SUMMER RECAP

Despite the common misconception that come summertime, most McGill students choose to broaden their cultural horizons or attend that super hip music festival (don’t worry about it, you haven’t heard of it), there was, in fact, some very successful Rugby played by current and past Redmen alike.

The last few months have proved to be extremely successful with two Redmen proudly representing our fine institution within Canada at the demanding and competitive Canadian Regional Championship. The Canadian Regional Championships, which at the Seniors Men’s level, comprises of the B.C. Bears, Prairie Wolfpack, Ontario Blues and Newfoundland Rock. These teams are made up of the best players each region can produce including Senior Men’s national team players such as Ander Monro (#10, Ontario Blues) or Ciaran Hearn (#14, Newfoundland Rock). Sam Skulsky who primarily stood at the #12 position for McGill made quite a name for himself by making the Prairie Wolfpack team as a Scrum-half despite still falling into the Under-20 age group. Another achievement was that of Jon “Too Tall” Phelan, a McGill alum and Montreal native getting flown out exclusively to play for the Newfoundland Rock team. Let me tell you, he is that good, and that tall.

Current and former McGill Varsity Rugby players have also excelled internationally in the past few years. The Indomitable Winger, Mike Davis, McGill’s leading try-scorer last year led the Canadian Inter-university (CIS) 7s team in scoring as the team proudly represented Canada at the FISU World University Rugby Sevens Championship in Oporto, Portugal, from July 21 to July 24. Josh Reznick and Jacob Chai suited up for Canada at #9 and Flanker for Canada respectively at the Maccabiah Games in Israel during the summer of 2009. While Leslie Nielsen’s choice of “light” reading in the movie Airplane might spring to mind, this was anything but. Competing against teams from Great Britain, South Africa and Australia, Josh and Jacob helped their team to an incredibly strong finish. Picking up some invaluable skill and sweet warm-up tops while they were at it. Could I get these in an 11.5? Thanks.

Arguably the most impressive athletic feat accomplished by a McGill Rugby player is that of golden boy Kyle Buckley. After a brief hiatus to the University of Victoria Vikings, Kyle’s exploits there garnered a try-out with the Canadian Senior Men’s 7s team. After a tumultuous trial, Kyle was named to the roster and impressed with a start against the USA Eagles at the IRB Scotland 7s tournament just over a year ago. Kyle has also represented Canada on the Under-20 National team. Additionally, the aforementioned Sam Skulsky and the robot that is former player/coach Alastair Crow have also made the rosters of Canada’s premier developmental team and, of course, snagged all the swag they could get their hands on.

So as the new season rears its leg back for the kick that signals the beginning of a new academic and athletic term, the McGill Varsity Rugby Team and McGill RFC can bolster itself with pride and confidence knowing the quality players that choose our team and represent it to the fullest of their abilities.

- Trevor Clarke, VP Write-Ups