Men's rugby plays for love of game

Away from the hordes of screaming fans and the limelight synonymous with mainstream Tufts athletics, members of the various club sports organizations at Tufts simply play for the love of the game. In the past few years, few clubs have achieved the success of the men's rugby team. Two seasons ago, the team completed an undefeated campaign, while last year, the Jumbos suffered their only loss of the last two years, to Stonehill, a team they defeated earlier in the year, in the finals of the New England Championships.

"Since I got here three years ago, we've definitely gotten more serious," senior captain Rich Nightingale said. "After the past two years, we all realize we can have an undefeated season, so we're definitely focused on that."

Tufts' substantial international presence bodes well for the rugby team, as the team is a hybrid of experienced players from Europe and Americans, some of whom never played the sport before entering college. Junior Aubrey Duffy, last year's captain and a former member of England's under 18 national team, is pleased to watch the shifting demographics of the squad.

"When I first arrived on the Hill, the team was half international," Duffy said. "But the last few years many more Americans have come out. Some are former athletes who were injured or couldn't keep up with the demands of a varsity sport, and some are people just looking to have fun and learn a new game."

This year's edition should reap the benefits of an experienced roster, led by a core of senior forwards, Zack Crawley, Ken Kozlow, David Needles and Craig Perkins. The team is coached by graduate student Mike Abanzo, a Tufts alum, and former schoolboy star in Britain.

"It's great having an experienced leader," Nightingale said. "It makes a world of difference."

Tufts plays a relatively short regular season, with seven Saturday games beginning on Sept. 28. If the Jumbos finish first or second in their league, they advance to the New England Tournament. Success at New Englands ensures a trip to the Northeastern Tournament.

The Jumbos waste no time getting into the thick of things, as their first game is against arch-enemy Stonehill.

"I hate Stonehill," senior Charles Thornton said. "I want to destroy them... we will pulverize them and beat them Jumbo style."

There is, however, a softer side to Jumbo rugby. "After games we always make an effort to hangout with the other team for a while," Duffy said. "There's a very social aspect to rubgy, especially after you've spent hours trying to bite the other team's ears off."

"On the pitch, (field) we have a great time, and off the pitch we have a great time," Nightingale said.

Considering the brutal nature of rugby, a sport similar to football in nature but perhaps more dangerous because protective gear is not worn, injuries are common. According to Nightengale, however, the physical nature of the sport doesn't affect the team's outward appearance. "In addition to our athletic prowess, we are also, by far, the best looking team on this campus," he said.

"I have actually become better looking since I started playing rubgy," said junior contributor Craig Vargas.

The men's rugby team practices every day of the week from 4-6 p.m. and encourages everyone who is interested, experienced or not, to come play.

"We have players of all different skill levels," Nightingale said. "It's a great game and a great time. Even if you've never played before, it's a fun way to meet new people and have fun."

Tufts plays its first home game on Oct. 5, against Bridgewater State