Photo: Colby Gaines
BY: GAVIN WATSON, STAFF WRITER
There are many differences between rugby 15s and sevens, some related to strategy and some to do with the physical game. Rugby sevens is played with seven players on each side of the field and each half of the game lasting 14 minutes.
“In sevens, mistakes are more costly,” sophomore Natalie Lamar said.
The pace of play is one of the biggest differences — with rugby sevens being the quicker version.
“In sevens everyone on the field is shifty, fast, and goes into contact well,” Junior Kyla Nentarz said.
One of the biggest differences in rugby is the strategy each team employs.
“Sevens, you have a lot more space to work so you can do a lot more with plays,” Reeves said.
Compare that with the 15s game of rugby, which is slower-paced.
“15s is more about creating gaps and trying to create holes in the defense,” Reeves said.
Rugby 15s is played with two 40-minute halves.
According to head coach Meridith Pyke, there is more room for error in fifteens.
Molly O’Connor, a junior, believes the extended time means more chances for more players.
“You see more diverse skills on the team; not every player needs speed to succeed,” O’Connor said.
The difference in pace makes training for each version of rugby different.
“We do more conditioning with sevens because it’s tournament style,” Pyke said.
However, for 15s, training is a little bit more contact-heavy, according to Pyke.
With limited spots for the 12-15 player sevens roster, Pyke said this year’s roster spots will be more challenging to earn than previous years.
“The last two years haven’t been too challenging because our roster has been a little bit smaller,” Pyke said. “This definitely is going to be a little bit more challenging this year. We have a lot of players that walked on or came into the team and have done a lot of work. My job is to get them playing time”
Rugby sevens have become increasingly popular since its addition to the Olympics. Pyke credits Olympic bronze and silver medalist Illona Maher with popularizing rugby.
“[Maher] has done a tremendous amount of work growing the sport and also just a great job promoting body positivity for young female athletes,” Pyke said. “I credit a lot of that to her, and a lot of the US women who have really gone on social media and been incredible.”
In rugby 15s, the team usually plays eight matches between DI and DII. Rugby sevens typically take place in a tournament style, with the Bonnies playing four tournaments, including the national tournament.
The women’s rugby team started their 2024 rugby 15s schedule versus Cornell at home with a 107-0 win. The Bonnies will take on the University at Buffalo on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Marra Athletic Complex at 10:00 a.m.
hootengw24@bonaventure.edu
