Dartmouth 29 Arizona 5 (Ht: 19-5 Dartmouth)

(Chester, PA) Led by a brace from Will Mueller and a phenomenal showing from Madison Hughes, Dartmouth defeated Arizona 29-5 at PPL Park to claim back-to-back national titles at the 2012 USA 7s College Rugby Championship.

Kevin Clark scored first for Dartmouth. Running upfield, the wing broke a tackle from Arizona's Peter Tiberio. But Tiberio's landing was off though - the 7s Eagle was unusually slow to get back up and rebuild the defensive wall. When the ball swung back to the blindside, Clark took advantage of the weakened Tiberio's hesitance to tackle again, sidestepping him to trot into the try zone. Derek Fish hit the conversion: 7-0, just under two minutes in.

Tiberio went off with a serious injury - a broken forearm. The loss of Arizona's key playmaker demoralized the Wildcats, and it showed in their play. Meanwhile, Dartmouth continued to poach and force turnovers, as they had all tournament. A few minutes after his own score, Clark fed the ball back inside to Will Mueller for a try, with Fish converting to make it 14-0.  

Soon after, Hughes put away Mueller inside the Wildcats' 22-meter for the hooker's second try of the match. Arizona's Brett Thompson, a former linebacker for the Wildcats, galloped into the try zone on the first half's final play. Even facing a steep 19-5 deficit, Arizona still looked like they were in the game as both squads entered halftime.

But the injury-depleted Wildcats couldn't find it in themselves to mount a second-half comeback. The Big Green stole possession at Arizona's scrum as prop Nate Brakeley hooked the ball back to halfback Bill Lehmann, who ran it in for an unconverted try. It was 24-5, with five minutes to play. Even playing a man down, Dartmouth's characteristic discipline kept Arizona from scoring in the final minutes. Clark Judge booted the ball into touch as time expired, and Dartmouth repeated as national champions.

Dartmouth's championship run showcased two of their great rugby talents. Leading from the sideline, head coach Alexander Magleby added another national title to his impressive resume, while 15s fullback Madison Hughes played like a superstar in the paint. Though he went scoreless in the final, the freshman All-American won plaudits for his selfless and inspired play: Hughes was tireless on defense throughout the weekend, and rarely failed to convert possession into scoring opportunities for the Big Green.

Magleby's future with Dartmouth is uncertain - based on his recent string of successes, USARFU may offer the current interim 7s head coach a permanent position. Hughes' path in the near-future is more transparent. On June 18th, the U-20 Eagle will represent the US against Tonga in the IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy series in Salt Lake City.

Dartmouth Big Green

Tries: Kevin Clark, Will Mueller (2), Bill Lehmann
Conversions: Derek Fish (3)
Yellow card: Paul Jarvis 

Madison Hughes, Kevin Clark (Justin Ciambella), Derek Fish, Bill Lehmann, Nate Brakeley, Will Mueller (James Sharpe), Paul Jarvis © (Clark Judge.) 
Reserves: Pat Flynn, Dave Turnbull. 

Arizona Wildcats

Try: Brett Thompson

Comments

[Chuck Hensley]

Posted this on the Day 1 recap, but more relevant here.
I watched the final on TV and, similar to my experience with the World Cup, NBC needs to get some quality commentators. Having watched Super Rugby with New Zealand, South African and Australian commentators, very frustrating listening and watching with the two folks that NBC selected. Especially frustrating was when Hightower and Harris were doing the fluff on Darthmouth's academics while the touch judge called the penalty on the Darthmouth player and sent him to the sin bin. If Hightower had been paying attention, he would have probably commented that the call was 'iffy' at best. Just frustrating to watch the game with commentators who don't seem very interested in the play on the field. In fairness to Hightower and Harris, they probably are shaped into the feel good and Rugby 101 commentary, but I hope their commentary gets better over the next several broadcasts.

[Bob Costas]

NBC doesn't care what you think, and neither does anyone else.

Really, what does it matter? To people who don't know rugby, those two guys know just as much as Bob Costas. To rugby people, they are just fine. Maybe not great, but like I say, who cares?

Think you could do better? Doubtful. Very, very doubtful.

[Can't have your cake and eat it too....]

Chuck- This the USA and finding broadcasters with years of rugby broadcasting experience isn't going to happen. The guys did a fine job and were probably being fed stuff to talk about in their earpieces. What was more annoying was missing live action because of a cut-away piece.

[East Coast]

Read some complaints here and elsewhere about Delaware and Temple being invited to the CRC. Based only on their on-field performances, both sides showed they belonged in my opinion. That was especially true of Delaware. Delaware beat both Florda and Maryland (the two teams that made the Challeger Cup finals). Only Dartmouth (5 tries to 1) and Life (only 12-5 in very tight match in the Quarterfinals) beat Delaware.

[Save the hotdog water, Im cooking grits!]

I agree that Delaware should have been there, they really put together a nice weekend, but And Im not sure what you saw in Temple, their play was awful.

And since this was on National television I'm going to say the following. Otherwise, who would really care, but Florida looked like a bunch of white trash, homeless rednecks. The only thing missing was Jed Clampet coaching them on the sideline and granny sitting in a rocking chair holding a shotgun. I really hope they dont get invited back next year. It was embarrassing that they were on NBC. And Im glad Life was there, but my goodness, when you finally get to go to the big show, how about you where your traditional school colors and not those lime green pieces of crap. Seriously fellas, your on TV, dress the part.

[Save the hotdog water, Im cooking grits!]

And by where and mean wear... must be my southern edjumucation

[Haterz]

Temple was mediocre, but they put butts in seats, and honestly having watched them last year they were much improved.

I had the same reaction to Florida when they first were introduced, but having watched all their matches I have to say they played really entertaining rugby. They tackled and rucked hard, made some great breaks and certainly deserved to win the challenger championship.

As for Life's jersey's I can say that the kids I brought to the game really liked them. Maybe you're just out of touch.

[East Coast]

I agree that Delaware was and is much better than Temple. But Temple did tie Wisconsin and lost to Florida only 29-24. So Temple wasn't woefully outclassed. I agree with Haterz. Temple put butts in the seats (as did Delaware), and the Temply on-field performance was actually pretty okay.

[jerseys]

Anyone complaining about the Life jerseys is out of touch with college sports. Here's what Baylor wore in the NCAA basketball tournament this year:

http://www.google.com/imgres?q=baylor+basketball+jersey&um=1&hl=en&sa=N&biw=1366&bih=573&tbm=isch&tbnid=IKXQgLYZBM9D8M:&imgrefurl=http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1118966-ncaa-tournament-2012-power-ranking-all-64-jerseys&docid=aPuUCPhXV6FSBM&imgurl=http://cdn.bleacherreport.net/images_root/slides/photos/002/063/724/141782440_crop_650x440.jpg%253F1332793513&w=650&h=440&ei=rc3MT4zZFqTB6AGzxZGNDA&zoom=1

[Grant Cole]

Chuck's right about Hightower & Harris, they were dismal (esp when Hightower called a knock-on a "fumble"). The best part of the NBC's broadcasting team was old hat Marty Schneider's interviews. At least Bill Seward was absent.

And yes, the US does have better commentators in Brian Vizard's team. It may have taken Vizard a few years to hone his craft, but he's listened to the critics and righted his ship.

There's nothing new to commentating on rugby. Mourie & Fox figuratively wrote the book on it. Access to their work is ample.

[Save the hotdog water, Im cooking grits!]

I get that the neon look is "in" for kids, but no way should they have come out in those things on NBC. Those are what you wear to every other tournament, not one on TV when nobody outside a rugby circle or a chiropractic office has every heard of you. Again, just being overly critical. I wanted Life to do well, just dressed normally and not like they were on Nickelodeon's
"You cant say that on television" ... did I just date myself....

[Haterz]

Right, god forbid a team do something that might appeal to our youth or people outside of the sport. Definitely save those jerseys for the other tournaments when no one will ever see them.

[hotdog water]

Yes, correct, now you're catching on Haterz! Save those ugly things for another tournament when NO ONE WILL EVER SEE THEM. spot on. couldnt have said it better myself.

[Bob Costas]

Yeah, because Oregon and Baylor save their new kit for games that aren't broadcast.

Get a clue Hot Dog Water... It was a smart move by Dan Payne to do something that will make the average observer sit up and take note of Life for unis that aren't boring to compliment their outstanding play on the pitch.

Aus and Eng have "loud" kit on the IRB circuit. You think they should save those for the warm up tourneys and not the show?

Go back to being a boring old rugby dinosaur. I dare you to write Eng, Aus, Baylor, and Oregon to let them know what you think... as if they'll listen to your sorry ass.

Well played Dan Payne.

[Grandpa Hotdog Water]

HAHAHA! "Calm down Francis..." they were ugly uniforms, get over it. And YES my ass is sorry, but I think England are Australia's uniforms look ridiculous too. And Baylor and Oregon... are you kidding? Sounds like you either played or coached for Life. Take the criticism and move on.

[If you can't say something nice, just spell my name right.]

I don't know much about Baylor, but you can't deny that Oregon has benefited from their many wild looks. They realized some time ago that "tradition" wasn't going to do them a bit of could. They could never go toe to toe with the Michigans, USCs, and Alabamas on tradition...so they decided to go after a different niche. It got them noticed; their look put them on the radar of plenty of good players from other parts of the country who otherwise never would have conceived of going to Oregon. LaMichael James said as much.

Likewise, Life needs to do something different. As a "name" school, they can't even compete with Delaware. So if they put on something ridiculous that hs kids think is cool and cranky old men (mea culpa) think is ugly and ridiculous, they'll get noticed - which is the point.

[Sergeant Hulka]

I only got to watch the NBC coverage on Sunday, the semis, bronze and final match. I thought the competition looked improved even from last year. Dartmouth looked to have hit the gym pretty seriously. I didn't get to hear the coverage (watched at a bar), but the other patrons kept watching the rugby instead of the baseball games. Some guys were on their smart phones looking up Life U, lots of jokes about Dan Payne, 'Life Coach.' They were impressed that a small school like Life was competing with Cal. Too bad about Arizona's injuries in the final.

[Sergeant Hulka]

Good article about the CRC staying in Philadelphia for the near future:
http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20120604_Title_game_to_remain_at_PPL.html

[7's vs 15's]

less talk about uniforms, more on quality of play..like cal blowing that lead and choking against dartmouth, who survived THREE failed kickoff re-starts, usually a death blow in high level 7's...

[College Rugby]

2 weeks ago Dartmouth was competing for a spot in the D1aa national championship final. 7 weeks ago Cal began training for this thing full-time. Pretty incredible effort by Dartmouth. Best match of the weekend I think. Dartmouth's #3 was fun to watch. Behemoth running around out there, but held his own in the open field and was awesome under the high ball on restarts.

[college 7's]

Dartmouth and Cal were the two best teams in the competition. They both played excellent 7's rugby. Two point win for the Big Green.

Arizona only just beat Life, Cal dismantled Life. Dartmouth only just beat Cal and dismantled Arizona.

Dartmouth v Cal was the final.

The quality of the 7's was very good when the best teams played.

Life as the USAR college 7's champs couldn't really represent against the CRC competition. 4-2 for the weekend with no notable victories. Cal pumped them and Dartmouth would have pumped them.

Dartmouth is the best college 7's team.

[7's vs 15's]

college 7's,
i must politely disagree with your assessment, as seen in the IRB 7's, just because one team is better than another that particular match, this does not automatically ensure hypothetical results, the 7's game is magnified as compared to 15's, ...what do you think the result would have been if tiberio did not get hurt against dartmouth? we’ll never know…

[Sergeant Hulka]

It's not hypothetical at all. Dartmouth won last year and this year. The final would have been much better without UofA's injuries, but that can't be helped. I agree that Dartmouth/Cal was a better match. At any rate, I thought the semi's and final were played by great teams. Hopefully Collegiate 7's rugby will continue to grow outside of this tournament as well.

[Grandpa Hotdog Water]

CRC to stay in Philly through 2014... and speculation over expanding to 24 teams. nice.

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/colleges/20120604_Title_game_to_remain_at_PPL.html

And just to be an ass... I vote that next year there are two pools of teams with just small schools in them BUT all are wearing neon jerseys... imagine the number of youngins we'll attract to the game!

[Pretty Poor IMHO]

Well the CRC had poor commentary, over the top promos and interviews, Jack Clark spouting self-serving propaganda when the microphone was in his face, our most famous collegiate sevens player crying on the sideline and generally poor quality sevens shy from a couple matches. The attendance went up a very small percentage meaning at that rate of growth the stadium may be full in 2025.

[7's vs 15's]

the cal-dartmouth match was better for drama of the comeback, not so much for quality 7's play....blown restarts by both, poor passing, green won on effort and taking advantage of cal's miscues. congrats for winning two years in a row. would like the tourney grow to include notable sides that were not invited.

[College Rugby]

How many tickets did each college team have to buy and sell? How many for the high school teams?

[College]

Pretty Poor IMHO is a very bitter member of a team that didnt get invited. No other reason someone would be that negative. It's going to be okay buddy. When the Olympics roll around and this event has grown into something that can stand on its own, your team will be able to qualify on the merit you believe they have instead of getting shut out of the event for a non-rugby reason. Patience.

Or he is Brian Lowe. In that case go f yourself.

[Because Americans prefer sports with understated grace and humility]

Over the top promos and interviews, a coach spouting self-serving propaganda, and a star player reacting to disappointment with less than perfect dignity?

Geez, that sort of nonsense has NO place in American sports.

[Bob Loblaw]

Pretty Poor IMHO - You sound like one of those people who says they want rugby to grow in the US, just as long as its done exactly the way YOU want it to be done. No one can say that the absolute best teams are represented in the CRC. But its advancing the game in a way USA Rugby can't. College kids were on freaking national television playing rugby for crying out loud, you act like a petulant kid.

Also, lay off Peter Tiberio, the guy put his guts on the line and was heartbroken when he had to leave the game. I give him credit for even trying to play with a broken arm. Real men cry (in sadness and joy) because they they aren't afraid to put their heart and souls into what they do. You probably don't get that because your ideas of manliness are taken from beer commercials and the movie 300.

[ISP8]

I founf the level of play vastly improved vs last year, and light years ahead of the first year (when it was clear there were "cross over" ringers trying to figure out how to "keeck a touchdown").

IMHO, Dartmouth really looked well-drilled. They were possible the most efficient team at the breakdown -- one or two lanky, wiry guys secured breakdown against much bigger opponents who weren't hitting the ruck with an clean form as "D". Overall, they played a great team 7s reiminscent of Argentina a few years back on the 7s circuit -- not much flash, but great team defense, and overall support play.

And as for the commentators, it seems symptomatic of US sports coverage to talk over the action. In the US core sports (FB, BB, Baseball), they read the game well enough to cut themselves off, but in rugby, they don't know when is an important time to STFU -- a yellow card, for example.

By the way, it seemed the yellow cards were few and far between (I only recall one in the 12 games I saw). Were the college kids given a wider berth?

[ISP8]

By the way, it seemed the yellow cards were few and far between (I only recall one in the 12 games I saw). Were the college kids given a wider berth?

I thought I saw a few infractions that on the IRB (or even on the local US Territorial 7s circuit) would get a yellow card. Any thoughts?

[ISP8]

Bob Loblaw,

I feel bad for Tiberio as well. Clearly a great talent.

As great as he played, the NBC commentators wore thin very quickly.

They mentioned Tiberio so many times, I mistook them for reading from of a "Chuck Norris Facts" website.

They mentioned the Dartmouth academic feats so many times, I thought one of them was Bill Brasky.

Heck, I even tried playing a Peter Tiberio drinking game (one sip for his name while he's on the screen; scull your pint if they name him, and Arizona isn't even playing). Alas, I ran out of beer after five minutes.

[ISP8]

This Saturday Night Live clip pretty much sums up American sports commentators talking over the action:

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/4601107056/snl-clip-mark

"It's Mark"

[Regal Eagle]

What really strikes me is that there is a contingent on here that thinks they know American sports that really don't have a clue. The Pac 12 discussion a few weeks back and now the jerseys. The guy talking about Baylor and Oregon is absolutely right with regard to "ugly" jerseys being popular with kids and a way to get noticed. Personally I think they're ugly as hell but some people like them and for a small school like Life it's a great niche.

[Air Yeezy 2]

I like your sharing.

[Pretty Poor IMHO]

As someone that has been involved with two of the biggest sports growth phenomenons in the last quarter century (beach volleyball & MMA) I can tell you the trajectory for rugby looks long and slow like it has been for soccer. If you remember in the early 90s soccer was going to be massive after the USA hosted the 94 world cup, but that didn't happen. The reality is that the public likes winners on the field and also how they are marketed. The growth of the CRC says the following to the average sports fan, "meh" with an explanation point. The public responds to fads and popularity. They would be better off marketing the CRC in a small stadium with fans right up on the sidelines. Come 2016 and the Olympics, if USA qualify instead of Canada or Argentina, the public will not react kindly to them losing to the likes of Fiji, Samoa, New Zealand, etc. Rugby will not be mass market sport in the USA ever and if it is lucky it will reach the status of soccer within the next 40 to 50 years.

[Can't have your cake and eat it too....]

First off the quote is "Lighten up Francis" not "Calm down" Second, ISP8, I almost spit my coffee out after reading your post about drinking games and Chuck Norris...I didn't think drinking and Rugby were allowed to mix anymore, too 20th Century for this crowd. Third, that Florida scrummy rocked a mullet far better then I did as a 16 year in 1986, Kudos. Last item, did anyone else chuckle to themselves when the broadcast team said that if Delaware beat Florida it would be "an upset"? Shame on Hightower, he knows better...

[48 Minutes ????]

No one unhappy that all NBC showed on Sunday was 48 minutes of rugby (1 Semi, Bronze and Championship) in the 90 minutes or so of actual TV time. I understand you have to do the Rugby 101 thing but you would think they could have at least mustered more highlights than that of the Arizona - Life Semi. Not even top tries of the tournament. Geez.

[CRC Fan]

What Hightower fails to do is shed any real rugby information. I am not sure he knows rugby well enough to be on national TV.

Also the referring was really poor at times. The refs need to step up their game if this tournament is going to help us attract new fans.

I thought all the interviews with players and coaches were great. Very professional all around. Everyone complimenting each other and the game.

[Grant Cole]

ISP8 - Yeah, the yellow cards were sparse. One instance of Madison Hughes (Dartmouth) being shoved into touch gridiron style (upper body shove with hands across chest - no attempt to wrap at all) by an opposition player even though Hughes had passed the ball 4 strides back, deserved at least a yellow.

But, there was quite a bit of "clean play", especially considering the age-range of players. I was kinda impressed by that.

I would have been more upset with the 48 minutes of coverage in 90 minutes of broadcast if competent commentators had been employed. It looks like this forum has finally come to a consensus about something rugby-related!

[Sergeant Hulka]

How dare you say, "Lighten up, Francis." That's my line!

Pretty PoorIMHO: I hope rugby is on the same trajectory as soccer. Slow and steady growth every year, new franchises with soccer specific stadiums every year. More tv coverage year by year. More marquis names coming to play because there is more money than previous years. USA Soccer recently beat Italy, in Italy. That'd be like USA Rugby beating Australia or France in their home. I'm fine with that.

Beach volleyball died on the vine and the same thing will happen to MMA. Too much growth too soon, people will get sick of it. The novelty of MMA will wear off in a few more years.

[ISP8]

I noticed the sparse coverage too -- 3 matches in two hours, on average.

If you ever watch an international feed, international sevens shows up to six matches in two hours, and they use the natural gaps in play to run the adverts.

[RWC 2051!]

I mostly agree with Sgt. Hulka. In fact, I've been arguing for awhile that we pretty much are exactly 40-50 years behind soccer, that soccer's growth is a pretty reasonable model to follow, and that we should set our sights specifically on winning the RWC in 2051 (which would be much better than American soccer). Go to a game in Seattle or Portland and tell me you wouldn't love to see a rugby game like that someday here.

Funny thing, I think that soccer people often fail to understand what they have. They've achieved so much and yet most setbacks are seen as signs that the sky is falling and many pieces of good news are grabbed onto as if this is finally the tipping point that is going to vault soccer into the big four (or higher) American sports.

Two things to remember. Rugby is undergoing a youth explosion. Rugby is on network television (and not doing abysmally in the ratings). Commentary*, refereeing**, hillbilly hairstyles***, loud jerseys****...if these are the details that we are left to quibble about, then I couldn't be happier.

But I'm not sure I agree about MMA's impending failure.

*Tim McCarver's commentary makes him a rich man.
**Show me a sport where people don't hate the refs.
***Randy Johnson is a millionaire many times over.
****Oregon, and too many other examples to count.

[sevens]

Interesting contrast this past weekend if you watched CRC on NBC and RSL Final online. RSL's Final in the Forest was on a low res online feed that cut out often and failed to broadcast the final minutes of a great game decided by just 3 points. Sevens and Colleges are outperforming Fifteens and Senior Clubs in terms of marketing and TV coverage and the gap will continue to grow. USA Sevens LLC has proven to be the best manager of rugby events in the US with USAR and RSL far behind. An Olympic Rugby Series for Senior Clubs is more commercially viable that RSL Fifteens. A conference based Olympic Sevens Series could attract coverage from the regional conference TV networks. A Sevens team is much cheaper to run than 15s, requires few specialists, and sponsorship potential is greater. Fifteens traditionalists won't be happy to see Sevens become the most popular game but the smart Clubs will leverage Sevens to support Fifteeens. As good as the colleges are getting, strong senior Clubs are needed to bridge the gap between college and the national teams.`

[ISP8]

Grant Cole,

I do not recall the shove.

Note that the Laws of the Game allow a player to push / shove (with your hands) a ball carrier into touch by pushing. Of course if the push is into a bench of advertising, the referee might penalise for "dangerous"

You cannot shoulder charge (i.e. no attempt to wrap) into touch.

Does that change things?

[College]

Oh god, "sevens" is back to ramble on about all his great ideas.

When was soccer's first appearance on network television? I'm guessing rugby made it on much much sooner. 7s is a unique weapon in this battle and it is all rugby's. It will be the gateway drug for the American people. Eventually.

[Canuck]

If USA doesn't qualify for the Olympics, NBC and the CRC are going to be toast for at least 3 years. Brazil is an automatic qualifier as the host, Argentina has the largest talent pool and we have no clue how good they can be at 7s when they put out their best athletes and Canada were only 8 points behind USA on the final table for the IRB circuit and they were only in 5 of the 9 tournaments. The Eagles were in all 9 tournaments.

Rugby - Olympics = 3 to 5 years absence of NBC coverage

[College]

Maybe. That assumes that the event hasnt been able to stand up on its own before the 2016 Olympics. If it does start pulling in good enough ratings, then it aint goin anywhere. But I think you are right. That is a threat.

[St Marys of Annapolis]

The 7's tourney showed Jack Clark on national tv whining about the ref's. Classy move there Jack. The NBC announcers had to be physically restrained from making out with JC. What a love fest !
NBC was on strict orders not to say BYU is the current National champion or that St Mary's is better then Cal. JC stating that "the 7s tournament is the most important weekend in American rugby" was laughable. Ok Jack we get you hate USA Rugby. Drop out of USA Rugby you whiny baby. Other then that JC was fine.

[Regal Eagle]

The pro 7s contracts will start to make a difference in the next 6-12 months IMO. Canada has had pro domestic players who trained together for years with their "carded" program in Victoria.

We should be better than them when Olympic qualifiers roll around, but I believe there will be a repechage round too if we don't beat them. The IRB wants the US to succeed more than any other Tier 2 country in the world and they know how important NBC's support is.

[Not a hater.]

Jerseys, mullets, bad teams, and poor commentary are all fair comments. Furthermore, I think 7's is akin to checkers, like 15's is chess. However if I was Nigel, I'd bet my huge salary, all the CIPP fees, and all $20 in corporate sponsorship on the Olympic games. This is our ticket away from Belushi and Farley.

[Canuck]

@Regal Eagle

Repechage will most likely mean beating one of the Pacific Island countries to get the bid. Don't think the Eagles or Canada are going to be able to do that.

[dr love]

I will take the BYU ..-Arkansas State final or last years Cal.-BYU final in 15s over the crap I watched in Philly any day. Get real lady boys.

[abob]

I am a prop, so 7's is not my favorite choice of rugby, but God you guys are so critical. 25 years ago we would never been able to find rugby on TV or getting the exposure this tournament gets. The local NBC channel in Philly ran several local newspieces introducing people to rugby. My non rugby friends have commented to me 100 times on how great the tournament looks, and how they are now better educated on the game. Who cares what kit they wear. But no, most of you naysayers want us to go back to kegs on the sidelines and 10 people watching. We must grow the game, and 7's is one method. At least Donal Walsh and his team are making an risky investment in our game. Are you doing the same when you are not being a monday morning flyhalf ?

[Grant Cole]

ISP8, I looked at that clip again. It could have been called a shoulder charge, but the ref was following the ball away from that situation.

It was interesting that the CRC invitational and the D-1 final enjoyed better television coverage and venues that the RSL. Mayhap the RSL & CPL should go the way of the dodo bird?

[CRC Fan]

JC was right about the ref, without ever saying he was shit the guy was shit. He screwed Cal in the semis which I didn't overly mind, then tried to make it up to them by screwing Life in the 3rd-4th place game, which I did mind. The other refs at the event were all taking about the guy. Shocker of a weekend. The fans even booed him. The only boos of the weekend were directed at this ref.

CRC is the "signature weekend", well isn't it? "The player love the event", well duh. Lets see, the organizers pay all the team cost, flights, ground transport, lodging and meals. They rent one of the best stadiums in the US for rugby and promote the hell out of the event. This effort created the 2nd best attended rugby competition in the US thus far in 2012, behind only the USA7's other event the Las Vegas IRB 7's stop. Then NBC takes the CRC live onto the network and into 70 million homes. This is 69,995,000 more homes than the poorly streamed RSL final. If the CRC isn't the signature weekend in US rugby what is? The CRC does more for the growth of rugby in the US than any other event bar done.

USAR created their own version of the same college product. The teams pay 100% of their event participation costs. It was played on a multi-lined blue-green astro-turf field in front of 200 fans, seated in a 5 row bleacher, streamed poorly into a few thousand computers. You couldn't buy a cup of coffee at the USAR college 7's much less have the extensive fan services of PPL Park. Was this the better weekend? I was at this Texas A&M event as well as the CRC and I think not.

USA7's is running by USAR like they are standing still, because they are, in fact USAR is sliding, maybe racing backwards.

How long before there is a college XV's version of the CRC? A better, much better, version of the USAR college XV's national championships. Do you think the teams will be interested? Nah, the players don't like well attended events in big stadiums on TV ;-)

[Allyn Freeman]

re: Olympic qualifying in 2012. If the USA does not beat Canada for the North American berth, it enters a repechage of 24 other teams for the final, 12th spot. The only realistic path for the Eagles is to beat Canada.

[Bob Costas]

CRC Fan= Pat Clifton. Way to pimp your competition Pat.

[No fan of USAR]

The CRC comparison with the USAR college 7's is striking. USAR charges these college teams dues to provide an inferior service/product. While USA7's provides an outstanding service/product to these same college teams by charging them nothing and paying their expenses.

This could be described as market forces at work. In this light how can USAR continue to charge dues while providing such an inferior membership services.

The above poster might be right, Nigel and his Board should get out of the college rugby business and focus on getting the US qualified for the Olympic Games or their legacy of failed leadership will be etched in stone.

Leave college rugby to those like USA7's who clearly have built a better mouse trap.

[CRC Fan]

@Bob

No CRC pimping needed, when your boys in Boulder continue to crap the bed. Better question is why are you pimping the value of USAR? Nigel making his $300k on the backs of the HS and college kids has to end.

[Haystacks Calhoun]

As long as the best teams are not at the CRC your tournament will not be legit. Stop talking about all your fans. The place did not have as many as last year despite what you say. You made each team buy 300 tickets a piece to go. The teams may as well paid their own way. If you consider Subway food ok they got free food.

Listen I am no fan of Nigel and his crooked bunch but not having Utah and several other west coast teams makes you look weak and petty.
Jack Clark was a whiny baby on national tv. The production was more like a cheap wrestling show. Quit highlighting injuries.

[7's vs 15's]

@ bob costas,
what part of crc fan is false? the promotion, presentation and event BLOWS away anything usarfu has done to date.
btw - i'm not a fan of the crc from the standpoint that it is an invitational billed as a college championship.
also - stay away from your mothers hair coloring kit.

[Shooter the Dog]

Can you imagine college lacrosse not inviting Denver, Johns Hopkins or this years national championship winner Loyola of Maryland to its event ?

St Mary's, Central Washington, San Diego State,Cal Poly would crush some of those crap teams.

[Can't have your cake and eat it too....]

abob stated:
"25 years ago we would never been able to find rugby on TV"

Factcheck: ESPN showed the 1987 World Cup Final.

I agree with your premise but don't go over the top.

[7's vs 15's]

@shooter,
my point exactly.

[Bob Costas]

@7's vs 15's : USA 7s has LOST MILLIONS of dollars on these events! USAR can't do that with dues members money.

I could take a turtle race, put millions behind it, and get 7k/day to show up and watch.

[facts]

Don't let those fact bother you ladies.

True, the CRC broke even in Columbus thanks to over a million dollars in sponsorship and has made money both years in has been in Philly. USA7's and NBC announced at one of a few really nice affairs that it was coming back to PPL for at least two more years.

True, players can swing by the athletes only Subway stand anytime for a sandwich. Or they can go to the players only room in the press box area for a full hot meal. Keeping in mind the teams arrive on the Tuesday before the event begins, USA7's provide three meals a day in the hotel banquet room prior to the event beginning.

Finally, you can't have it both ways. Life is the defending USAR college 7's national champions. They were no where near the top team in the CRC, the standard was higher than the USAR championship. PSU was winless in the 2012 CRC, but they should have beaten Life in the first match and would have without the CRC rule which stops the clock. Life 19-17 over winless PSU. Life also beat Delaware 12-5, wow! Life was beaten by Arizona 19-12 and crushed by Cal 26-7. This is your USAr champion.

Don't use Utah to make your point the Utes have been regulars at the CRC, champions in fact beating Cal in OT in 2010. Your USAr champions Life beat them and took their place. They will be back next year.

Quit acting like the bedroom dork that didn't get invited to the cool kid party. The CRC is the best thing to happen to US rugby.

[lv_rugger]

U.S. vs. Canada streaming site:

http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/newsletter.cfm?clientID=3817&leagueID=0&page=61907

[Fact]

CRC - NBC = USA Rugby

[seabass]

better link for the match

http://www.coresportsnetwork.ca/

[Sergeant Hulka]

abob: I recall watching the college national championships on Prime Sports Network in 1994-1995 and all of the Rugby World Cup matches on that channel as well, prior to it becoming Fox Sports. Truth is USA rugby on tv, whether its the Eagles, college or club, has been in flux for a long time. It comes and goes, but finally with USA Sevens and Universal Sports/NBC there is a steady stream of rugby. It's getting better every year, albeit slowly.

[Shooter the Dog]

Until you invite the best teams instead of the football teams this tourney will be second rate WWF style rugby. Plus the CRC is not being honest in how they present this to the fans. Its not the college champnship, it cant be if the best teams are not there. I dont do business with people who ltry to decieve others. Not a whisper about Cal taking a huge step down.
Not one mention of BYU when those WWF style announcers talked 15s yet they were the champions ? Intentional deciet.

[RWC 2051!]

@Facts - True, but pointless. That's like saying "Brad Pitt - Good looks and vast fortune = me"

[College]

So many bitter people from teams that didnt get invited. Relax. In a few years, it can be done that way. Patience.

[Fact]

Eagles 7s - 2016 Olympic Qualification = CRC - NBC

CRC - NBC = USA Rugby

[St Marys of Annapolis]

Is it bitter to want the best teams to be in your so called championship ? Thats what you call bitter ? People call you out because you have a "championship" with teams that suck ?

Its not bitter its called the TRUTH !!!!

[Observation]

Am I the only one that thinks it is odd that a members' tax funds almost the entire cost of the national teams for USA Rugby, AND we have to pay a premium content fee to Rugby Magazine to actually know what is going on with the team's we fund?

And they wonder why nobody supports the team.

[Bob Costas]

"Observation".... How can you observe anything with your head so far up your keister?

Rugby Mag is not owned by USA Rugby. They are completely separate, and as a for-profit enterprise, they are completely within their realm to charge for content. It's not that they are the only ones with access to said contact, its just that they are the ones who make the effort to find the content.

[College]

It isn't "my championship"

I dont like it either. But you dont see me bitching about it because i dont have a horse in the race. You obviously do, hence your over the top bitterness. No one disagrees with you, that having the best teams, decided through competition, there would be nice. But you need to understand the realities of a world where our sport merges with the sports entertainment business. Purity goes out the window.

[Shooter the Dog]

You are full of it. Its funny that all college sports have the ability to get the best teams except CRC. College lacrosse is very popular and they just crowned Loyola of Maryland as national champs. Loyola has a enrollment of about 3800. ESPN used that as the story. I am no fan of USA Rugby but CRC is worse. CRC picks who they want to win and misleads the American public over what they are offering.

[College]

College Lacrosse is an accepted and legitimate college sport. They are literally 40-50 years ahead of rugby. More importantly, the competition you are referring to is NCAA. They have NO OPTION but to have a legitimate championship, since their competition is not a PRIVATE ENTERPRISE. If it was a private operation who decided to hold a one weekend lacrosse tournament, have no doubt that some qualified schools would not be invited.

A better analogy, would be private corporation sponsored bowl games where a school's name and ability to put butts in the seat no matter where the event is located is taken into account as much as their ability.

Stop being so bitter.

[Observation]

@Bob Costas

I asked if anyone thought it was 'odd', which you appear to think is some kind of assault on the free market system. I'll assume you're some red state mouth breather who thinks Obama is the next Stalin and aside from reading (if that is what you call not knowing the definition of the word 'odd') gainline spends most your time watching Fox News and listening to Rush. Therefore, let me speak your language STFU you idiot.

[abob]

Ok, I should have clarified, Rugby on National Network TV. Espn in 87 was nothing near what it is now, and you still have to search out games on small cable channels. NBC is the best we have been. Again, the CRC is not perfect, but it is getting the message out and people are seeing fit athletes play our sport. Watched the Belmont Shore v Metropolis semi last night, and what stood out was Belmont's tighthead walking to breakdowns, in a tight fit shirt not designed for 320lb props. At least the CRC shows the real fitness required for rugby

[I WANT MY MTV!]

I would rather NBC showed Eagle matches against Canada, Georgia and Italy than watch some college kids play an abbreviated version of the game of rugby that they pump up as a National Championship, but is really an invitational of known sports brands they think will draw viewers.

[John Adams]

MTV
You're an idiot!
USA soccer can't people interested in the national team despite being on TV.

This country puts college sport over its national teams - want to watch the Eagles? Get a better internet connection for the live streaming.

[I WANT MY MTV!]

@John Adams

I express the opinion that I would prefer to watch the the Eagles play 15s than watch college kids play 7s and you call me an idiot. Then you compare soccer viewership trends and history with rugby...idiotic. Then you compare "college sport", which I assume you mean NCAA sports with highly skilled and trained athletes with club sport rugby players...idiotic...again.

Who is the idiot?

[Sergeant Hulka]

These invitational games will never be popular. Remember those old college football money losers like the Cotton, Sugar, Orange, Rose and Fiesta Bowls? All those Bowls would rather have Alabama or USC over Boise St. or TCU because they sell tickets! Every invited Bowl team must sell an allotment of tickets or the Athletic Dept. gets stuck with the cost. The teams selling 300 tickets is not a new idea. HS football teams have to sell 'booster' tickets to raise money to support their programs. The CRC is not a charity.
The CRC is a great idea and a great promoter for college rugby and rugby in general. Yes, I to would rather watch the Eagles v Italy 15's match on NBC (I believe it will be on Universal Sports), but I'm quite happy that it seems to be going in that direction.

[Reality]

The CRC is nothing more than a club sports festival focused on rugby hosted by USA Sevens and broadcast by NBC. If you want to pretend that it is some big time event showcasing college athletics and future Olympiads, go for it. If you want to pretend 18K people (4800 pre-sold by participating teams with no confirmation that it is really a butt in the seat) as an attendance figure is awesome, go at it. If you're someone that has their feet stuck in reality, you know what it is. An NBC project to try to establish an audience for rugby prior to the 2016 Olympic broadcasts. If that means they elevate college club sports athletes to "future Olympic athletes" status, they'll do it without a whimper. If you think that NBC would have rather seen baseball remain an Olympic event and not be replaced by rugby, you're pretty much right on target there. They had the USA market in the palm of their hands with that sport and it was guaranteed good ratings during the Olympic broadcast. Plus it was chalk full of good ole USA human interest stories. Rugby not so much.

[Reality]

Why do you think the broadcast dedicated half the time to fluff about USA winning the gold medal in 1924 and 1928 (failed to mention that there were only 3 teams in the competition because all the rugby nations of the world rejected the Olympics and carried on with their established tour schedules), and only half on the "club sports" athletes actually competing?

Because NBC knows these are just college kids playing a club sport and not legit athletes that are going to create magic on the field.

I hope it works out great and grows the game, but it is all hinged on USA qualifying for the 2016 games. If they don't qualify, NBC will put rugby way on the back burner and during the games when Fiji or Samoa win the gold they will do a nice puff piece to fill time between the USA team competing in basketball or women's soccer or the gymnastics or swimming or athletics or...you get it.

[College]

Just ignore this bitter schmuck.

[College]

And the reality is there WILL be Olympians coming out of this competition. How you can deny that is incredible.

[dr love]

Reality, totally agree.

[Reality]

USA doesn't get past Canada and Argentina to qualify, no Olympiads.

Do you not understand logic?

[6 pathtic souls x 10 anon comments each = GL]

It is important to remember GL and RM are not a reflection of public opinion.

A very small percentage of the US rugby community visits these two sites. My guess is its somewhere less than 5%. Therefore 95% of our 100,000+ participates and their families never visit these sites. This must be disheartening for those pathetic souls trying so hard to sway public opinion with their comments.

In a typical GL thread there are a half dozen losers who take turns posting 10 comments each. They hate the successful teams, they hate successful organizations like the CRC, they hate that the game is moving beyond them.

Anon message boards becomes their only tool as the game drifts away from them. They privately understand their bitterness and wouldn't even post the same comments on a site like Facebook because it lacks the anonymity their pathetic situation requires.

The reality is the best teams are just that. The best people and organization are the proven best. The CRC is the most successful college rugby competition in the history of US rugby.

[MattD]

"Lets see, the organizers pay all the team cost, flights, ground transport, lodging and meals." ~ CRC Fan

CRC Fan - that's not necessarily entirely correct. Yes the CRC pays for everything up front, but then they stick you with the bill of "selling" 300 tickets to the event. For most teams outside a 2 hour drive, Its darn near impossible to do. Life did the best I think I've ever seen in the past couple of years for being that far away, and I dont even think they sold 300 weekend passes. Maybe Im wrong on Life. But either way that's a $10,000 entrance fee in my opinion...

Dont get me wrong. Its a FANTASTIC event and every college team should want to be there, but "free" it is NOT.

and Haystacks Calhoun - I 100% agree with your last comment... Hey USA Sevens CRC - STOP HIGHLIGHT INJURIES you jagoffs! We're trying to grow the sport and get kids playing the game. And with Mom and Dad watching and seeing your idiotic piece on how all these kids busted their heads, knees, arms...etc in 15's... it doesn't really help the case. I get beyond pissed every time I see that shit. F-ing morons...

[Reality]

@6x10

Classic! You don't like the message because it is true, so you try to create an unattractive profile of the anonymous poster of said truth coupled with a statement that the true message is not getting out to an audience the poster is presumably targeting.

Oh yeah. Way to call Kurt a complete dickhead with a blog nobody reads. Classy.

[Sergeant Hulka]

Reality:
I'm shocked, SHOCKED! that NBC is promoting rugby as a future Olympic sport, especially since NBC invests hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting rights for the Olympics. The nerve they have, I'm beside myself.
Baseball was a stinker in the Olympics. Nobody gave a rat's butt who won. I'm totally fine if they exploit college rugby players for their own gain.

Pathetic: I love it when anonymous posters try and call out anonymous posters. I think more than one poster here supports the CRC format. If you chose to read a bit you'd figure that out.

Sorry, gotta go...my Mom is calling from upstairs, lunch is ready!

[Reality Is A Bitch!]

To All The Haters:

By 2017, on the back of the USA team winning an Olympic gold medal in Rio, the CRC will be the biggest most profitable 7s event in the world played in the largest stadiums in the country.

[St Marys of Annapolis]

I get a kick out of these blowhards defending CRC and blasting USA Rugby. Like its one or the other. USA Rugby for not having its act in order for years now. CRC for BSing the American community