Benny Oggelloo

A friend asked me today, what is rugby?
I say...

*Rugby is that strange sport that nobody understands but nobody dares to make fun of.

*Rugby is the sweet chill of a cold beer on your lips after 80 brutal minutes, and the hundreds of songs sung with your rivals at the top of your lungs in a bar you don't wear nice clothes to.

*Rugby is the kid from the ghetto passing a ball to a graduate, who passes it on to a 1st year student, backed up by an engineer and a paramedic.

*It's the wise fatherly figure that has sworn every season was his last for ten years but tapes himself up, stretches and gingerly still puts on his boots for 80 minutes.

*It's the Schoolmate you spend your days together with that is now your bitter opposition on Saturday, but still one of your best friends when you see each other at class the other 6 days of the week.

* It's the stranger you meet on the street wearing a rugby shirt that you can talk to forever about the game.

* Rugby is the sport of men like Ma'anonu, Julian savea,Chisanga just to mention

*It's the soul crushing close season-ending loss that haunts you forever, , and the joy of a comeback win in a game 200 miles from home you weren't even supposed to have a chance in.

* But above all, rugby is brotherhood. It's people of all colors, orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and political affiliations from all walks of life working as one. Because when the referee counts the players and signals the kickoff, none of that matters. And that, is what takes more than a few seconds to explain why this is the greatest damn sport on Earth.!!!

Lastly I ask,What is rugby to you??

~Dedicated to my all of my rugby friends from around the world.