May 092012
 
The Ref Review: Reasons To Have A Crack At Refereeing

Cody Kuxmann is a Referee at the London Society Of Rugby Football Union Referees, while studying International Relations at Richmond, The American International University in London. He lives in Richmond Upon Thames but hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. LONDON, ENGLAND – Taking up refereeing was something I wanted to do since I was a child.  I don’t know why, it wasn’t that I wanted power or control, I think it was that I like pressure.  I enjoy the pressure that [...]

May 082012
 
Twickenham Stadium: Is "Cabbage Patch" Best Rugby Stadium?

TWICKENHAM, ENGLAND – The last leg of what has been an exhilarating HSBC Sevens Series will be held here next weekend. This old, marvelous rugby museum has made for some tremendous rugby memories, including a 7s tradition that began with the Middlesex Sevens of 1926.  But we’d be remiss if we didn’t point out that the Cabbage Patch – as some refer to her -  was already a teenager in 1926. The first 15s match [...]

May 062012
 
"The Aussie" Is Fast Learner: Hayden Smith NFL Update

By DJ Eberle, a student/athlete at Western New England University. He is an offensive tackle, built like his dad; a rugby Prop. Track him on Twitter @Ebstide52 FLORHAM PARK, NJ – NFL rookie mini-camp opened this week for the New York Jets, the team that features former Australian-born rugby star Hayden Smith. And Smith’s coaches are taking notice. As you may recall from the piece we did a few weeks back, Smith played college basketball [...]

May 052012
 
Cinco de Mayo: 5th Month, 5th Day... Best Number 5 In Rugby

“Les Français n’ont pas perdu ce jour-là. Collez votre nez.” PUEBLA, MEXICO – In celebration of this Mexican/American holiday commemorating the Mexican army‘s unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862, we figured we’d keep the this Party Of 5 – 5th day, 5th month – with our pick of the world’s best #5 in rugby. Our quartet of West Ghana’s Rugby wunderkind Junoir Blaber, Ireland’s quick-witted fly-half (that’s [...]

May 042012
 
MayThe 4th Be With You: Star Wars Day & Rugby

RUGBY GALAXY FAR, FAR AWAY – Granted, Star Wars can indeed be considered an exclusive proclivity for, well… Nerds. But if you think about it, nearly everyone has seen the original trilogy at some point. That, plus the fact that today is some sort of Star Wars celebration – Star Wars Day -  combined with a query by a gentlemen in a rugby chat-room as to whether he should expose his young kids to these [...]

May 032012
 
All-Ireland Heineken Cup Final In... England!

Ghana, West Africa – For those that are not aware, Ghana is a former British Colony. I bring that up because it is so funny that the Heineken Cup Final will be played by two Irish teams, considering how hard the Irish fought not to be a Colony. The final will be played at the home of English Rugby – Twickenham. The combatants? Ulster and Leinster.

May 022012
 
The Ref Review: The White Card

Cody Kuxmann is a Referee at the London Society Of Rugby Football Union Referees, while studying International Relations at Richmond, The American International University in London. He lives in Richmond Upon Thames but hails from Green Bay, Wisconsin. If you’ve been watching Super Rugby you may have seen this mysterious new White Card.  The White Card is meant to be a way for a referee to say that an incident needs to be looked at again by the citing commissioner. Seen by some as [...]

May 012012
 
Rugby Legend Phaidra Knight Interviews Team USA Star Kelly Griffin

A perennial Team USA Eagle, Phaidra Knight is one of the most recognized names in women’s rugby. Her home club is the New York Rugby Club. Today, she chats with Team USA star, Kelly Griffin. PK: Kelly, thanks for chatting with me today. Kelly: It’s a pleasure Phaidra. I hope all is well with you. PK: Life is good in NYC.  So, life in Chula Vista in a house of rugby players must be AWESOME [...]

Apr 292012
 
New England Patriots Draft Rugby Star Nate Ebner

DJ Eberle is a student/athlete at Western New England University. He is an offensive tackle, built like his dad; a rugby Prop. Track him on Twitter @Ebstide52 BOSTON, MA – The New England Patriots took a play from their AFC East rival New York Jets, drafting rugby star Nate Ebner out of Ohio State. Ebner a senior safety for the Buckeyes this past fall, was taken with the 197th selection of the sixth round. The Patriots are [...]

Apr 262012
 
Your Team Promoted: Other Side Of Relegation

TOP OF THE TABLE – Last week we looked at teams struggling to stay up and avoid Relegation. This week, we’ll look at teams fighting to get promoted to The Land of Milk & Honey, aka England’s Aviva Premiership and France’s Top 14.