Berkeley RFC – East Bay Mens Rugby Team

Top of the league and full of top totty too… whats not to like? And by far the best post match party throwers.

The Berkeley Rugby Club is a team that is serious about the game of rugby and as a result you can expect exciting games. The team also appreciates the camaraderie which follows a tough game, and fosters a strong familial atmosphere. They make rugby more than just another ball game. They make it fun.
I was introduced to rugby a few years ago and have been following this team for the past couple of years. I have watched it grow into a strong, highly skilled, winning team — currently sitting top-​of-​table after five consecutive wins. The players are of varied ages and backgrounds — New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Argentina, England, Australia, and Poland, to name a few of the 42 countries that have represented the club in the past few years. One of the U.S. born players, Austin, is also on the Chicago Lions sevens team, which played in the Las Vegas Invitational last weekend. I watched him play the championship game during the break at the IRB International Sevens.
Apart from my handsome, talented, and dashing Kiwi boyfriend, some of the other players to watch:
The ageless David Sally — always good for that blood and mud shot. Fierce player with a strong will to keep moving the ball forward.
Joe Cera — man with a golden boot. I’ve seen this kicker make some of the trickiest angled kicks. He has proven to be the ace in the hole.
J-​Rod — this Frodoesque-​hobbit-​like hooker is wickedly intent on getting that ball to the try line. He will not be stopped. He’ll get knocked down and sideways, then rise two more times before the play is over.
Patrick Trollip — this guy has been playing this season with a broken hand! He is driven to say the least about him. Hurdling over opponents is his trick. Does he or does he not have six toes is the question?
English Matt — Is there a Guy Ritchie film missing its smart lead actor? He may have a smiley, handsome mug, but this player is feisty, fierce and fast. Rough-​housing on the sidelines? Could that be Matt, again? Maybe his luck stems from those lucky light blue socks?
Will McCormick — Proper rugby player from Ireland. Knows how to cause a bit of trouble and not get caught. His gesticulating hair and blood marked face mark him out. Great skills, sneak attacks, and dead-​on punches.
Shrek — must be his experience and the immense size of his own noggin because when his foot hits that large ball it goes right where it should.
Other faces often seen on the field include the gentle, sportsmanlike Uruguayan and his pre-​game yerba mate, the slowly disappearing Australian, the scrumhalf with the low center of gravity whose dashing runs are as elusive as his hairline, the shaggy Chilean with the penchant for the virtuoso finish, Michael Bolton, Dwuambe, the 60-​year old rookie player carving it up with kids young enough to be his grandchildren, a craggy old caveman, the Italian stallion, Scuba Steve, the mouthy & feisty Argentine, the ever-​smiling SULU (namaste), The Rulebook, the Sri Lankan snaking up the sideline, Big Sam the Rhino, even bigger (hearted) young Sam Odin & the gleaming dome of the Dosskey, not to mention the mighty Wall and ze German of ze tight pants.
Not to be missed — the apprehensive Argentinean Coach, who might be caught munching on an steak sandwich. And lastly, the Kiwi Coach proudly wearing his All Blacks gum boots.
This is a fun team. If I were a dude and played rugby, I’d come out for a try. They welcome all. One of their latest recruits is a 60-​ish player who never played rugby a game in his life, but saw the team training at Gilman field one Wednesday night at 9pm, and decided to give the game a go.
This is rugby and it is fun!

I am an Ex-​Pat from Ireland and played with Berkeley RFC last year. I am looking forward to playing again. The trip to Reno for the playoffs was a blast and I am looking forward to some more social outings.
The only problem I have with the club is it is full of Tri-​Nation people and (worst of all) some English players. But if that does not bother you they are a great crew.
Look out for our Winnie the Poo prop (yes a 300 odd lb front rower that dresses like Winnie the poo for socials)
J.

There are a lot of rugby teams to play for in the Bay Area, but let me tell you why Berkeley RFC is the best: (1) unmatched comradery — you might have played in college or high school and experienced the songs, the crazy antics, the hard-​hitting action on the field — BRFC brings it all back, (2) success on the field — the team went 8 – 2 in Division 3 NorCal rugby last season, losing only to the 2007 USA National Champion (by two points) and the 2008 National Champion (two tries). We compete. (3) an unbelievable collection of great guys from at least 15 different nations — we ARE the most internationally diverse rugby team in California — I’m not sure why. The team used to be the UC Berkeley graduate school squad, and we used to pull a lot of visiting international players — I guess those beginning attracted a lot of foreign players. But we also have plenty of guys who grew up around here! (4) unbelievable coaching. Our coach is a former Eastern European national team coach. Enuf said. (5) we party like it’s 1999. Check out the web site at
and come out to practice! Welcoming group, no a-​holes policy. One of the best experiences of my life.

Excellent rugby club in the Bay Area! With people from over 20 countries, with zero to 10+ years of rugby experience, this is a great club to play the best sport ever.
The commitment is also very manageable, with 1 day practice a week and games on saturday. As a bonus, the social ppiece of it is quite interesting, if you ever played for a a rugby team you know what I am talking about, if not, one more good reason to come out!
See you at the field!

This rugby club is a great place to learn the game of Rugby Union. A great bunch of players from around the world. A great mix of experience and raw talent on show at any of their games.
Great game for any shape or size athlete and a strong social network to boot.