Abraham Haram is about as easy to tackle as an oak tree.
With three years of experience on the club rugby team, the junior in mechanical engineering pulled no punches when I met his team on the practice field Wednesday afternoon. An Australia native and avid rugby player, I figured I could hold my own with the local guys.
The grapefruit-sized bruise on my right thigh proves otherwise.
And there’s reason why the men’s rugby team has been training so ruthlessly. The season starts this weekend, and the rugby sevens will defend the team’s championship title at the fourth annual ACI Championship, Sept. 17 through 18 in Greensboro.
Squad members say they’re hoping for the same success they had last year, which would earn them an automatic invitation to the first USA Rugby men’s collegiate rugby sevens national championship.
With the introduction of new players and the luxury of a strong return from last year’s players, the team is looking to make an impact after last year’s ACRL divisional I upgrade.
“We’ve got a lot of returning players who’ll be adding maturity and direction,” coach Robert McAlister said. “On the other hand, we’ve got some new exciting players who are adapting well to the faster style of sevens.”
McAlister has set expectations high after last year’s results and the team is motivated to improve last year’s ACRL No. 5 ranking.
“I’d like to see the team to have a strong display and successfully defend our ACI title. Ideally, we’ll make our way to this year’s USA Rugby men’s collegiate rugby sevens national championship and perform well,” he said. “To do well in this tournament will allow N.C . State to gain national recognition as a high caliber sevens team.”
Both rugby sevens and men’s rugby are still looking for recruits for this season’s competition. McAlister and team captain Matt Pace, a senior in biological and ecological engineering, actively promote the idea that “if you practice, you play.”
Tighthead prop Haram reiterated his team’s promise to play those who come out to test their wits and their endurance.
“We’re open to anyone playing,” Haram said. “What’s really only required is commitment to practice, which obviously sets the team for game day. Once you start coming to practice regularly, you’ll probably move through lower grade teams up to our top level.”
However, with an uninterrupted style of play rife with brutal hits, recruits will have to make sure they survive first.
