Fallbrook boys rugby varsity team rebuilding

Coach Steven Hernandez has been around the Fallbrook High School boys' rugby program for the past 12 years either as a coach or an administrator.

So, he knows where the program has been and where it needs to go.

This season, the young Fallbrook High School boys' varsity rugby team is winless, but progress is being made.

"Last season the junior varisty team was 3-5," Hernandez said. "As the season went on the boys learned to play as a team as several had never played rugby before. They also learned to never give up no matter what the score, which is a valuable lesson.

"The varsity team went 0-7," he said. "They had a tough season with injuries and boys midseason decided not to play anymore."

Though they are once again a young team, Hernandez said the Warriors have 40 boys involved in the program with 14 upperclassmen and 26 freshmen and sophomores.

"Although we have several players who have played at Potter or with Fallbrook Youth Rugby, overall, we are a very young team," he said.

That doesn't mean there aren't expectations.

"The team's expectations are to improve as individuals and as a team each and every practice and game," Hernandez said. "We also want the boys to have fun and enjoy playing rugby."

The Warriors play in the Southern California Interscholastic Rugby Federation in the Open Division, which Hernandez said is very competitive.

"The boys are improving each game and we can tell they are trying hard to put into play what they have learned in practice," he said. "Success will come when all the players trust what they have learned and apply it to the game."

Hernandez said senior scrumhalf Christian Bellamy is one of the leaders of the team.

"(He is) one of the players that has continually improved his play," the coach said. "He started playing at Potter Junior High School when he was in eighth grade. He was a junior varsity player last year and is now starting on the varsity team at scrumhalf. This season Christian has a real understanding of rugby and his overall skill and his read of the game has not only helped him but the entire team has grown."

Hernandez said freshman center Thomas McSheehy is a true rugby player.

"Thomas has been playing rugby for the last four years with Fallbrook Youth Rugby and at Potter," he said. "He was selected to play with the Eagle Impact Rugby Academy U15 All-star team that traveled to Denver, in June to compete in the Western Regional Tournament against all-star teams from other western states. His experience, skill, attitude and tenacity has greatly helped the junior varsity team this season."

Freshman prop and forward Nathan Hanson, Hernandez said, is in his first year of playing rugby.

"Nathan is an example of a first-year player that comes to each practice wanting to learn more," he said. "His work rate and willingness to learn different positions will not only help him but benefit the team as the season continues."

The Warriors will play at La Costa Canyon High School at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 10, and at Fallbrook High School against Mira Costa High School at 11 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 18. The times are subject to change.

Jeff Pack can be reached by email at [email protected].