Aussies show Americans how rugby is played

Aussies show Americans how rugby is played
Submitted by: MCB Hawaii
Story Identification Number: 2003626214449
Story by Lance Cpl. Monroe F. Seigle



MARINE CORPS BASE HAWAII, KANEOHE BAY, Hawaii(June 21, 2003) -- United States Marines made several attempts to defeat the Australians, but did not succeed. But, at least the Americans went out fighting like true warriors.

This was the case when the Australian Soldiers from the 1st Royal Australian Regiment challenged Marines from MCB Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, to a game of rugby June 21 at Pop Warner Field.

Rugby is a traditional sport that is often played in Australia, which is similar to football, but without the use of helmets and other protective gear.

The object of the full-contact sport is to score a "try" by reaching the end zone that is being protected by the opposing team. The athlete running the ball must break the end zone and place the ball on the ground without being tackled. If tackled in the end zone with the football, it is not considered a score.

The game started in the same way it finished - with both teams trying to destroy the other.

The first period of the game proved to be brutal, as neither team scored, both witnessed three players from their teams lying on the ground in pain.

The Australians knocked on the American doors at the end of the first period, but came up empty, missing a try by inches.

The second period was even more intense than the first. With adrenaline pumping and fans going wild, the Americans stormed the field and tried to break the tough Australian defense. Once again, U.S. Marines came up empty handed. The Australian defense was solid a brick wall.

The Australians dominated the second half of the game, gaining possession of the ball for more than half the period. The second period came to a close with more bruised players and a tied zero score.

It appeared both teams were tired of playing nice in the final period. The Australians scored first when Jamie Williams moved smoothly around the American defense and into the end zone, with a huge smile on his face, to make the score 5-0, followed by a conversion to add another two points to the lead.

To add insult to injury, Williams pulled the same trick twice in a row to make the score 14-0.

Bruised and battered, the Americans regrouped. Imitating the Australians, the Americans scored two trys in a row, followed by two successful conversions to tie the score 14-14.

The guys from "down under" were not going to allow the Americans to beat them at their favorite pastime.

Raicebe Tevita moved faster than lightning and put three American defenders in the dirt and danced into the end zone to take the lead once again.

After a successful conversion, the Aussies were on top, 21-14.

Going out like true warriors, the Australians decided to add insult to injury and broke down the walls of the American defense once again. Inside center Ronald Nakata broke into the end zone untouched, and the Australians managed another two-point conversion, ending the game with a 27-14 win over the Americans.

"It was a tough game," said Australian defender Mark Ryan. "They played better than we thought. We have to give them merit for that. We all had a good time playing rugby with them, and we thank them for hosting us."


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Australian defenders were tough and proved to be quite powerful during a rugby game June 21 with U.S. Marines at Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay's Pop Warner Field. The Australian Royal Army allowed no holes in its defense and eventually won the contest, 27-14.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Monroe F. Seigle


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When U.S. Marines met the challenge offered by the Australian Royal Army for a friendly game of rugby, they discovered rugby is a full-contact sport that requires players to constantly tackle one another. The guys from "down under" triumphed, 27-14, despite an impressive showing by the Marines in action at Pop Warner Field, Marine Corps Base Hawaii, Kaneohe Bay, June 21.
Photo by: Lance Cpl. Monroe F. Seigle



Sempers,

Roger
:marine: