Hoosier rugby players compete internationally for US U-20 rugby team

With 10 minutes remaining and the score tied, sophomore Michael Shepherd and junior Kyle Stroman found themselves on a field in Kenya playing for a title most of their classmates back home don’t even know exists.

Shepherd and Stroman are a part of the United States’ Under-20 rugby team that competes around the globe. The two Hoosiers competed with the U.S. team in Kenya for the Junior World trophy May 3.

The United States beat the Cayman Islands, fell to Kenya, then beat Namibia before moving on to the final game against Romania.

“It was definitely a culture shock,” Shepherd said. “It was amazing. The rugby was really cool. You see a different country, and playing intense international rugby was just a blast. It was a great group of guys, so it was a lot of fun.”

In the second half of the final game, the United States had two errors, and Romania scored 19 unanswered points. The United States lost 25-13 to give Romania the 2009 International Rugby Board Junior World Rugby Trophy.

“It was definitely intense,” Shepherd said. “It was sort of a dog fight. We turned the ball over, so they scored quickly with a few minutes left to get ahead, and that’s how we ended up losing, but the whole game was exciting.”

A sport unfamiliar to many in the United States, rugby is a form of football with 15 players on each side.

“There’s a kickoff; from there, the team tries to advance the ball forward by either kicking or pacing it backward,” Shepherd said. “It’s a lot like football.”

Stroman and Shepherd began playing rugby in high school. Shepherd played touch rugby in eighth grade, but full-contact rugby was what he was in search of.

“I like hitting people with no pad,” Shepherd said. “It’s fast-paced and a lot of contact.”

Stroman was first exposed to the sport in a watered-down, backyard game of rugby. After playing on the lacrosse team, Stroman picked up rugby in his senior year.

“I just remember being hooked right there, like, ‘Why have I even been wasting my time with other things?’” Stroman said. “Between my friends playing rugby and lacrosse not winning much, it was kind of a draw to go toward rugby.”

Their passion continues on the field at IU, where they train three days a week. About 40 members strong, the IU rugby club finished with just five losses between the fall and spring seasons.

“At IU, we’ve got some good coaching, just good people to be around,” Stroman said. “As far as rugby goes, I think I have the most fun playing at IU.”

Shepherd played on the U.S. U-20 team during his senior year, but his spot the next year was not guaranteed. A U.S. coach saw the Hoosiers play during the Big Ten tournament, and they were asked to join the 2009 U.S. U-20 team.

While both of the Hoosiers play for their love of the sport, Stroman said playing for the U.S. team is unimaginable.

“Just wearing a USA jersey and hearing your national anthem played – it feels different than playing at any other level that I’ve played at in any other sport,” Stroman said. “It’s mind-blowing.”