One for the ages

​Gaels Rugby Wins National Title

Image c/o Francis Tatem 

By Oliver Collins
Sports Reporter

​

In a thrilling display, the Gaels secured victory in the Collegiate Rugby National Championship on May 4th, cementing themselves as a College Rugby powerhouse. With a culmination of relentless training, team bonding, and the unwavering support of fans, the biggest stage wasn’t too much for a team that won 20 times before their 26-22 win against Navy to finish off a dominant season.

Under the guidance of coach Tim O’Brien, a top-tier fly-half in his college days at Cal, the team set a clear goal from the start of the season - win. Fullback Mario Storti was eager to highlight the early stages of the season as the foundation of a strong culture. “You have 15 guys per team all working together for a common goal. When we start at the beginning of the year in September, we make many visits to the hills and are conditioned into the ground by our Head Coach, Tim O'Brien.” said Storti, “We are all on the same playing field and the shared suffering in the beginning sets us up for success in the long run. When you have gone through something with your teammates that you could not imagine going through, you grow closer together.” But the Gaels, a team that won multiple games by a score of one hundred points or more, don’t just gain momentum from their A-team players. B and C teams bring the energy to almost every game, intensifying the environment and bringing the energy to Saint Mary’s Stadium.

A lot goes into being a successful team, but togetherness seems to be the most tried and true method of any great group. Rugby is one of the only sports that rely on every single player on the pitch to prosper. From wing forward to tighthead prop, every position matters. Size, however, does not. Whether you’re strong, quick, shifty, or just straight-up hard-headed, a rugby team is all about how well you play together. How were the Gaels able to dominate so many teams this season? Highlighting heart over size may be the answer.