UNITED STATES QUAD RUGBY ASSOCIATION

In a year with no World Championship or Paralympic quad rugby competition, the United States fielded a "developmental" team to compete at the Stoke Mandeville Games. Unfortunately, when Stoke couldn't attract enough teams to make up a competitive venue, the rugby competition was cancelled. However, in true never-say-die fashion, the USA team became the "Dynamic Dozen," and traveled to the land down under to compete against two of the top 5 teams in the world at the Australian Championships.

During the long journey over, the team and staff tried to acclimate themselves to a cooler climate and a different time zone. Even though the US team didn't have a single minute of "team" practice to their credit, these rugby competitors eagerly looked forward to the challenges that lay ahead. The competition took place in Adelaide, a beautiful coastal town seated in South Australia.

The first game had the US playing a brand new team on the world scene, Japan. Coming out quick and working as team was stressed in pre-game talks by coaches Ed Suhr and Wendy Gumbert. Up to the challenge, the team came out fast and furious. The US team played many lineups and showed depth off the bench. Proving to be to be too much for the Japanese team, the USA rolled to victory with a 47 - 10 win.

With no time to rest in this round robin competition, team USA would face the South Australians. Bolstered by hometown support and featuring several members of the Australian National team, the Aussies would pose a big hill to climb for the US team. With only one win as a team under their belts, the lack of experience in playing together would force the "Dynamic Dozen" to come together quickly.

The Aussies came out hitting hard and making few mistakes. The Americans tried many lineups but could never quite pull away from the determined Australian team. The game featured US players Dean "Captain America" McCabe and Chad "MVP" Farrington. Their play led the team during the hard fought battle. However. with the game in question many times, the US was forced to rely on their bench. Like the US Mail, they delivered. With off-the-bench play of Mark "Zup" Zupan, Mike "Prime time" Gilland, and Terry "Gumbie" Gumbert, the starting four were able to get a rest and come back hard against the pressure defense of the Australians. With time expiring. the Australians attempted to create turnovers. but the disciplined ruggers from the United States were calm and showed poise as they ran out the clock. The United States emerged victorious in the end with a 45 - 40 final score.

Next up was Queensland, an Australian club team who had come to the nationals to win. They played with the intensity to win, but the American bench would once again prove to be too much. Team USA tipped off with a starting lineup of Gilland. McCabe, Farrington, and Neil "Yea" Gustafason. The team quickly jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. Subbing liberally and trying various lineup combinations, the Dynamic Dozen was able to finish the game with a decisive 48 - 13 win.

After the first day's competition ended, Team USA had three victories to show for their effort. However, the tournament was far from over and both Suhr and Gumbert cautioned the players not to get too confident. The next day the US would be facing the third best team in the world, New Zealand.

For this national tournament, New Zealand had divided into two separate squads. One was the equivalent of their national team and the other a developmental team. Team USA would face the tougher of the two right off the bat. New Zealand entered the game with true rugby enthusiasm. Meanwhile, the Americans came out flat. This resulted in the US team falling behind and having to play catch-up to the Kiwi's most of the game. Nothing the US ruggers did seemed to work. But the game remained close so they were still in it. As the game wore on, the depth of the United States' bench would once again play an important role in helping decide the game.

Just as the Kiwi's began to show signs of weakening. Team USA capitalized on the moment. With the game still up for grabs, "the hit heard round the world" tipped the scales. Willard "The Mountain" Brooks smashed into the Kiwi's Curtis Palmer on a sprint to the goal line. Palmer had his tire blown off the rim and was flipped sideways over the goal pylon. Turnovers really began to hurt New Zealanders and each one seemed to result in another USA goal. Coming from behind and dodging a bullet, the Dynamic Dozen notched another win, 38 - 35.

With that emotional win behind them, the American ruggers work was still not done. They would now face the New Zealand B team. The Kiwi's developmental squad had the same tenacity as their sister team but they lacked the experience. The US started with a lineup that included Gilland, Ken "Frank" McDonnell, Farrington. and Gumbert. The men in red, white, and blue used ball control on offense while their sound defense helped create crucial turnovers. Taking advantage of the New Zealanders' miscues helped the American squad jump to an early lead that was carried through the game by the entire team. With the game in hand, Team USA worked on ball control and fine-tuned the skills they would need in the later rounds of the tournament. Final score. USA 43. New Zealand B 30.

With day 2 of the tournament winding down,. the Americans had one game left. They would face the team from Western Australia. USA jumped out to a quick lead and continued to apply the teamwork they had developed during their previous games. Team USA featured standouts Marty "Sir" Wittman, Mike "Wag" Wagner, Bob "What" Martinson, and Greg "Metallica" Hock. Creating turnovers and avoiding miscues paid off for the US squad, as they were able to win the game without much difficulty. The final was USA 33, Western Australia 20.

Day three would be the last day of round robin competition With two more wins the Americans could avoid a semi final match and advance directly to the finals. With that as an incentive, Team USA took the court against the club team from Victoria. The US boys came out with a lineup featuring McCabe, Brooks, and a duo called "The Connection." Hock and Martinson acquired their nickname through their ability to work together. Using team cohesiveness exemplified by "'The Connection," the US squad was able to come together for another victory. The final: TEAM USA 39, Victoria 23.

With one more game to win before reaching the final, the men wearing the red,white, and blue could ill afford to let the team's tempo and tenacity disappear. The US ruggers would face the New South Wales Cyclones. This club team from the land of the Kangaroos would force the US to play controlled rugby to keep their winning streak intact. The US team opened with a quick lead and decided to substitute liberally in order to save the players for a tough final match. With all players getting playing time, coaches were provided an opportunity to formulate a game plan for the finals. The Cyclones put their determination into the game and showed why the sport of rugby has earned its reputation for hard hitting and finesse play. In the end, the team from the United States prevailed with a 44 - 25 victory

With robin play finished, TEAM USA went into the finals with a perfect record. Their opponents would be the hometown favorites. South Australia. The Aussies from the South had advanced to the finals by beating the New Zealand all stars. So the stage was set and Coaches' Suhr and Gumbert challenged the American ruggers to come out and play controlled, up-tempo rugby.

From opening tip-off, the US took control of the game. Led by captains McCabe and Gumbert, the US played their style of game and did not fall into the traps set by the Aussies. One of those traps was for the Aussies to reach and frustrate the US team with incidental contact. When the Aussies used this tactic they ended up committing fouls and turnovers that hurt their own team's chance of winning. In the end, the United Stated team prevailed and the "Dynamic Dozen" would take home the Australian National Championship trophy.

With the championship in hand, TEAM USA continued their streak of unbeaten play in international competition. Without question, the American squad could never have won without the support staffs assistance they had during this trip. And TEAM USA had the best Team supporters Teresa Skinner, Steve and Cindy Wagner and Regina Bartiress were always available for the entire team throughout the tournament. On behalf of every TEAM USA member, we can simply say Thanks! Before I forget, our entire team extends an expression of heartfelt gratitude to the tournament host and staff who truly put on a great tournament. Good on you!

Note: Special thanks to Dan Casady for the edit.

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