA league.”

 

Early Sports Specialization is Eroding Youth Sports – by JJ Adams / The Province

“As the system has become increasingly more ‘adultified,’ there has been an atrophy of equal value in the numbers of children playing sports. A U.S. poll showed a 70 per cent attrition rate of children who quit sports for life by the age of 13, most of whom cited a lack of fun as their reason.”

 

It’s time for the Next Chapter, I’ve had to hang up my boots – by Adam Hughes / South Wales Argus

“I’ve been vocal to anyone who’s asked me about the potential for head injuries in the game now. All players becoming heavier is one thing, but they are also getting a lot stronger and more explosive. A strength and conditioning team’s success is a medical team’s nightmare.”

 

Six Reasons to Hire a Rugby Player – by Matt Symons

“We have a very tight schedule during the training week, which means that meetings cannot afford to overrun and solutions must be reached in the set time. We don’t have time to skip around problem areas and hope that they sort themselves out.”

 

The Simple Joys of Rugby – by Scotty Stevenson / RugbyPass

“I’ve watched rugby with my children. When the All Blacks are playing they will watch the haka, and then take their leave, returning periodically to check on the score. They are what you might call fringe fans. They are like this with all sports. But they play musical instruments so I am totally down with that.”