Rugby Game Used

[HawaiiSportsNut]

Last month October my wife & I traveled from our home in Hawaii to Canada for a conference that she had. We spent the first week in Calgary & got to see the season opener for the Calgary Flames vs. Vancouver Canucks. It was awesome. But that wasn't the highlight of our trip. On the second week of the trip we traveled to Vancouver. On the 15th we traveled down to Vancouver Island to see the USA Rugby team take on Canada. These two teams will be representing their respective countries in the 2015 Rugby World Cup. Somehow my wife was able to get me an on-field pass to photograph the game. I had a blast, even if it was freezing cold & windy. The best part of it all was after the game, we saw a player talking to some fans so we went over & congratulated him on the victory over Canada. We talked for a minute or two when I asked if Team USA brought any souvenirs such as shirts or caps as the tent had nothing but Canadian items. He said "unfortunately no". So we said thank you for taking the time to talk to us & we started to leave. All of a sudden he said to hold on for a second, he then proceeded to remove his jersey & handed it to me. WOW!!! I could not believe that I had a game worn rugby jersey in my hands. We later found out his name is Kyle Sumsion, he will be a Senior at BYU this year. Can’t believe that he is still in college & he started for team USA. He would probably have played against the New Zealand All Blacks on November 1st if he didn’t have to get back to school. BYU will be defending its NCAA title in the next four months.

All the media personnel had to wear the pink vest.


It was so cold that you could see the steam rising from the scrum.


That’s Kyle on the left side of the line out.


My wife & I with Kyle after the game.


Got Kyle’s game jersey in my hands. I am in shock.

[HawaiiSportsNut]

I know that rugby is not big here in the USA but please post any game used rugby items that you have.

[Wrigley2010]

Phenomenal photos! The story behind them makes them all that much more amazing. Thank you for sharing.

[Phil316]

Thanks for posting. That one shot showing the steam coming up from the players is pretty cool.

What part of Vancouver Island?

[yanks12025]

Sweet action shots.

[gingi79]

Rugby is my favorite sport. The kid from our Eagles 7s team signed a tryout/practice squad contract with the Lions this last off season.

I'd love to get my hands on a gamer from Team USA or Ireland. PM me if you have any leads

[HawaiiSportsNut]

Thanks for posting. That one shot showing the steam coming up from the players is pretty cool.

What part of Vancouver Island?

We stayed at the Comfort Inn in Victoria & the game was held at Westhills Stadium in Langford. It was about a 45 minute bus ride from the hotel to the game.

[HawaiiSportsNut]

Yanks12025, Phil316, Wrigley2010

Thanks, I have always loved sport photography, I do a lot of sports on the weekends & evenings here in Hawaii.

[HawaiiSportsNut]

Rugby is my favorite sport. The kid from our Eagles 7s team signed a tryout/practice squad contract with the Lions this last off season.

I'd love to get my hands on a gamer from Team USA or Ireland. PM me if you have any leads

Unfortunately I have no connection with the team. I am trying to see if I can get into a few of the Rugby 2015 World Championship games next year. I might be able to get into the USA Eagles game in the summer, hopefully I can get some contact info at that time.

[HawaiiSportsNut]

Here are a few more pics from the Rugby game at Westhill Stadium

Game 1 - Argentina vs. Uruguay




Game 2 – Canada vs. USA