Currently holding an impressive 4-1 record, Saint Francis’s varsity boys’ rugby team has dominated their season so far, beating other teams by landslides both inside and outside WCAL. A popular sport in countries such as South Africa, Ireland, and New Zealand among others, our very own Saint Francis rugby team started as a club sport in the 2022–2023 season by Class of 2024 alumni George Jelley and has since grown immensely as a sport locally.
Many people compare rugby to American football, and although there are similarities, both sports have various distinct qualities. For example, in rugby, there are 15 players on the pitch from each team and players do not wear any padding or helmets, competing in just their uniforms. Although there are still tackles, scoring, and kick conversions, similar to football, a game does not stop after a tackle and instead players can still continue driving the ball down the field. The game is only stopped for penalties, tries, and throw-ins.
With a smaller roster size of 22 players, the Saint Francis team is very close-knit. Shepherd Cremer (’25) notes, “Our team culture is teamwork and performance centered.” Especially with so many people out on the field, “working well as a team is vital to success on the pitch.” All players have to come together to fulfil their roles, score points, and defend the team’s score.
As any team knows, playing well together starts in practice and the Lancers practice every day after school, with games on the weekends. A typical day starts with touch rugby where players just touch their opponent instead of tackling them. Cremer says that “the best part of practice is playing touch and messing around as a team.” Following that, the team warms up and conditions to maintain their endurance. The remaining practice time is filled with focusing on skills and running set plays as a team.
Because the Lancers are a young team, as they are only competing in their third year, they are still establishing traditions. Regardless, they make a point to come together and say a prayer after every practice and before every game, which unifies them and helps them focus.
Although the team doesn’t have as many opportunities to compete, they have taken their opportunities in stride. They won against Saint Ignatius and Junipero Serra High School, beating the teams 74-12 and 50-7 respectively. One very notable match for the team was against Jesuit High School this past weekend. The team beat the Marauders 43-24. This win solidified the Lancers’ opportunity to play in the NorCal championship and gives them the chance to play for the Division 1 State Championship in Southern California if they win their next match.
As a new addition to Varsity Athletics, the Lancers have already proven their prowess on the field. Come support the Lancers in their postseason run as they start with the NorCal Championship on March 1 in a rematch against De La Salle High School at St. Mary’s College!
