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Most people do not like getting mauled to the ground, like hand-to-hand combat. But for me, playing rugby is often the highlight of my day. What started as a passion to attend the Rugby Sevens tournament in Hong Kong, where teams from all over the world compete over three days, has progressed to me playing both club and school rugby for the past eight years. I enjoy the intensity, action, mix of playing styles, and the camaraderie. My team is like a family to me. Unlike other sports I play, in rugby the coach does not dictate the action from the side lines; rather, players on the pitch often call the shots. Teams that can pass smoothly, communicate well, and trust each other can out-play competitors with brawnier and faster lines. Below are three reasons I think that rugby is such a great sport.
01
Rugby is a great sport because it’s a very physical game and fun to play. Getting to touch the ball often, run, and then pull your opponent to the ground are all exciting. You’re in contact with your teammates and the opposing team throughout the game - in a scrum, a ruck, lineout, and of course, in a tackle. Playing rugby is a great way to relieve stress and make close friends.
02
The rugby ethos is built on discipline and respect for the rules of the game and for each other. It’s not common to see rugby players arguing with a ref after what they believe is a bad call, but it is common to see a player get up after a big hit and play on as if nothing happened. There is a lot of respect for the rules and for the game being played. I can’t tell you how many times over the years as I was learning rugby that the ref made us re-do the scrum because of some minor rule violation. We repeated it until we got it right. No questions, no complaining. I think there must be something to having to pass backwards that reinforces the mutual respect players have, as it makes it so obvious that you rely on your teammates behind you to make a try.
03
Which brings me to camaraderie. Rugby leads to great friendships both on and off the pitch. I think it begins with the sport providing such a supportive environment. I remember when I started out, when we would come off the pitch after a game, even if we had lost badly, the coach would ask, “did you have fun?” That question always helped deflect the pain from the loss and made us remember our main reason for being there – to have fun! The sport also allows players with different skills and sizes to play because of the different roles on the team, so there is less direct competition within the team. If you’re small and quick, you play in the back. If you’re big, you play forward. Then, once you’ve played rugby, you find out that there is a whole network of people all over the world who have played the sport and who are willing to be friendly to you and even help you.
For all these reasons, I love rugby. To me, it brings out the best in players. It is a game with soul, and I intend to stay involved with rugby for the rest of my life.
