The upcoming international matches between New Zealand and Australia over the next two Saturdays provide a chance for rugby union followers to see New Zealand’s Richie McCaw, an openside flanker regarded by many to be the world’s best (though some have suggested his modus operandi runs against the law book at times). He won’t be the only high-profile loose forward on display. You’ll also see a pair of Australian flankers, David Pocock and Rocky Elsom, who drew plenty of praise last week against South Africa. Continue reading ‘Timely Examples for Aspiring Loose Forwards’
As the 2010-2011 season draws nearer, you may find yourself in the market for some new training and match kit and equipment. Although there are a number of suppliers you can use to buy your rugby gear, and Blacksburg Rugby uses a few sources to obtain its “official” kit and supplies, a number of this club’s members use World Rugby Shop to pick up gear now and then. Continue reading ‘Don’t Forget: Use Blacksburg Rugby’s Link to Help Your Club When Shopping at World Rugby Shop’
Although most players never need to throw a lineout ball, a good throw-in is a key part of the lineout package that is so crucial to success in rugby union. For those few who do find themselves tasked with the lineout throw duties, the below video featuring pointers from Kevin Mealamu of the New Zealand All Blacks may be handy. Continue reading ‘Lineout Throws with Kevin Mealamu’
Along with seven-a-side and touch rugby, the American summer also marks a time to see a lot of rugby league in the U.S. and elsewhere. Although there’s not much access to rugby league here in Blacksburg and rugby league’s different laws and logistics mean that a rugby union player should be very selective about what to take from the sport, the conclusion of this week’s State of Origin series provides a very handy lesson from the Queensland representative rugby league side. Continue reading ‘Don’t Be “The One”’
For those involved with rugby union in this part of the country, the summer usually brings a respite from fifteen-man rugby in favor of the seven-a-side and touch variations. For those interested in either, here are a few resources and fun video clips. Continue reading ‘Summer Pastimes: Seven-a-Side and Touch’
Although Blacksburg’s competitive season ended Saturday when we lost to a strong Old Gaelic side, you can still get your fill of rugby this weekend. Continue reading ‘Watch Rugby Union In Person or on the Internet this Weekend’
Once again, it’s time to let us know if you are available for the next match. This time, it’s the first of the Mid-Atlantic knockout rounds at Old Gaelic in Pennsylvania. Continue reading ‘Tell Us Your Availability (and Travel Plans) for Playoff Trip to Old Gaelic in Pennsylvania’
It’s almost playoff time, but first we have a trip to Johnson City, TN, for a final warm-up match. We are using a very short online survey to find out who is available. Continue reading ‘Tell us Your Availability for 17 April Trip to Johnson City, TN’
John Pates, whose generous contributions to the side over the last few years include a lot of great photos, has added a few more with a roll of shots from the Blacksburg “Old Boys” match last month. Have a look at his work below and see plenty more at the Blacksburg Rugby Video and Photos page. Continue reading ‘New Match Day Photo Album from John Pates’
It’s off to Radford this weekend as the Spring 2010 season rolls on. As we did a few weeks back, we’ve put together another very short online survey to find out who is available. Continue reading ‘Tell Us Your Availability for 10 April Matches at Radford’
We are enjoying a wealth of new players with a lot of talent and enthusiasm, so I want to use this forum to provide some resources to get our players (new and old) caught up on some fundamental skills. Continue reading ‘Sir Ian McGeechan Shows You How to Pass, Take the Hit, and More’
Blacksburg’s first match gets underway Saturday, 20 March (Home v. Roanoke, 1 p.m.), so it’s time to start working out who will be available and who will not. It will certainly be a lot easier for the club to prepare if we have a thorough list of available and unavailable players. Continue reading ‘Tell us Your Availability for 20 March Home Match’
Thanks to the efforts of tight forward Cris Mathew and others, a Blacksburg side featuring primarily players from the Edward via Virginia College of Osteopathic Medicine will be traveling to Philadelphia next month to challenge the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine’s rugby club in the inaugural “A. T. Still Osteopathic Cup.” Whether or not you are in on the trip, now is your chance to support the club by purchasing a t-shirt from the event. Continue reading ‘Buy a T-Shirt to Support Blacksburg’s VCOM Players’
After Saturday’s training, be sure to take advantage of a rare opportunity to see top-level college rugby on television. Continue reading ‘Watch Live Broadcast of Top College Rugby This Saturday’
After issuing a laws ruling last year regarding how players should enter a ruck, the International Rugby Board released some guidelines clarifying the laws concerning charging at the ruck. Continue reading ‘IRB Reminds Us to Use Arms at the Breakdown’
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