Rugby Club Builds Camaraderie On and Off The Field

The vast majority of male athletes have either played soccer or 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 has been hooked on rugby since discovering the game eight years ago. Although he enjoys the more conventional sports, Mroz found his true love in rugby.

                                                                                                                                                                                           “I would have traded in a second had I known what rugby was and the camaraderie, sportsmanship and family it offers. Ever since I started playing rugby, I realized that I wish I had known about this sport years ago,” said Mroz.

                                                                                                                                                                                      “That is why I always try to get people to just come out and try it. I guarantee you will like it,” said Mroz assuredly.

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 (metnyrfu.org) All-Star team and played against the Crawshays Rugby Football Club from Wales.on Thursday May 26 at Randall's Island.

According to Mroz, there is no physical blueprint for rugby success. “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’ roster contains a wide range of talent, ranging from recent high school graduates attending local schools to players over 50. 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,” said Mroz, who is a nonstop ambassador of the sport, wishing to quash misconceptions.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    “Many people call it a thugs’ sport and it’s all about violence and drinking. 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,” said Mroz.

A rugby team has 15 players on the field of play, with each team is numbered the exact same way. The number of each player signifies that player's position. Players numbered 1-8 are forwards, who 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 abilities as American football linebackers and lineman. Players numbered 9-15 are backs, who tend to be the smaller, faster and more agile players. Their main role is to exploit possession of the ball that is won by the forwards, similar to the roles of American football's running backs, wide receivers and quarterbacks. 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,” said Mroz. 

And 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. 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,” said Mroz, who added that the end of game parties are a reward for the 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 signing songs. 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.”