Night One

 It’s official.  I am currently a member of the Newton Flaming Lions Rugby Club; a professional team here in Peru.  OK, stop laughing.  I am serious.  It is a much needed outlet in a country that sometimes requires a place to express frustration.  Plus, there is something to be said for a manly sport like Rugby.   My kids will always think twice before acting, knowing that their old man is obviously a little crazy.

 Where am I writing this?  In my bed, with severe back pain.  

 Last night was my first practice, and my first time playing.  I have seen pro games on television, and I have watched a ton of clips on YouTube, but nothing really prepared me for the experience. 

 There are two men’s divisions in the league, so both teams practice together.  My guess is that there was 40-50 guys out there.  They all range in size, but I am 99% sure I am the tallest guy.  However, I am also 99% I am the skinniest guy too.  

 The position I will be playing is winger.  We are the “Glory Boys.”  Agile like gazelles, powerful, handsome...and we also do the least amount of work.  BUT, we score.  Sometimes we will have to tackle a guy, but maybe only 5-6 tackles a game.  Which is nothing considering forwards tackle at least in the 20 to 30 range.  

 My friend Wes and I met up with a new friend, Jorge.  He is a Peruvian National Rugby player, and he looks the part.  He introduced us, we said, “Hi” to the guys, and then we warmed up a little.  Once the Coach found out that we knew nothing, he sent us over with the “Rookies” and an injured guy.

 We passed the ball around a little, and got our legs warmed up. Then we moved into a drill where we pass down the line.  Then we did a drill where the outside guys on the line switch places, and they pass the ball during the switch.  Simple stuff.

 Verdict: I have to get used to taking shorter strides.  Their three strides equal one stride for me.  So even in a trot I was moving too fast.  This is a team game, so you are only as strong as the guys around you.

 Then we moved to tackling.  

 Now, if you know me...you know I am skinny.  However, I like challenges.  In games it is relatively easy for me to ignore pain.  However, I didn’t know what to expect.  The guys we were with easily have 50-60 pounds on me...minimum.  They are all muscle bound and some were even 6’3”.  Then there is Wes, who is a little cannonball, with a low center of gravity.  He also has to have at least 50 pounds on me.

 We did one on one tackles where a guy goes full speed, and you have to tackle him.  The trainer said, “OK someone get out there.”  No one went.  It was in Spanish, so it took me a minute to understand.  But when I did, I realized no one went out there.  I know why Wes didn’t, and it is probably the same reason I shouldn’t have...but I like to pretend I am tough.  

 1st Guy- Easy.  Hit him in the gut and drove him outside the lines.

 2nd Guy- Twisted him down.

 3rd Guy-  (The one I was a little worried about) He was the easiest.

 4th Guy- He got passed me, but I took him down with his leg.

 5th Guy-  Wes.  Remember how I said he has a low center of gravity?  He can also get to full speed really quickly.  I was on my heels and squared up.  Then I proceeded to get popped in the chest and run over. PANCAKE. 

 Somewhere in between the first and fifth guy I did something wrong.  I was using my back too much instead of my legs.  Now I am sitting with a pillow under my back, wishing I had some Icy Hot.  My back has spasms, and I am walking like a bent over old man.

 Was it worth it? Yes.  I know I can do it.  My mind knows I can.  My heart knows I can.  My back just hasn’t gotten the message yet.  

 Now, the ministry aspect is even more interesting.  The team I play for has a large number of players that speak English relatively fluently.  This is critical for me, because my Spanish is still not in a place where I can REALLY have deep conversations.  After getting past names, they began to ask about why we are here and what we are doing.  It is a start.  

 Additionally, in Peru, rugby is a sport for “rich people.” This is exciting for me because this environment allows me to get a feel for different economic classes.  It allows me to talk to people that are ultimately influencing the classes that we do most of our work with.  It allows me to point out some things that they may have never noticed before.  In one word, it creates “opportunity.”