We continue our fascinating exploration of Colombian Rugby.

RWC7 QUALIFIERS: THE SHOUTING OF LOS TUCANES

The first Rugby World Cup Sevens 2009 Qualifier was held in Punta del Este, Uruguay on January 18th and 19th. While the big prize in contest come to an end, as previously expected, in the final clash between Uruguay and Chile that went to the hosts, Colombia had an outstanding performance, achieving a place between the Top 5 of the subcontinent in the male category for the first time in its short history.

A common issue Colombia has to confront is the fact that his national side is composed by members who come from either Bogotá or Medellín in almost equal parts, thus training time together has been always not enough. However, this time around, pre-conditioning was very different to older times:

"This tournament was an amazing experience", narrates Londoño. "We'll never forget the whole week we stayed in Uruguay. We started our preparation in July. 10 of the 12 players have already participated in the Sudamericano B 15s in Lima during November. Once back in Colombia, we had only a week off and started again: Every group in its own city. Close to December 10th we got altogether in Medellín, and a pre selection was made. Believe me, training in December 24th and 31st is as hard as it can sound, particularly in Colombia where parties are held everywhere. Nonetheless, as Sudamericano's Sevens have been always held in January, we're getting accustomed to it". The most interesting accounting is still to come: "The 7 players from Antioquia and the 5 from Bogotá met at the airport and travelled to Montevideo, January 12th, one week before the competition. We trained there, all the costs running by ourselves. I should acknowledge, though, a very special mention and our great gratitude to our captain Daniel de Castro's sister. She offered us to share her apartment and we spent 4 nights at her house: 12 players, Coach, Physical Trainer, Manager and, of course, the family that lived there as well!"

If spirit was missing, it consolidated all the way through during those days: "Everything happened to us but that was invaluable to entwine and bring up the family that we constituted at last". Pablo Lemoine reflects on that week: "It was ideal that we had an experienced team. All of us had at least played one Sudamericano. In our previous preparation, in Cuervos club, we clarified our work on physical training, defence order –that embodied in our matches- and contact pass, being kind of a bit weak point for us". He adds: "We played several friendly halves against Uruguay that lead to an enriching experience not only on but off the field, because we analysed our mistakes through the video and therefore worked on them". Alejandro supports Pablo: "Thanks to the match against Los Teros, we surprised ourselves and noticed that we could achieve something. On Thursday we joined the female delegation and travelled to Punta: a soft training, arranging the last details… until we get kicked out of the pitch because Los Pumas had arrived and they needed to practise".

Once Friday arrived, Los Tucanes were ready to face in first round their counterparts from Chile, Paraguay and Peru.

Colombians first commitment found them against Paraguay. 7 minutes into the match and the scoreboard spoke by itself: 15-0 for Los Yacarés. "We couldn't understand what was going on", recounts Alejandro, "We knew our capabilities, that this group was the best coming out from Colombia, that we have showed ourselves against Uruguay during the week what we could do". "During the halftime break" remembers Pablo, "but during the whole match as well, our trainer, Carlos Tejada, printed spirit in every one of us and didn't let us down, he inspired us for the umpteenth time". After a try from Lemoine and two from Carlos López helped by a conversion from de Castro that turned decisive in the end, the comeback was real. "The last minute", Lemoine resorts to his memory, "was very tense. We were a nervous wreck.

We've had in our hands something we had dream of, a goal, and any mistake could have shattered it". In the end, Los Tucanes celebrated. After a heavy defeat against Chile, all came to a last night battle against the Peruvians, the everlasting rival of the Colombians. "We had in mind that, regarding the schedule we were aware of, beating Peru would have meant get a place between the Top 4 and star in a semi final against Los Pumas. At last, It could be true". With tries from Lemoine, López y Parra, the final 19-17 was a huge relief for Los Tucanes and the vallenato (popular colombian music genre with an undertone of sadness) only for Los Tumis. "We enjoyed defeating Los Tumis. We felt it with all our heart. Losing to Paraguay was a certain possibility, but falling against Peru frets us all year long", Alejandro explains. Pablo complements:

"Playing against Peru is always special. Several times we have lost and that leave us a bitter taste in our mouths". A last day scheduling change, took Los Pumas directly to the final and the dream for every South American player to confront the admired Argentines kept in stand by for Los Tucanes until further notice. Defeats against Uruguay and Brazil haven't tarnish at all the good tournament played by Los cafeteros: "We knew about Los Teros' superiority, but we certainly had the illusion of setting another upset" poses Alejandro. Pablo advices Uruguay's rivals in the World Cup: "We showed they're better, in contact play, in the formations. But we demonstrated that if they play over-confidently, if they walk the field, if they don't play their hearts out at 100%, you can score tries and embarrass them. Our tries: the first one came after a tackle that lead to a loose ball; the second one: thanks to the strength of Juan Clavijo that took more than one Tero with himself to get tackled and pass the ball to help an open wing score".

Los Tucanes finished optimistic with their performance and the final 14-29. After that it was Brazil. "We got to the last match with injured players but focused as the same first match. The scoreboard was close: 12-5, we think it could have gone to our way", remembers Londoño. "In that game we made some mistakes", points out Lemoine, "A bad lineout throw in our 22s; then another play that we got passed due to lack of communication and we were done. Our try came from pressuring a ball that Brazilians weren't able to release. In my opinion, this match is a hinge of our improvement. We used to lost against Brazil by 30, this year was only by 7, and we felt we were capable of beating them". In the end, an uncommon outcome for Colombia's National Team, Los Tucanes finished their performance with happiness. Javier Castellanos, Bogotá's 7s trainer, and part of the staff as an assistant coach and manager closes "It was a deserved price. We've acquired the adequate maturity to treat ourselves in a professional way. There were players that trained restless the whole year long thinking in both Sudamericano, XV and 7s. We felt capable, we sacrificed and our concentration stayed in a high. We felt absolutely committed to each other. Pride is the word that comes to my mind".
 

WORKING ON THE BUILDING'S FRAMEWORK

As it has been happening with their eastern neighbours, Colombian rugby has built its framework through Universities. Rugby in the country, throughout its short history, has been tightly connected to educational institutions. Nevertheless, little steps are starting to flip schemes over. This does not mean Universities role model will be brushed aside because their involvement has bear unquestionable fruits. However, pros and cons brought to the table, the major issue becomes the late starting age.

Boys and girls start to bump into the sport at the age of 17, during their first semesters, our national team's interviewed being a clear example. Major game background and training in narrow periods of time making up for formative years, in an environment surrounded by complementary activities such as books and jobs makes the task difficult. Therefore, RC (Rugby Club) concept is taking shape. New teams sprung forth under this concept by starting their practices from scratch, enabling a different path, even a wider and more democratic one, whole community-aimed. This is fundamental for those first formative years for youth and specifically for kids. A proof is Petirrojos from Medellín and Zeppelín from Bogotá, whom had their roots raised through universities nests to then fly away and organise as independent clubs. In the grassroots level, rugby has started to develop at high school and Medellín represents an ideal case.

RUCA's program (Rugby en Colegios de Antioquia) carried out by Liga Antioqueña de Rugby, sponsored by Instituto de Desarrollo and coordinated by Mauricio Henao, member from the national team and kids rugby promoter, looks to forge the game values on and off the field, not only focusing on the sport activity but raising life values insight kids. As stated by ElColombiano website, the program reaches about 1000 school kids from the metropolitan area and a similar amount in the outskirts of the valley, an acceptable number for a 15 years old sport in the city. Thanks to Henao's coordination, the program has been linked to the EPD Program –Sport's School for Popular Communities- which has 60 practise groups widespread around a varied social stratum population with tolerance and respect for your teammates and your opposition as the program's flag values.

Alongside these programs, clubs are getting sponsors, at least for their outfit matters, though in the end the sport is still 100% amateur. The fact that many players decided to met in bars and restaurants to watch World Cup matches contributed to caught many Colombians' eyes. Rugby spreading is growing little by little. Torneo Iberoamericano 2007's final was being offered recorded on TV broadcasting and newspapers give the sport space but sporadically.

To take the pros of the Universities we bring Castellano's word: "Once you've finished your studies, the link is not broken. Players graduate but they still play with the club. To be true with you, without universities support, clubs wouldn't be there. They provide us with an important advantage: infrastructure, utensil needs and the continuous growing platform of players coming semester after semester, as it happens in Universidad de Los Andes. I dare to say that Carneros is the most organised club in Colombia and that happens just thanks to ULA. At a 'Once upon a time point' we were The Ugly Duckling and the support was minimal. Nowadays we're U's flag sport, an example that even football tries to follow. Anyways, we're short of equipment, for instance getting rucking shields and contact pads have turned out absolutely difficult".

It's not all peaches and cream regarding universities. The opposite to what we've read can be found in Leones from Pasto, where Universidad de Nariño who used to support the club, after an administrative change, decided to quit their help to 6 sport groups, rugby among them, not recognising southern's big efforts to substain and get the required equipment through the preparation of home food and raffles. As stated by Alejandro Londoño, it becomes difficult, even impossible to get equipment within the country, so it has to be ordered through the Internet or when a helpful acquaintance travels, with the consequent costs that it derives.

Javier points out that CONSUR approaches through coaching and refereeing clinics had been good, but after 2006 support and any kind of contact had disappear. This support should be absolutely helpful for the region, not that much regarding to economic affairs because it's not a matter of the regional confederation, but it's on behalf of the preconditioning and development of the game.

Alejandro supports Javier's opinion: "It's clear that we need support. We wish to have resources to develop the game around the whole country, besides Bogotá and Medellín. We want to reach schools, guide coaches, referees, managers. If you think it sharply, the growth of South America rugby would benefit all parts involved, even for the southern teams. If the teams from the north like ourselves would develop faster, we'd be able to have a continental competition in the near future, and not a one-sided one. We should recognise as well, that there's people in Colombia that loves the sport no matter where they are.

Trail blazers working in Bucaramanga, Pereira, Armenia and that's thanks to their own initiative and resources, they're taking off at a slow speed, but they are. We need a fairer, equitable development, that's why we need CONSUR's help". An example of this words come with the 6th International Tournament "Germán Ordoñez" to be held in Pereira, March 22nd and 23rd, organised by Arrieros.

Pablo concludes: "Colombia growth has reached a point where we can assure ourselves that rugby will not end when the actual players had to, eventually, retire. There are young people ready to take their place. Nowadays, we're certain that rugby will continue its raise, at least in the male category. Not that long ago we had no clear answer on that issue, but with kids and youth work, the path has cleared and is better defined. The future is theirs, the responsibility is ours, and that's where we need to insist on. We need to install a training culture and a better competition structure. Nowadays, we only have 3, 4 high level games a year. We hope that they'll have different standards than the ones we do have right now".

Colombia's rugby is growing, more players every day are being introduced to the sport and there's people who love the sport and wish its success. Stones are everywhere but volunteers and dreams are here and there to overcome them.
 
SUDAMERICANO B: PUT THE BEANS IN THE HOPPER, WE WANT TO GRIND BRAZIL

Colombia will host the next South American Championship in its B division, to be held between August 16th and 23rd in the 2640 meters heights of Bogotá. It will certainly become a great chance for everyone involved, because this competition will act as the first round of Rugby World Cup Qualifying in the road to New Zealand 2011. Playing at home, undoubtedly, will play a truly important factor in respect of conditioning, previous preparation and crowd support, that this time around and based on the rotational system implemented in Division B tournaments to appoint the hosting union, will be taken care by Colombia. Before the views of Colombia team members, we head to the head-to-head facts of Colombia's story in this tournament.
 
Their first matches against their rivals were back in 2001, being part of RWC2003 Qualifiers. In Lima 2002, where Colombians played in this competition for the first time, 3 lost matches was the balance. Los Tucanes hosted in Bogotá 2003, when notably improving their previous performances, they beat Peru 22-17. After being successless in Sao Paulo 2004 under RWCQ2007 circumstances, it was in Asunción 2005 where Colombia beat Venezuela for the first time 24-7, a present streak that last to this days after subsequent victories in Caracas 2006 (25-20) and Lima 2007 (33-13). In Caracas, Colombia had their better ever position in the ladder, after consolidated defeats of Costa Rica 41-5 and Peru 25-5. After a third place finish last year in Lima, our interviewed reflect on how Los Tucanes are taking this important commitment.

"Since 2005", explains Javier Castellanos, "we are no longer the last placed team in the standings and we bring about concern to the champions. We know Brazil respect us and they prepare to face us. We're not anymore the bunch's little brother. Colombians have devotion and pawning, and we are very close to each other. I'm convinced that we can give the upset". Pablo Lemoine agrees: "Our improvement, clear and constant, lies in a job enveloped in a rugger culture idea. Players are constantly training in the gym and in the pitch, and not only the days before the competition. All teams' backbone is almost the same, secrets are hard to find. Then, working on this aspect, we can bet our fate. The past five years, we gained a lot in discipline". When asked about their rivals, he says: "Our rivals are Peru and Venezuela and our challenge is Brazil. We always think in Brazil, but that doesn't mean we discard the afore-mentioned teams. They're not a piece of cake but very difficult to confront. Only back in 2006 we were able to beat both in the same tournament.

But Brazilians keep annoying our dreams: they're very complete and they've a smart trainer, capable of make the most of their opponents' weaknesses. For instance, in Lima 2007, Brasil beat Peru with its backs and Colombia with its forwards. They're not a team depending on the whole on any particular group of players, they just knit their strategy from the chinks they find". So, how you should play Brazil? "We need to be balanced and be smart to hold their attack, they will come from everywhere". Javier's opinion: "Brazil has been playing for a longer time, the sport has a tradition and they're physically stronger. It usually happens that they've the gap through their forwards' ordered way of playing, they make the field wider very quickly, they regroup everyone in rucks and then they open play to score. The matches between the rest of us are strongly intense, tough, hard-fought. In Division B, gaps are narrowing over and over again, specifically in technique. Every match is decided by little details. I've the impression that we beat Venezuela with our backs and Peru, sooner or later, takes advantage of a mistake, and we should hold near our 22s most of the time".
 
Alejo Londoño gives his thoughts and plans over a probable way to face Brazil: "The gap is shorter. Their advantage lies in organisation and infrastructure. Colombia ciments its strong title desire in our forwards pack consolidation to have an equal ball possession dispute, because that's the chink where they've lately damaged us". The narrow margins show how playing at home, as it has previously happened, will be fundamental: "At this amateur level it means a lot. It gives you so many possibilities and facilities in the previous weeks", underlines Londoño.

Asked on a likely participation from Costa Rica and Paraguay, Lemoine replies: "It would be great to play against them. Paraguay's lack of competition is sad. They're too good to play in Sudamericano B, and it seems they don't have a place in Sudamericano A, where according to stats, they'd be able to confront Uruguay and Chile. Lack of competition will make them get to a standstill".

With Costa Rica's still undecided and unconfirmed presence and Paraguay likely to play the next edition of an A tournament not featuring Argentina, the winner of this edition will play a two-match series, likely part of 2011 Qualifying, against the champion of NAWIRA's April tournament. Thus, winning the competition would mean a formidable chance for Los Tucanes to be one step away to play against Paraguay, who they played in 2005 and for the first time in their history, against a former World Cup team such as Uruguay and another team, Chile, who was one win away to get there as well. An experience that, if achieved, would be an amazing one.

Everyone agrees, at last, that no matter the final result, all teams will enjoy a first class tercer tiempo during Bogota's August.
 
TICKING THE RUGBY CALENDAR

Colombia's signature as founder member of the recently established Confederación Iberoamericana de Rugby, that includes Latin American nations, Spain and Portugal, would be ideal to be more competitive in an international stage. Within the Federation doors, the management have been working to reach that aim. The recent Torneo Iberoamericano Copa Colsanitas 2007 have had the Spanish club Industriales Las Rozas, who took part with male and female sides.

The tournament included Colombia NT and regional sides Antioquia and Santander in the male competition and the regional sides from Antioquia, Santander and Bogotá in the female branch. The winners: Colombia NT in male and Industriales in the female competition. The new edition, to be held next July, would be an ideal platform for the National Team in the road to Sudamericano B. Teams from Portugal and different South American countries have been asked to participate.
 
On the other hand, Bogota's Sevens Tournament had reach international level as well, with the arrival, in past years, of teams coming from Venezuela and Ecuador. A team coming from North America may be the invitational side for the next edition.
 
At the national stage, and as it has been outlined before, there are two national competitions: Club and Regional ones. The formers are held in 2 halves of 20 min. per match, the latters are disputed in 2 halves of 30 min. This is the official calendar released by Federación Colombiana de Rugby for the present year:
 
March 15-16: Clubs National Tournament in Pereira. 15s
May 24-25: Clubs National Tournament in Medellín. 15s
June 14-15: Regional National Tournament in Bucaramanga. 15s
July 14-19: Torneo Iberoamericano Copa Colsanitas in Bogotá. 15s
August 16-23: Torneo Sudamericano CONSUR B in Bogotá. 15s
October 11-12: Clubs National Tournament in Bucaramanga. 15s
November 15-16: Clubs National Tournament in Bogotá. 7s
December 6-7: Clubs National Tournament in Cúcuta. 15s
December 6-7: Regional National Tournament in Cali: 7s
 
DAY-DREAMING

Pablo Lemoine's name reminds rugby fans of Montauban's Uruguayan hooker who has already participated in a World Cup. Our interviewed, his Colombian homonym who defines himself as a perfectionist, recounts how he takes this relation he's part of by ID namesake. "That subject is very funny for me, and is a mockery reason between my team mates, we all laughed about that, because he's a 120 kg prop and I weigh just 77 kg.

Imagine, my legs are like his arms. Moreover, when we travelled to Uruguayan Sevens, a local newspaper had this title: 'Colombia arrives with Lemoine' with an explanation after that they weren't talking about the national player. My mates made a mock of me for hours but they congratulated me as well because I was almost famous". When we ask him about his rugger dream he says: "I wish I'd have the chance to play in a developed rugby nation. I've always played in Carneros, my Colombian club and I've never had the experience of being promoted between the multiple divisions of a club". Alejandro Londoño recounts his dreams, no pillows in between: "I had a pending dream that I achieved when I played a season in 2006, been part of Birkenhead Park from Division North One in England. My wish today is that the sport in Colombia could become more popular".

Javier Castellanos goes beyond, and puts in paper a dream that many ruggers have in mind: "I would be fascinated to have the chance to dedicate exclusively to rugby for a couple of years, play in a higher level in Europe or any rugby country. Finally, my dream is to have my home sweet home with a balcony and a preferential sight to my rugby club's pitch. Live in that imaginary venue, training my club and enjoying every Saturday matches". In the end, all of them have their own dreams, but they agreed altogether in one: "We want to win Sudamericano B with Los Tucanes this year here, at home, in Colombia".

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