FAQ
Whenever the Rogues are out and about conducting serious business at local taverns, we will commonly hear the same/similar questions being asked of us. For example, “Rochester has a rugby team?” Or better yet, “What the heck is rugby? Is that like football without pads?” The answers to these two questions, as well as a multitude of others, will be answered below in order to better facilitate a breadth of learning among visitors to this site. If you are left wanting more knowledge on a particular item, feel free to contact the team at rogues_rfc@hotmail.com.
“Rochester, MN has a rugby team??”
Why yes, Rochester does indeed have a rugby team and we do in fact play other rugby teams in and around Minnesota. It would be rather foolish to have a page full of team, practice, game information if we were just playing a big prank on everyone in this lovely town. Oh, and for any international blokes who happen by, we exclusively follow union rules here in the Minnesota.
“Ok, cool, you have a rugby team, but seriously, what the heck is rugby?”
Let us get a few things out of the way immediately. No matter what anyone tells you, rugby is nothing like “football without pads” or “soccer with tackling” or “badminton with a complete re-writing of the rules”. It is an entirely unique sport played religiously in the Southern hemisphere and Europe while generating only mild interest in the great US of A.
Here is probably the most basic yet comprehensive description we were able to find on the wonderful internet. It will more than likely confuse you but it does provide the gist of the game. If it still doesn’t help, go to youtube and search for rugby union videos.
Rugby is a continuous game whereby two teams carry, pass, kick and ground the ball in order to score as many points as possible, with the team scoring the greater number of points being the winner.
15 people play at a time per side, each of which has specific duties as a player. Players are usually talked about in respect to two categories. Members of the first group are called the forwards, or the pack, and consist of the first eight players. Members of the second group are called the backs, and consist of the remaining players, numbered 9 to fifteen.
If a player is tackled to the ground they must release the ball, which usually results in a ruck. If a player is held while standing, a maul will usually be formed. The purpose of the ruck or maul is so that the game can continue without any stoppage in play.
The line-out and scrum are two key distinguishing factors to the game of Rugby Union. A scrum occurs when there is an accidental infringement and a line-out occurs when the ball goes out of bounds. Both of these are methods of restarting the game.
A try is scored when a player places the ball in the opposition’s in-goal area. It is counted as 5 points and can be converted to an additional 2 points with a successful place kick or drop kick. Points may also be awarded from a drop kick in general play and a penalty kick. Both are worth 3 points.
“When and where do you guys play/practice?”
Check out the schedule page for times. As far as practice, I don’t know right now. They’re building offices on our old practice field.
“I participated in xxxxx sport, will that crossover to rugby?”
Even if you have never touched a rugby ball in your life, please don’t hesitate to give it a try now. The sports background of the Rogue’s membership is quite diverse. Believe it or not, the largest man on the team was a high school swimming all-star and is currently a ballroom dance aficionado (sorry ladies, he’s already engaged to a hot ‘lil number in her own right). Even the leading scorer for the past 100 years was a former washed-up soccer player who only scored one goal at the varsity level. However, football players do have their uses – especially those who played in Wisconsin state championship games back in like 1995 and still insist on showing the video of said game. Other sports which cross-over very well include wrestling, hockey and beer darts. The point here is to please don’t hesitate to give rugby a shot simply because you’ve never played a contact or team sport before. And how about that! Look how seamlessly this leads into the next question…
“I have done nothing athletic in my life. Can I still play?”
Yeah, but seriously, why would you take up rugby instead of something like jogging or maybe archery? This isn’t exactly a sport you play to get in shape. You get in shape to actually play. However, if you have the desire to play, do not let anything in life deter you from this game!!! We have many people who come out having never played a sport in their life. After they adjust to people laughing at them all the time, they tend to enjoy the game as much as anyone else.
“What do I need to start playing?”
Testosterone (sorry ladies, we only have a men’s team in town). Other than that, a pair of football or soccer cleats and some shorts. It is assumed one would preferable order rugby cleats and rugby shorts at some point after determining this is the sport for them. However, a new pair of cleats is a big commitment so please, feel free to use whatever is on hand.
“Will I get hurt?”
Yes, but probably not all that bad unless your name is Jade or Emerson.
“Is it fun?”
We believe in honesty here in Rochester so let me put this in the most honest, personal way I know. No matter how tired, sore, cold, wet, banged up, hot, dehydrated, etc. I have gotten while playing, I have never once in over 10 years said, “Crap, I didn’t really have fun.” Now, people that know me will testify to the love-hate relationship I have with the game. And while pretty much everyone has heard me say (quite often in fact), I never want to play again, I’ve been out on the damn field every season since I moved back to town. It’s not only a blast, it’s rather addicting.
“I suffer from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, should I still play?”
Absolutely not. And if you know what this means, congratulations. You probably work at Mayo with half the team.