University of Virginia Library

VIEWPOINT

By Ted McKean

AS ANYONE WHO took in the Commonwealth Cup
Rugby competition of the past weekend must realize, Virginia
now has at least one team that stands prominent
among the nation's powers. Not only is this fact a tribute
to the players themselves, but, even more important, it
is a fine tribute to the University. To organize a tournament
literally involving the eight best teams of Canada,
the Eastern and Midwestern United States, and the Bahamas,
and carry it through in such a successful manner is no
less than an amazing feat, considering the Rugby Club's
virtually independent status.

To those who know, or have played Rugby, Virginia's
performance throughout the tournament was excellent. Although
not the ultimate winner, the loss to Old Blue in
the finals by a 6-3 margin is nothing to be scoffed at.
Old Blue, composed of many excellent Rugby players
primarily from the British Isles, has always fielded a superb
team, with finesse, teamwork, and experience as main assets.
In their match against the spirited Virginia side Sunday,
this experience turned the tide. Sunday's game was characterized
by probably the hardest hitting, most aggressive
play yet seen in Cup competition.

HOWEVER, to those unfamiliar with Rugby, Virginia's
performance probably does not carry much weight. Who
are these other teams, and how good are they, really?
Old Blue, to many Rugby buffs, is the top team in the
country. Wisconsin, with a dismal showing here, is the
undisputed power of the Midwest, and had a 14 game
winning streak on the line prior to entering the Tournament.
Williams, who had just completed a successful
tour of England over spring break, finished last, soundly
trounced in each of its three games.

Yet there is still the question of who really is Number
One. By virtue of her Commonwealth Cup championship,
Old Blue might justifiably claim the title. However,
Rugby, so the Californians claim, is superior on the West
Coast. Since a match between the Eastern and Western
champs is now an impossibility due to mammoth travel
expenses, the top Rugby Club in the nation is about as
specifically determined as the heavyweight boxing title.

WITH VIRGINIA standing as one of the nation's
foremost Rugby powers, also the existing host of the Commonwealth
Cup, we therefore suggest that the Cup be
expanded to include the top California sides so that the
nation's undisputed champion in Rugby may be determined.
visiting coast teams would have part of their travelling
expenses defrayed by the Tourney sponsor. The problem
is finding a sponsor. The advantages of the Virginia
Rugby Club hosting such a championship are obvious—
this in effect could be the Rose Bowl of Rugby. Such
a potentially prestigious affair should not be allowed to slip
by unnoticed. We feel that a way could be found within
the University to finance and sponsor such an operation;
perhaps the forces at University Hall, the Student Council
the IFC, or even the rich PK-Germans could handle it.
If carefully done,the play-for-fun atmosphere could be
maintained despite the increased financial obligations.

IFC Weekend would be an ideal time to schedule the
proposed tournament. Why not divert the "dollar a head—
all the beer you can drink" crowd away from Alumni Hall
toward Scott Stadium for the National Rugby Championship?
Profits from the game would be substantial to help
support the distant teams. Efforts to initiate such a tournament,
we feel, would be rewarding.