rugby

Russell and Adam are both committed rugby players this season.  They refused to be swayed by peer pressure to play Auskick which is the dominant winter sport on the west coast.  Rugby Union is not big here in Perth.  AFL Aussie rules football is all the rage.  I am still struggling to fine tune my rugby rules and cannot possibly try to learn a completely new game so I am really happy with the boys' choice.  From what I can gather from dinner table talk, Aus Rules is all about passing forward by punching the ball and doing lots of kicking.  There isn't much control to the game and the injuries are rife.  There is a huge following here and the two local teams are the Fremantle Dockers and the West Coast Eagles.  Our family is split down the middle when it comes to cheering on a team but overall we are far more interested in the rugby results.

Adam is just getting into the game and hasn't quite worked out what is required of him.  He is one of the bees who swarms around the ball and is only allowed to tag, no tackling.  He is getting a workout and having great fun experiencing being on a team.  His issued uniform is over sized to say the least and he looks terribly cute out there with a gum guard grin.

Russell is flyhalf and is absolutely loving his game now.  It is a bit more serious at U9 level with tackling, line outs, scrumming, and positional play.  Russell takes it all as seriously as a flyhalf should and is right in the action all the time. 

So it's Pally (or Palmyra rugby club) all the way.  I even had to put a supporter's sticker on my car.  Every Thursday from 5-6pm we are down at the club for training and Saturday mornings you will find us out at matches.  The migrants from the UK, New Zealand and South Africa all flock to the rugby clubs.  Adam's team of 10 players comprises of 8 South Africans!  His team manager is a South African and most of their opponents seem to be South Africans too!  From U9 up to U12 all the coaches are South Africans and many of the players are too.  It is quite weird as it feels just like the side of the SACS field without my dearest Cape Town friends.

This weekend the Western Force take on the Brumbies in Perth and I think we should take our little players to see what real rugby is all about.