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In a little more than one month, the Rugby World Cup will kick off on Friday, Sept. 8, with a barnburner of a game.
That's when France will play New Zealand to start things off. Twenty countries will be represented, with all games in France. Watch out for Antoine Dupont, who plays scrumhalf for France. Imagine Patrick Mahomes -- though a bit sturdier -- playing quarterback and defensive back. That is Dupont.
The World Cup will be on Peacock, with some games on NBC. Take a few minutes and watch some of the greatest rugby players in the world represent their country.
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While Rugby is a second-tier sport here in the United States, the international and professional teams across the world are recognized as top-notch organized entities. For instance, Kirby Smart, Georgia's head football coach, is working with the All-Black's, which is New Zealand's national team, to learn about their team culture and fitness regime.
Dan Quinn, the Cowboys defensive coordinator, contacted Clive Woodward, the World Cup winning coach of England, to learn how rugby defends against short yardage, for when the Cowboys played the Eagles last season. The Eagles, who use a rugby technique to advance Jalen Hurts on short yardage runs, also consulted rugby coaches to develop that play. Any rugby coach will tell you that Low shoulder wins all the time in blocking, tackling and fending off defenders.
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Professional rugby is taking hold here in the USA. Major League Rugby is succeeding with 12 professional rugby teams across the country. Old Glory is the closest team, based in Leesburg, Virginia. The Pittsburgh Steel Toes -- yes that is their name -- are a professional 7's rugby team playing in the Riverhounds stadium this summer. You should know that 7's is the summer version of Rugby -- same field, same type of game, just only 7 players instead of 15 players.
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College rugby is also continuing to grow.
The local high school club -- Blair United -- has 12 alumni playing in college. Our latest success story is Kasey Reid, a 2023 graduate of Altoona, who will be playing with her former teammate Aubrie Sipes at Penn State.
Penn State is one of the top college women's rugby programs in the country, winning several national championships the past 20 years. We also have -- or had -- alumni at Kutztown, St Bonaventure, Penn State, Shippensburg, Susquehanna, West Virginia, IUP, and Ohio State.
Not bad for only being in existence for seven years.
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This past spring, our three teams at Blair United -- from grades 6-12, boys and girls -- had another successful season with both clubs making the playoffs, but unfortunately losing in the first round. Over 70 kids, from Altoona, Bishop Guilfoyle, Bellwood-Antis, Penn Cambria, Williamsburg, Central and Hollidaysburg have joined us to learn a new sport, develop new skills, make friends for life, and most importantly, have fun.
Come out and support this unique, engaging and fun sport. As almost all of my players say after their first game -- "I love this sport." You may end up loving it as well.
For more information on Blair United Rugby, check out @blairunitedrugby or contact blairunitedrugby@gmail.com