Rugby Sevens Overview
Rugby sevens is a version of rugby that is played in the fall. Compared to its spring counterpart, rugby sevens is completely different, involving only seven versus seven rather than fifteen on fifteen.
The Moeller Sevens Team has started off slow this year, acquiring a couple of wins in Nashville and various tournaments in Columbus yet suffering losses to St. X and other strong programs.
Still, the team has been putting in lots of practice hours, and that workload has finally begun to pay off. This past weekend, the rugby program went undefeated in Fairfield, with seven wins to zero losses. The program dominated all levels while playing teams from Dublin and Marysville. The A side team started off extremely strong, winning 30-5 against Marysville. They followed that up winning by at least two scores each against Dublin B and A.
The team looks to improve its skills further in practice, with an additional emphasis on conditioning. The team runs two miles every Monday, something that is meant to help remove lactic acid from gameplay the previous day. During Thursday and Saturday practices, the team goes to work on offensive and defensive strategies. Proper form tackling is essential according to Senior Ethan Watkins, as he explains, “A proper tackle is what we call cheek to cheek, ensuring that no major head injuries occur.” Rugby may seem dangerous, but with proper form and teaching, injury can be avoided.
The real challenge for the program has begun this week, however, with the upcoming state playoffs against St. Edwards and St Ignatius. Both teams offer a huge challenge for Moeller Rugby, and according to Senior Braylon Cox, “Knowing that both Cleveland teams are pretty seniors heavy, as well as knowing that we’ve played them before, losing and winning different times, it should be great competition and a great game.” Cox offered insight into the goliaths of the Cleveland teams and how the rugby program plans their winning strategies, which involve kicking the ball down field, as well as looking to make the opposing team make mistakes. They look to stay disciplined and practice their abilities to receive and kick the ball back.
With this, we wish the Rugby program the best of luck as they prepare for tournament play.