Lea's career ending rugby game

"They" say you should try something before determining that you don't like it. 


As I wrote on an earlier blog post, Lea joined Westland High School's rugby team.  No try outs...you want to play? We'd love to have you!  You don't know the rules? No problem, we'll give you a uniform, tell you what to do and just go out there and do it.  That was a great plan for the first few games around Hokitika and surrounding towns.  She even scored a try and was enjoying learning the game. 


Tuesday the school team travelled to Christchurch, a 3-hour drive, stayed overnight, and played in a rugby tournament with the REAL rugby girl teams. 


Her team started with19 players and they need 15 to field a team.  They lost 2 players to injuries in first game. By the third game they did not enough to field a team.  The played shorthanded for the third and fourth game and decided not to play the 5th game.  By the end they were down to 12 players still able to play.  Girls got concusions, swollen kness and legs, and got bloody.  She said there were 3 to 4 ambulances ready and wating and they were all getting loaded with 2 people each.  All GIRLS! 


She survivied by avoiding action while on the field. She ran alot, but mostly to stay away from other players!  She did have a minor injury when she tried to catch the ball and a finger nail on her left hand cut her finger on the right hand.  This convieniently created a fair amount of blood so at least she could intimidate the other teams. 




Lea's rugby injury

 She came home annoucing she has no desire to play more rugby.  There's too much more we want to do in New Zealand and she doesn't want to risk an injury from....playing rugby.  She discovered she doesn't have what it takes to be super competitive and want to win that bad...obviously more of my genes than Greg's, who does have the tendency to win at all costs. 
Rugby is a tough sport. Some co-workers described it as sanctioned violence.  I respect anyone who is not too scared to get out and play it.


We are all having a good laugh about this one.  She tried (yes, that's a pun for those of you who know rugby) and she don't like it!