HIGHLIGHTS: USA bag first ever series Cup win

Player Profile - D.J. Monroe

This past weekend the Pacific Cup took place down in southern California, as was documented very well by Alex Goff on Goff Rugby Report. As I scrolled down the list of teams participating I noticed the Bay Barbarians where participating, a team put together to participate from my original neck of the woods. After doing some digging I recognized a name on the list of players , Monroe. I reached out to D.J. Monroe to see if he would like to answer a few questions about his time playing in the Pacific cup and how he was introduced to the game of Rugby. D.J. is only a sophomore but has a very bright future ahead of him in the sport, not just a work horse on the field but also one off the field and a multi sport athlete. I would like to publicly call out, invite, those on the coaching staff for the HSAA's and up to speak with this young man and to keep track of him as he navigates through high school comp. and moving on to the college game.
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LLR- What school do you currently attend and grade are you in?

D.J..- I attend Westmont High school and I am currently a sophomore.

LLR- How where you introduced into the sport of Rugby?

D.J.- I was introduced to rugby by my dad and Chris Fisher, owner of the Los Gatos club. My dad played when he was younger for a long time and always talked about it, I guess it just sparked my interest.


LLR- What position are you currently playing ?

D.J.- I am currently playing either 8 man, blindside , or open-side flanker.


LLR- A few questions for people to get to know who you are a bit better, what is your favorite rugby team professional or armature level?

D.J. - My favorite rugby team is The New Zealand All Blacks.


LLR- Do you play any other sport in the rugby off season?

D.J.- I play football and I wrestle in my off season.


LLR- Which club team do you look forward to playing during the season?

D.J.- I look forward to playing Peninsula Green.


LLR- How did you come to join the Los Gatos Lions?

D.J.- I became a lion when my dad and I were approached by Chris Fisher and his son, Royce, at a wrestling meet. I was in 8th grade at the time. Chris and my dad had been chatting in the stands while Royce and I were wrestling. After our match, Chris and my dad asked if I was interested in playing rugby for the Los Gatos Lions. Of course I said yes and we went home and signed up that night.


LLR- What professional sports star in any sport do you look up to most?

D.J.- My favorite professional sports player would have to be the 49er's running back, Frank Gore. His work ethic and determination to succeed absolutely amazes me.


LLR- Is there a college in mind you would like to attend, would you like to continue to play rugby there?

D.J.- I am interested in going to St. Mary's and I would like to continue to play rugby there.


LLR- You recently participated in playing in the pacific cup, playing for the Bay Barbarians, can you explain the experience you had and the way players where selected for this team?

D.J. - I do not know how my other teammates were selected for the Bay Barbarians Team. I was invited to play by Coach Moses, an all star selector. He approached my dad and I on the Sunday before the team was supposed to leave for San Diego. He told me he was impressed with my defensive style of play, along with good rucking, and hard running when I did get the ball. He then asked if I was interested in driving down with the varsity Bay All star Team, of course I said yes. My experience at the Pacific Cup was interesting. I quickly realized that I was not the only hard-nosed player and that in fact all the teams that were at the tournament were there for a reason. The rugby was very high quality and very intense. I figured out  how to play in this highly competitive environment in the first few minutes of the first game. Overall I played well and my team slowly molded together.


LLR- Did the team have enough time to practice together and prepare for games against the other clubs participating?

D.J.- The team had no where close to enough time to practice with each other to compete against such high quality competition. The first time we played with each other was 45 minutes before our game during warm ups.


LLR- Is this event something you would like to participate in again if given another chance?

D.J. - I would absolutely participate in the Pacific Cup again just because of how much experience you can earn from competing with such high level teams.

 

LLR- Last two questions, there has been many articles and talk the last few years on athletes in the high school level who are turning to rugby instead of football. What would you say to those who are considering playing but are not quite sure if they should take that final step?

D.J.- Most football players crossing over are scared about the whole no pads thing. My words of encouragement are that rugby teaches you to tackle smartly so there is no need for pads. I would also say that rugby is such a great experience all around with having the ability to tackle or run the ball whenever the opportunity arises. Where in football you play your certain position that does one certain job.

LLR- Lastly if you had a chance to speak with a national team coach, what would you say to them that best describes yourself as a player and person?

D.J.- If I had the chance to describe myself to a national level coach I would tell him that I will do whatever it takes to be one of the best. I always work hard, I show up to practice, I do extra trainings, and I work out on my own. Most importantly I am a leader. I will carry my team on my back for as long as necessary and I will play to the best of my ability and in whatever way that secures the win for my team, be it supportively or selfishly.

 

*If you wish to contact D.J. and speak with him some more you can contact him @ djmonroe27@gmail.com or with Facebook: D.j. Monroe

USA Rugby to play Australia 9/5/2015

USA Rugby to play Australia Wallabies at Chicago’s Soldier Field in Rugby World Cup primer presented by Astellas

CHICAGO (Tuesday, May 12, 2015) – USA Rugby CEO Nigel Melville announced today that the USA Rugby Eagles will make their return to Soldier Field against the Australian Wallabies in a Saturday, September 5 test match, presented by Astellas. The country v. country match will be the final test for both organizations prior to their to departure for the Rugby World Cup in England.

For the second time in less than 12 months the Eagles will play a top-tier international Rugby Union in the Windy City. In a November 2014 fall test, the Eagles took on the reigning world champions the New Zealand All Blacks in front of a sold out, standing-room only crowd.
“We are excited to be returning to Chicago for this important match which will be a final Rugby World Cup send-off game for both teams. Soldier Field provides a unique fan experience and an electric atmosphere,” said Melville.
“Rugby fans from all over the country will make their way out to see another great match against one of the best teams the world of rugby has to offer.”
“Following the success of the USA Rugby Eagles game played in Chicago last year, we are pleased to again welcome the Eagles back to Chicago for another match this fall,” said Mayor Rahm Emanuel. “Chicago is a great sports town with a stellar record of hosting premiere sporting events; from the NFL draft to the Frozen Four hockey championship, Chicago has the amenities, location and ability to attract and host a diverse spectrum of sporting events.”

Australia Rugby Union CEO Bill Pulver was excited when asked about the Labor Day weekend match, saying, “The opportunity to bring the Qantas Wallabies to a new market in the United States is a major boost for our code in Australia. We want to thank USA Rugby for making this opportunity possible.”

Men’s Eagles Coach Mike Tolkin has been with the Eagles since 2009, taking on head coaching duties in 2012. This will be his first time coaching the Eagles against the Wallabies, but Tolkin knows the difficulties that lay ahead. “Having the Wallabies come into Chicago is fantastic opportunity, but a huge challenge,” said Tolkin. “As one of the top teams in the world, Australia will present the Eagles with an immense degree of pressure and difficulty. This will be a perfect test leading up to the World Cup”

The Wallabies are two-time winners at the Rugby World Cup (1991 and 1999) and still hold the record for consecutive wins on Rugby’s biggest stage with 12. Despite their history of success, the Wallabies know this match will not come easy.
“The lead up and match will be critical for our Rugby World Cup preparations,” Wallabies Head Coach Micael Cheika said. "We’re very fortunate we get a chance to face a quality side like the Eagles.

“Although we haven’t met on many occasions, there’s a rich history between our two Rugby nations, with the Eagles playing their first ever test match against the Wallabies some 40 years ago. We know it will be a spirited encounter for that very reason.”

Rugby in the United States has been growing at a torrid pace, with some agencies claiming it is the fastest-growing team sport in the country. The increase in participation has been making waves internationally, as well. “I am delighted that Australia is playing the USA at Soldier Field, Chicago – it is another example of how our sport is growing,” said World Rugby Chairman Bernard Lapasset.

“Rugby is spreading across the globe through the hard work of World Rugby and ambitious unions like USA Rugby. When the Wallabies take on the Eagles it will be another opportunity to show our wonderful game to thousands of potential new fans and players throughout North America and beyond.”

Northbrook-based Astellas Pharma has signed on as the title sponsor of the event.

“Astellas is dedicated to helping people live a healthy life, and we believe that physical activity is a key part of that. The commitment to healthy living that we see from these top-tier rugby players is an example we should all take to heart,” said James Robinson, president of Astellas Pharma US, Inc. “Furthermore, we look forward to bringing many activities to the city leading up to and at the match that will generate excitement for sport, educate about health and engage fans in being active members of the community so many Astellas employees and customers call home.”

General ticket sales will begin on Monday, June 1. Presale opportunities will be available starting Thursday, May 28 for those who join the USA Rugby ticket presale email list. Broadcast details will be released at a later date.

Media

Credentials for the event will be made available through usarugby.org/media-credential. Media requests for the match logo can be requested by emailing nsero@usarugby.org. 

About Astellas

Astellas is a pharmaceutical company dedicated to improving the health of people around the world through provision of innovative and reliable pharmaceuticals. For more information on Astellas, please visit our website at www.astellas.us, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/AstellasUS or like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/AstellasUS.

R is for Rugby Book

 R is for Rugby: An Alphabet Book
takes readers on a learning adventure through the alphabet to explore
this incredible game.  Each letter offers an opportunity to discover
positions, tactics, and terminology that will make even non-ruggers want to lace up their boots! 



want to pre-order your book, click here now!





R is for Rugby: An Alphabet Book is
Mike's debut children's book.  His project was sparked when he noticed a
lack of rugby-related children's books ahead of his daughter's birth. 
He began writing rhymes and illustration ideas on the subway during his
commute from his native Bay Ridge, Brooklyn to work as a science and
math teacher in New York City at Xavier High School.  With encouragement
from his wife the ideas and rhymes written on the N train blossomed
into a vividly illustrated book that both children and adults can
enjoy. 



Mike
has a degree in Life Science and a minor in Business from Penn State
University and a Master's in Secondary Science Education from St.
Joseph's University.  He lives in Brooklyn, NY with his wife, Lauren,
and daughter, Evangeline.  His favorite part of the day is story
time before bed with his  daughter and he hopes that this book can
become a regular in your family's stories as it has become in his.

Life West Glads

In honor of Life West Gladiators having a amazing season and in the playoffs , will be posting info on there playoff run and where there next games will be.
#GoGlads #LWG #GladiatorsRugby