Rugby Team Unites PV-Pen Rivalry

While rugby is not a well-recognized sport in the United States, Peninsula High and Palos Verdes High have helped introduce the game to the South Bay. In 2010, led by Jeremy Wilkinson, the Panthers and Sea Kings united to form the Palos Verdes Rugby Team. In the 2012 season, the squad placed third in Southern California and first among Division 1 teams. Palos Verdes Rugby maintained a 3:1 ratio between points scored and points surrendered, and reached the semi-finals in the regional playoffs. A disappointing loss to Belmont Shore High terminated the team’s winning streak.

“We keep getting better and better,” freshman Kurt Landon said. “More kids are joining, so we have strong varsity and junior varsity teams.”

After the school season concludes, the team offers a club experience that trains its players for upcoming seasons.

Although relatively new, the team is already competing against high-ranked teams. In early February, it traveled to Las Vegas to compete against all-star teams from Mexico, Ireland, France and Canada.

The sport closely resembles a combination American football and soccer, with the style of play being more regulated since the only protective gear allowed to be worn by the players is a “scrum cap.” Fifteen players stand on the field for each team, and points are scored through completing a field-goal, drop-goal, or a try, the equivalent of a touchdown in football, but worth only five points.

“I have never played such an extreme sport at such a high level of play,” senior Jason Tran said. “This sport is fun, but it can be dangerous.”

Through a series of lateral passes, the attackers elude defenders by forcing their way downfield with the rugby ball. In the mosh-pit of players referred to as the “scrum,” the two teams collide and attempt to force the ball free from the ball carriers. Tran stresses that success in the game is achieved through determination and effort.

“We spend hours practicing tackles and correcting procedures,” said Tran. “The game is most fun when everyone plays at his or her best.”

The team has a promising future to look forward to, having won two major tournament championships last year. It continues to recruit healthy athletes to an increasingly popular program in Palos Verdes.