The team was finally back in action on Waterfall field on Thursday after a long layoff from regular practices due to the inclement weather and snow that has been harassing North Carolina for the last two weeks. It was nice to see guys getting their hands dirty once again, and the hard work that each player has put in over the past two weeks was evident in a surprisingly crisp practice.
As we head into a difficult weekend slate including games against Clemson and in-state rival UNC, I think the team knows that 160 minutes of rugby over two days could very well “make or break” our season. The last time that I can remember playing two games of such great magnitude in one weekend was the 2008 Division II South Final Four, which included a triple overtime victory on day one of the tournament. Exhausted from playing over 100 minutes of rugby that Saturday, we never quite seemed to have that next level of intensity and fire on Sunday in the Championship game. Fitness was pivotal that weekend, and it will certainly be a factor this weekend with two tough, important games on the docket. Although the weather had prevented the squad from practicing on its normal outdoor field recently, the team has been working especially hard on fitness and hitting the gym. Hopefully we will see all that hard work pay off this weekend with a couple victories.
As we head into a difficult weekend slate including games against Clemson and in-state rival UNC, I think the team knows that 160 minutes of rugby over two days could very well “make or break” our season. The last time that I can remember playing two games of such great magnitude in one weekend was the 2008 Division II South Final Four, which included a triple overtime victory on day one of the tournament. Exhausted from playing over 100 minutes of rugby that Saturday, we never quite seemed to have that next level of intensity and fire on Sunday in the Championship game. Fitness was pivotal that weekend, and it will certainly be a factor this weekend with two tough, important games on the docket. Although the weather had prevented the squad from practicing on its normal outdoor field recently, the team has been working especially hard on fitness and hitting the gym. Hopefully we will see all that hard work pay off this weekend with a couple victories.
The game this Saturday marks the home opener for the men’s rugby team, and the guys are excited to give their fans something to cheer for. “There’s really not much that can compare to the feeling you get when you take the field for a home match,” my housemate Christian Jewett told me. “Since it's Valentine’s Day, I’ve got a few ladies in town for the weekend that I need to impress, so I’ll definitely be giving it everything I can on the field to bring home the victories.” Brendan Shea added, “Yeah, I think it gives the guys a little something extra to play for. Obviously we play 100 percent for each other out there, the guys on the team, but it’s always good to get a win for our supporters on the sideline.”
With the first two home games of the Carolinas League season ahead, I expect my teammates to come out firing on all cylinders, and hopefully that intensity will translate to a couple of much needed wins for the team.
- Mike Wills, '10
Mike Wills is a senior center whose Wake rugby career ended prematurely when he tore his ACL in October. Mike has been writing a weekly blog giving his perspective on the team as it competes in the inaugural season of the Carolinas Rugby League.
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