From On-Field Scrums to Barroom Songs, Union County Rugby Gains Followers

Most male athletes have played soccer, football or both, but few have experienced rugby, which combines many of the skills inherent in the two popular fall sports. According to Westfield’s Bob Mroz of the Union County Mudturtles Rugby Club they don't know what they’re missing.

Mroz has played football, baseball and wrestling, both on the club and varsity level at . But he became hooked on rugby when he discovered the game eight years ago. 

“I would have traded in a second had I known what rugby was and the camaraderie, sportsmanship and family it offers," Mroz said. "Ever since I started playing rugby, I realized that I wish I had known about this sport years ago.... That is why I always try to get people to just come out and try it. I guarantee you will like it."

To the unitiated, rugby is played at a fast pace, with few stoppages and continuous possession changes. All players on the field, regardless of position, must be able to run, pass, kick and catch the ball as well as tackle and defend, making each position both offensive and defensive in nature. There is no blocking of the opponents like in football, and only five substitutions per game allowed for each team. The match consists of two 40-minute halves.

Mroz was one of two players from the Mudturtles who made the Metro New York All-Star team and played against the Crawshays Rugby Football Club from Wales on May 26 at Randall's Island.

There is no physical blueprint for rugby success, Mroz said. “Anyone can play – big, small, fast, slow. There is a position for everyone and everyone has a job to do that contributes to the entire team. We see a lot of football players and wrestlers, which are very physical sports themselves, but are easily converted when they try it.”

The Mud Turtles’ members come from a wide variety of backgrounds, from recent high school graduates attending local schools to 50-year-olds and up. The team includes lawyers, doctors, electricians, plumbers, policemen, state troopers and their families.

“Rugby is an extended family. The wives, children, friends and girlfriends all are just as important as the guy who is sweating and bleeding next to you at practice and games,” Mroz said.

As a local ambassador for the sport, he also sets out to dispel popular misconceptions about the game. “Many people call it a thugs’ sport and it’s all about violence and drinking," he said. "There is an old saying about soccer being a gentlemen’s game played by hooligans, and rugby is a hooligan’s game played by gentlemen."

A rugby team has 15 players on the field of play. Each player's number signifies his position. Players numbered one through eight are forwards – they are typically the larger, stronger players of the team whose main job is to win possession of the ball. These players are similar in size and ability to American football linebackers and linemen. Players numbered nine through 15 are "backs," who tend to be the smaller, faster and more agile players. Their main role is to exploit possession of the ball, similar to the role of American football's running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks (in rugby, however, the ball cannot be tossed forward – it must be thrown laterally or behind). The Mudturtles finished their season with a 5-1 record and play their home games at Unami Park in Garwood.

“Rugby is a rough game, but we wear little or no protective equipment, so safety is the primary concern for all of us. We don’t get paid for this and we all have jobs and families to support. That’s understood when you step out on the field to do battle. I want to hit you and let you know that I'm here to win, but I'm not out to hurt you or myself,” Mroz said. 

So why do everyday-people with jobs and responsibilities put themselves through such a risky sport? “There is no feeling like pushing yourself to what you think are your limits, only to find out that you can and will surpass those limits for the greater benefit of your brother doing the same right next to you," Mroz stated. "The brotherhood and family that you are a part of all have the same goal and are all striving for the same thing to win and play your best.”

Plus post-game parties offer welcome rewards for hard play.

“We go to the party after because we want to celebrate the camaraderie and the courage after the game by hosting the traveling team and singing songs," Mroz said. "As rugby grows in this country, it has gotten better... better skills, better refereeing, better coaching, and most of all. Better athletes who want to play at a higher level. That is the direction we are heading. Rugby is the best sport in the world.”