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KANSAN.COM
SPORTS
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Sophomore Riley Botz chants along with the rest of the Kansas rugby team after their victory over Truman State on Sept. 25
ALEX ROBINSON/KANSAN
RUGBY FROM PAGE 1
sport is growing in popularity" Sophomore Riley Botz, the business secretary and publicity chairman for the team, said the club is able to work with the Office of Study Abroad to help foreign exchange students come and play rugby.
"Recently, we have had a boom of Australians come over with loads of experience, which is good because we get to learn tips and tricks that we can't always get here in the U.S." Botz said. "Their experience brings a lot of power to the team."
In the last two years, the current sophomore and freshman classes have found their way into making a difference in the way the team has approached this season.
In his second year of coaching, Matt Schwartz, a KU
alumnus and former player on the rugby team, said the club is fortunate to have all the players that joined in the last two years.
"There was a large group of [freshman and sophomore
I want to see how far we can go—I honestly think we can go undefeated. We have solid players at each position — fast guys in the back line, role players at forward — and from what we've played so far, I don't think we can be beat."
RYAN HARRIMAN Rugby Player
players] that all had high school rugby experience and had intentions to play serious rugby at KU" Schwartz said. "I think they came in at a good time, and they're molding the direction of where [the team] is going now."
Freshman Ryan Harriman, who was selected to be on the Florida High School All-Star Rugby Team, has loved being a part of the team here at the University, continuing his love for the game.
"The sophomores have been great — they have all helped me a lot [as a player]," he said. "Matt [Harmon] is a great leader and really has control of the team."
Harriman, along with his captain and coach, has big goals for the team this season.
"I want to see how tar we can go — I honestly think we can undefeated," Harriman
said. "We have solid players at each position — fast guys in the back line, role players at forward — and from what we've played so far, I don't think we can be beat."
Botz said the freshmen this year are strong in numbers and experience, while previously the team consisted of beginners.
"Before the sophomore class, it was uncommon to see such a large class come out with previous rugby experience, although that is not the case this year, which is a great thing" he said. "We have a lot of guys who know what they are doing."
The rugby team goes on international tours every two years, playing teams from all over the world and gaining experience. In 2014, the team traveled to Ireland. Harmon said the trip was incredible —
both for the purpose of rugby and team bonding.
"It was amazing being able to go over there and play against people who have been playing [the game] since they can remember. Their whole lives have been rugby," Harmon said. "I had never been to Ireland before, so to have the opportunity to take in all the culture and visit all the places with the rest of the team was just surreal."
For the 2016 trip, the team will travel somewhere in the southern hemisphere. The three possibilities are Australia, New Zealand or South Africa.
Looking forward to the rest of the season, the team will attempt to win all of its merit table matches. Merit table matches include the collegiate games that count for the team's chance to make it to national
playoffs. They are among many other school rugby teams that are competing for a spot to win the National Championship in the Heart of America conference. Coming off of a win against last year's Division III National Champions, Wichita Rugby Club, in their first game, the Jayhawks have defeated both Iowa State and Truman State in their first two merit table matches.
The rugby team practices and competes at Westwick Rugby Complex about 15 minutes southwest of campus, and its next home game is Oct. 10 against the KC Blues.
- Edited by Leah Sitz
ALEX ROBINSON/KANSAN
Dan Buescher runs the ball after its capture from the scrum.
HOW RUGBY IS PLAYED
The object of rugby is to score as many points as possible by carrying, passing, kicking or grounding the ball. It is a game of continuous flow and constant competition between the 15 players on each team. The game goes 90 minutes total with 45-minute halves. When players are tackled to the ground, they release the ball which results in what is called a ruck. This allows for the continuous playing time.A goal is called a "try' which counts as 5 points. The two extra points are converted through either a place or drop kick.
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Sam Billman attempts to take the ball past a Truman State defender.
ALEX ROBINSON/KANSAN
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