Carolinas Rugby League

Welcome to the home of the Carolinas Rugby League:
An elite collegiate conference of USA Rugby

Preview by CRL Commissioner Andy Richards, with contributions by CRL webmaster Erik Geib

The fall season is now in the rear view mirror and we’re starting to look on down the road towards the start of the first ever Carolinas Rugby League. When the idea of this league was hatched, choosing a champion from the 7 teams was a difficult task. Well, with the closure of the fall season, picking a favorite to win the league is even harder.

The 3 Division One teams will be fighting for the right to play Arkansas State in the South Final Four. But who is going to be in the best shape to be able to give the Red Wolves a run for their money?

Clemson University Tigers
Division 1 | Established 1967 | Team Website | LAU: Palmetto
Head Coach: Wright Henry | President: Appie Wells

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"Clemson have had a couple of rough seasons, but have been going quietly about their business rebuilding their squad. Their fall season has been fairly low-key but the games they have played will have given them more confidence going into the first game at home against East Carolina. Although this league has probably come a year too early for Clemson, I can still see them upsetting any team that thinks they can take them lightly, especially in their own back yard.

My prediction: Might cause the odd upset but will do well to finish in the middle of the table."

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 3-1
Record (+ shorter matches): 6-3

Notes:
Clemson lost early in the season to CRL foe Appalachian State, but rebounded to breeze past Kennesaw State, Western Carolina, and Greenville (senior men's)... The Tigers are one of the South's more storied programs, appearing in the USA Rugby Division I 'National Round of 16' 5 times, including appearances in 2007, 2006, 2005, 1998, and 1996... Clemson was also the USA Rugby South Division I Champions in 2006, 1998, and 1996.

University of North Carolina Tarheels
Division 1 | Established 1966 | Team Website | LAU: North Carolina
Head Coach: Mike Groenewald | President: Ryan Wright

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"North Carolina has gone unbeaten through the fall season winning the North Carolina State title in the process. Victories over Georgia Tech, Wake Forest, NC State and a respectable 29 all draw away to Radford will have bolstered their confidence. But this Tarheel side is very young, and although a very fit squad, can have lapses in concentration that might cost them dear. Despite their ridiculously small home field, on paper, they should win the title, but rugby isn’t played on paper!

My prediction: Should win the title, but may slip up (perhaps in Boone or Winston-Salem) along the way. "

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 4-0-1
Record (+ shorter matches): 4-0-1

Notes:
UNC was 2-0 against CRL opponents in non-league matches, posting wins over both Wake Forest and NC State in the NC State Tournament... The Tarheels are the current North Carolina Rugby Union Collegiate Champions... UNC has made the USA Rugby Division I 'National Round of 16' 3 times, last appearing in 2004... UNC also won USA Rugby South's Division I Championship in 2004, 2003, and 2001... In last year's Division I Premier League, UNC finished 4th overall out of 7 teams.

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"South Carolina is a very well run program that is going from strength to strength. Regularly running out 3 teams, they appear to have the strength in depth to be able to cope with the Carolinas league schedule of 6 games in 7 weekends. Built on the foundation of a big and mobile pack, USC look to be the front-runners. But whether or not they will be able to translate this into a run at getting into the Nationals is another matter.

My prediction: One of the title favorites, but winning away in Chapel Hill and Raleigh will be tough."

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 6-0
Record (+ shorter matches): 14-3

Notes:
South Carolina played in 3 tournaments this fall (Rucktoberfest, Palmetto State Tournament, and the SEC Tournament), and was the only school to face off against Division I competition - the club lost to #6 LSU, but beat Georgia at the SEC Tournament... Against CRL opponents, the Gamecocks were 3-0 in 80-minute matches after struggling at Rucktoberfest, beating Appalachian State, NC State, and East Carolina in Columbia, SC... The Gamecocks are the current Palmetto Rugby Union Collegiate Champions... USC will also be fielding its 'C' side in Division III competition this spring, competing in the Palmetto League.

The four Division Two sides in the Carolinas Rugby League all have a very good pedigree at being able to compete at Division Two level nationally and because of the increased competitive nature of the league, I think the 2 teams that go forward from the league could go very deep into the nationals.

Appalachian State University (AHO) Mountaineers
Division 2 | Established 1976 | Team Website | LAU: North Carolina
Head Coach: N/A | President: Benjamin Llewellyn

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"Appalachian State is a team that has benefited from the rapidly expanding High School rugby programs in the Carolinas. Their backline bristles with talent and will be more than a match for any team in the league. Sometimes let down by a lack of discipline, if App State can keep all their players on the field they could upset the D1 sides and win the title.

My prediction: Could win the title, but might find 6 games in 6 weeks tough."

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 3-2
Record (+ shorter matches): 8-2

Notes:
AHO was 2-1 against CRL opponents in 80-minute matches, losing to USC while defeating ECU and Clemson... The Mountaineers also defeated Clemson to claim the 2009 Rucktoberfest Tournament Championship, a tournament the club annually hosts each year in Boone, NC... Their 5-0 record at Rucktoberfest also includes victories over USC, College of Charleston, and UNC-Charlotte... Ironically, AHO also lost to College of Charleston in an 80-minute affair away from home.

East Carolina University Pirates
Division 2 | Established 1975 | Team Website | LAU: North Carolina
Head Coach: N/A | President: Justin Bourgeois

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"East Carolina has struggled this fall after a couple of very successful years. Losing so many senior players at once has hurt the Pirates. With a smaller squad and lots of young players East Carolina don’t look to be capable of making a run at the play-offs in 2010. The center partnership of Justin Bourgeois and Matt Hughson will always make teams struggle, if they can get enough ball.

My prediction: I see them improving as the league goes on but they will struggle to stay off the bottom of the league."

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 1-3
Record (+ shorter matches): 2-5

Notes:
ECU struggled in collegiate play this fall, but did defeat Cape Fear, a men's senior Division II club... The Pirates were 0-3 against CRL foes, losing to both Appalachian State and USC, as well as NC State in the North Carolina State Tournament... ECU is the only club in the CRL to feature a 144-meter length field, which provides tactical kicking sides an incredible advantage.

North Carolina State University Wolfpack
Division 2 | Established 1965 | Team Website | LAU: North Carolina
Head Coach: Robert McCallister | President: Phillip Burcal

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"North Carolina State more than any other team in the league is benefiting most from High School rugby in North Carolina, and it’s starting to show. Although they’ve had a patchy season, being beaten by Duke for the first time in many years. When it matters though, NC State are capable playing tough against any team in the league. If they improve their conditioning and continue to play to their strengths, then NC State could have a real chance in the league.

My prediction: Might surprise a few teams at home and make the D2 play-offs."

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 3-4
Record (+ shorter matches): 6-5

Notes:
The Wolfpack went 1-2 against CRL foes in 80-minute affairs, defeating ECU while losing to both UNC and USC on the road... NC State lost to Duke in an 80-minute match, but performed well at Rucktoberfest, defeating USC, Elon, and College of Charleston before falling to Clemson in a semi-final match-up.

Wake Forest University Demon Deacons
Division 2 | Established 1973 | Team Website | LAU: North Carolina
Head Coach: Patrick Kane | President: Mike Duffy

Commissioner Richards's Take:

"Wake Forest has the ability to win the league title. Built around a solid pack of seasoned players Wake play good patterns in all areas of the field and know how to score once they get into the opposition 22. However, I still have a question mark where their conditioning is concerned and not being able to close out tight games in the final quarter, points to this. They also had a pretty rough fall season with regards to injuries; several key players sustained long-term injuries and will be out for the rest of the year.

My prediction: They have a shot at the title if they work hard over the winter."

CarolinasRugby.Com Stat Line: Fall 2009:
Record (80 min. games): 5-2
Record (+ shorter matches): 5-2

Notes:
Wake Forest's only losses were to its alumni and undefeated UNC... Their victories include wins over Myrtle Beach (senior men's), Georgia Tech, Davidson, Lander, and perennial D3 power Furman... Wake Forest is also the smallest CRL member by enrollment, with just over 4,400 undergraduate students, and the only private university in league competition.