The circle of players stretched silently under the direction of one of the stalwarts of the team. A spectator may have perceived this as a lack of motivation but he or she would be mistaken. Each rugger in his own way was preparing mentally for the upcoming challenges to be faced on the pitch. Time and time again this was the ritual of a team, not a group of individuals, focusing on controlling each aspect of the game: scrumdowns, lineouts, rucks, mauls, passing, supporting, tackling, kicking; to reach one common goal, WIN! It was proving to be a successful approach to a game sometimes characterized as wildly out of control.

As the captain came back to the huddle the rest of the players were taking the time for last minute preparations. "Stay loose. Stretch it out. AAARRRGH! Let’s kill ‘em. Settle down. Focus on what we gotta do. Okay, let’s bring it together." The teammates thrust their hands in the middle of the tightknit circle. This was it. This is what it comes down to. One final chant before the match.

One, Two, Three, DISCIPLINE!!!!!!!! Let the games begin!!!

As the referee’s whistle blew for the final time signaling the end of the second match, the battle-tested warriors stepped off the pitch to the cheers of teammates and supporters. Damn, it felt good to win! Not only to win, but to win convincingly.

Being the next to last weekend of rugby for the season, the Western Suburbs Rugby Football Club had reason to celebrate. Each and every player had given his all to make this a successful season. Time and time again, ‘Burbs proved that with a lot of heart, determination, overall superior fitness and a dedication by both players and coaches we withstood every obstacle put forth against us, whether it was bigger packs, more experienced players, penalties, or injuries.

A new attitude has taken hold of this team, this brotherhood brought together by a love of a sport known the world over as RUGBY! One in which we all stepped onto the pitch this season not just thinking, knowing the opposing team had to stop us, our game plan of running all over the pitch playing full field rugby. Not as one player but as one team. It’s not over yet. We got one more to go, let’s get it done.

CHEERS BROTHERS!

Mike Kramer, 10/24/00