Northeastern 7′s Team Heads To National Championship Tournament

Rugby 7’s growth in popularity is directly related to the addition of this frenetic & exciting version of the more traditional rugby 15’s game to the Olympics. When the torch is brought to Rio de Janeiro in 2016 dozens of nations will compete for the first medal in rugby since the United States brought home the gold medal in the 1924 Paris games.

The emphasis on 7’s rugby has taken different paths at Northeastern. While coached & pushed for in the past, new head coach Jamie Green sought an experienced 7’s player to act as head of the program for the Club. Enter Greg Bruce. Coach Bruce has long experience in the 7’s game, dating back to his collegiate years, through his club 7′s experiences with the Boston Irish Wolfhounds, overseas tournaments and opportunities with the game including the Lalomanu 7′s in Samoa, and he has most recently coaching U-19 players through the Bay State Games and a summer 7′s competition. Coupled with the assistance of the coaching staff, Bruce instituted a specific style of play which has proved successful with other programs he’s been associated with in the past.

“We really felt that, given the depth of talent at Northeastern, our 7’s program could be one of the best in the nation,” said Coach Bruce.

Taking one night a week to focus solely on 7’s training was the first step. A dogged conditioning schedule and particular emphasis on basic skills, allowed the Huskies to develop a more cohesive and fluid game plan.

At the East Coast Rugby 7’s Championship the Huskies used those training sessions effectively. Northeastern ran the table that day, going undefeated into the finals – winning comfortably in nearly every match. In the finals extra time was needed, but the fitness & focus on the 7’s system proved the difference as a try was dotted down for win and send the Huskies to the 2^nd Annual USA Rugby 7’s Collegiate Championship.

Departing on November 29^th, the selected 15 players will travel to College Station, Texas. The task will not be easy – Northeastern will face a challenging pool with defending National Champion Life University; Big Ten Champion Wisconsin; and relative unknown Colorado State.

Northeastern knows not to take anything for granted. “This is a unique opportunity. Few rugby players ever get to participate in something like this. The players realize that and, given how hard they’ve been training, know they can compete with these teams,” said Coach Bruce.

To be successful the Huskies will need to put the skills they developed together, focus on the basics, and hope for some fortuitous bounces.

“Rugby 7’s is crazy. Anything can happen and momentum shifts in a manner of seconds,” comments Coach Jamie Green. “We just need to capitalize and play to our strengths – and we have plenty.”

With confidence, and a strong deep pool of talent, the Huskies look to make their mark on the national stage and bring some of their own glory back home.

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Northeastern University Rugby 7’s National Championship Panel:

1. Sebastian Voigt

2. Diego Armando Maquieira

3. Alex Goodall

4. Shane Tyksinski

5. Ty Taylor

6. Chris Frazier

7. Matt Murphy

8. Mike Dello Russo

9. Peter Hsi

10. Aaron Smith

11. Aaron Reich

12. Brian Ustas

13. James Sue

14. Greg McInerney

15. Franco Liebenberg

Alternates:

Angus MacDonald

Collin Applegate

 

Coaches:

Greg Bruce

Jamie Green

Adam Zilcoski

Derek Tommy

 

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