By Andy Hutchison

WESTPORT — From lineouts during which teammates are hoisted up in the air attempting to catch the ball to bruising tackles of practically pad-less ball carriers, rugby certainly is an entertaining, at times seemingly chaotic, sport.

Just ask members of the Staples High boys rugby team who take on competitors from Fairfield Prep, Greenwich, Fairfield Ludlowe, Trumbull, along with Rye and Georgetown Prep throughout the spring.

Similar to football and played by Connecticut teams on the very same field as the football teams, the sport features two teams going head-to-head (sometimes literally) with the objective to score in the end zone. Instead of a touchdown worth six points rugby players score a try which is five points. The point after attempt in football is worth a single point and the conversion, a similar kick from an off angle, is worth two. In both cases the ball is kicked through the uprights. The football pigskin and a rugby ball are similar in size and shape. Football features 11 players on each side and rugby has 15.

Another variation: in American football, the offense gets four opportunities to move the ball ten yards, and both sides catch their breath after each of those plays. In rugby, the action basically never stops.

“It’s nonstop action and it’s a lot of fun. If you like tackling you’ll love it,” said Staples Coach Jack Corcoran, who played at Fairfield Prep and Southern Connecticut State University, and has continued to compete with the Fairfield Yankees and Danbury clubs.

Teams attempt to score but, due to the nature of the sport there are times it is best to kick the ball away, rather than risk turning the ball over and giving up a try. There are rules that allow players to recover their own team’s kicks. 

“It’s a field position and possession balance,” Corcoran said.

There are no helmets and face masks in rugby, only soft but padded shells–if anything at all–worn by rugby players.

“Learning how to be physical but composed is really important,” Corcoran said.

As much as the players beat on each other there is a high level of respect on full display with opposing athletes sometimes helping others stretch out a cramp on the field, for example.

Just like in football, and any other sport, there is a lot of teamwork involved, but rugby’s way of restarting play is certainly unique. There is a little bit of soccer with the ball being thrown in from a sideline but, not at all like any other sport (except perhaps pairs figure skating or dancing) rugby players actually lift teammates up high to attempt to get possession. This is called a lineout. And it is absolutely unlike anything you’ll see in another competition.

The Wrecker program has won state titles in 2022 and ’24 and, this year, is in a bit of a building mode with some lesser-experienced players improving as they go while remaining very competitive. Staples nearly overcame a 24-point deficit before falling by just two points in a game against Georgetown Prep.

“They’ve been building each and every week. This is a really close-knit family. They play for each other,” the coach said.

In a 26-19 win over visiting Ludlowe on April 24, Torin Cosgrove, Logan Rotolo scored tries and Finnbarr Mulcahy took care of kicking duties with conversions and penalty kicks which are good for three points. Mike Wang, who carried the ball often and also was hoisted to catch the lineout restart, was Man of the Match. Adrian Nashawaty, who organizes the offense and communicates the plays, and Connor Cohen, with some key tackling, also had standout performances, the coach said.

Staples is led by its three captains Mulcahy, Torin and Hudson Torres.

“I think it is such a good way to bond with your teammates and it’s a physical game. It’s definitely intense — the adrenaline is amazing,” Torres said.

Staples, after a May 1 visit to Trumbull at 5 p.m., closes out the regular season with a home game against Fairfield Prep Friday, May 8 at 7 p.m.

Andy Hutchison

^{_{Andy Hutchison has been covering school sports — including Staples athletics — as well as news and feature stories, since the 1990s. He is the sports editor at the Newtown Bee. He writes for the Monroe Sun. He was director of communications and radio color commentator for the Bridgeport Sound Tigers (now Islanders) hockey team. He has won numerous writing awards, including regional and national first-place honors.}}