Amidst the commotion surrounding the beginning of varsity sports, a less well-known but equally demanding sport is gearing up for its own start.
Tufts men's rugby team is one of the most successful club teams on campus, earning a second-place finish last year in the highly competitive New England Championship. Despite many experienced players graduating from Tufts, particularly from the team's back line, this season has good prospects.
"It's a rebuilding year," said senior captain Jon Rissin. "We've gotten some good rookies though and with returners from last year stepping it up, it's looking pretty good. We're feeling confident."
As well as an influx of new players, the team has a new man at the helm, coach Rory O'Neill. O'Neill, a professor at Tufts Dental School, hails from Ireland and has had previous coaching experience in addition to being a rugby referee.
"[O'Neill] knows his stuff," Junior Rookie Captain Matt Hill said. "Any coach has a big impact. Having a coach is a solidifying factor for a team. There's only so much the captains and experienced players can do."
Tufts starts its relatively short season, approximately nine games depending on results in the playoffs, this Friday at Wentworth.
Tufts drew 7-7 with Wentworth last season in a match played in a torrential downpour. Provided there is better weather, the team's style of play matches up well with Wentworth's.
"They tend to be bigger guys," Hill said. "Tufts is more of a running team."
"As long as we do what we need to do on the field, we should win," added Rissin.
A note on the rules of the game: a rugby team has fifteen players on the field at one time. These fifteen are divided into a front line and a back line. The front line tends to be the bigger, stronger players, while the back line consists of the smaller, faster players. A player in a position called scrum-half is responsible for linking the front and back lines and deciding who receives the ball in order to make an offensive move. The ball can never be passed forward, only laterally or backwards, although it can be kicked forward.
There is more to Jumbo rugby than what happens on the field. After most games, the team will frequently go over to someone's house to relax and possibly have a cookout.
"There is a very social side to rugby," said Rissin. "During the game, we are beating up on each other, but afterwards it's all good, and we invite the other team over to hang out and have some food."
At Tufts, rugby is a sport that attracts a diverse mix of players and skill levels. Half of the players are American students who have no experience but are eager to learn the sport. The other half is comprised of veteran players from both the United States and abroad, especially from countries such as England and Ireland where there exists an established rugby culture.
The team practices from 4 to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday on the field past the remains of the South tennis and basketball courts. Interested students are invited to attend practice.
"We always look for new players," senior Stower Beals said. "No position is fixed."
The team is angling for the support of the Tufts community.
"We encourage people to come out and watch a sport they've probably never seen before," Beals said.
Tufts plays its first home on Oct. 8 against Framingham State.
