Moeller Rugby Kicks Off the Season with Highs and Lows
Last Sunday, the Moeller rugby program played its first official rugby sevens matches of the season at St. Xavier. On game days, each team plays three matches, with each game lasting 14 minutes—split into two 7-minute halves.
The A-side started strong with a dominant 52–0 win over Dublin, showcasing their speed and teamwork. The B-side followed up with another solid victory against Walnut Hills. However, the second match for the A-side was a tough one, ending in a 28–14 loss to St. Xavier in a surprising upset. The final game of the day brought another disappointment, as the A-side fell to a team from Dayton. That match was marred
by unsportsmanlike conduct—high tackles, headshots, and illegal moves went largely unnoticed by the referee, who only seemed to penalize Moeller. It was a frustrating end to the day for the A-side.
On the bright side, the B-side was unstoppable, going 3–0 with all wins being blowouts. In one game, they played down a man the entire match and still came out on top with a 38–12 victory. Despite the success, there’s always room for improvement. One key area is better use of field space and ball movement—spreading out and passing more effectively to create scoring opportunities.
Looking ahead, Moeller travels to Dayton next Sunday. However, the team is facing challenges, with nearly half the roster dealing with knee injuries and limited substitutions available. Many players are new to the sport, and coaches may be hesitant to put freshmen up against more experienced opponents. As a result, it’s likely that only the B-side or a modified A-side will compete.
After reviewing game footage, it’s clear there are areas to work on. For the B-side, spreading out and moving the ball more efficiently is crucial. In sevens rugby, trying to bulldoze through defenders often leads to turnovers. Unlike 15s, where power plays a bigger role, sevens relies heavily on speed, agility, and quick ball movement to tire out defenses and find scoring gaps.
The A-side also has room to grow. While they did well using the field’s width, ball movement was lacking. For example, in one play, Brennan Lakee had the ball with Simon and AJ open on his right, facing just one defender. Instead of passing, he chose to go into contact and was immediately called out by the coaches. Situations like that highlight the importance of recognizing mismatches and capitalizing on space.
There’s still a lot of work to be done, but with focus and dedication during practice, Moeller rugby has the potential to dominate once again. The goal is clear: beat St. Xavier every weekend, excel in tournaments, and ultimately take down St. Ignatius to win the state championship.
Rugby sevens is a different beast compared to 15s. The pace is faster, with more emphasis on ball movement and speed. While 15s is more physical and methodical, sevens is often seen as a preseason warm-up. Still, many players find 15s more enjoyable—it offers more opportunities for big hits, powerful runs, and dynamic plays. It’s a sport that gives athletes the freedom to showcase their skills, and for many, it’s the ultimate dream: breaking ankles, making tackles, and leaving it all on the field.