Crocus senior Clark plays big on rugby pitch

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This article was published 23/04/2024 (761 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It was an easy sell for Colin Clark to transition from football to rugby.

“I had a buddy who convinced me to come out to a practice as he thought it would be fun to play, and I fell in love with rugby,” recalled the Grade 12 rugby player with the Crocus Plainsmen.

“There’s a family feel to rugby compared to football … you’re out there with 14 other teammates, and there’s bonding you don’t see playing football. You have to trust each other in this game.”

Clark ended his high school football career with the Plainsmen last fall, playing running back and scoring two touchdowns. Rugby is now his sport of choice or passion as he can continue playing long after he graduates in June. He’s looking to the Barbarians senior men’s rugby club, besides playing for Team Manitoba’s U18 team.

Standing five-foot-five, Clark relishes the opportunity to tackle opponents, his lateral movement as the opposition moves the ball forward swift and accurate as he pulls down a player, knocking the ball free at the same time. He might be small in stature, but he plays big once the referee blows the whistle to start a game.

“This is a physical game, which I like,” he said, noting the only protective gear he has on the rugby pitch versus the gridiron, is his mouthguard.

“I tell my coach when I play, I’m six-foot-eight, 300 pounds,” he said laughing. “When I first started playing I was a hooker, which is an active role at that position.

“Now that I’m in a leadership role on the team, being a senior, I’m playing [position] nine or 10, so I’m figuring it out as I change positions.”

Unlike football where play starts at the line of scrimmage, and there’s more stoppages after whistles, Clark likes rugby for its constant flow, stopping after a try, line-out, injury or when setting up a scrum. Plus, the pitch is wider to handle the 30 players in action when playing 15s. So, endurance is important, according to Clark. He does not mind the running.

This was evident during the 16th annual John Keogh Festival held at John Reilly Field, where high school boys’ and girls’ teams were able to test their mettle in anticipation for the start of the 2024 Westman High School Rugby (WHSR) season. Coaches used their substitutes liberally, especially giving rookies a chance to play so they can learn their positions.

“There’s lots of sprinting for me in my position. It feels good to tackle, or if you have an opportunity to score a try.”

Clark also has kicking added to his rugby duties, and it’s no easy task working with a ball unlike kicking a soccer ball or football.

“My kick naturally goes to the right, so I have to correct this by using different kicking tees,” he explained, showing an assortment of rubbery tees from his rugby kit bag. “I have to elevate the ball, and position it so I can get some height to my kick.

“There are different kicks I can use … from spiral kick to box kicks. I have to work on these [in practice] to perfect what works best for me. There’s so much you can do with this ball when it comes to kicking.”

After a try, Clark moves in for the conversion kick, which can be challenging depending on the angle of the kick, especially if game conditions are windy. The uprights might be higher, but perfecting his kick is something he’s constantly working on in practice.

Once the high school season is done, Clark looks to Team Manitoba, where he’s like a sponge when immersed in training sessions. He’s had to attend tryouts for the various teams first in order to be selected. He lets his play garner the attention of the coaches looking to build a provincial team.

His high school coach Sean Erickson is part of the provincial coaching program, so when he was first chosen to play for Manitoba, and attended a camp in Kelowna, B.C., he knows what he’s getting with Clark in the lineup.

“Normally, I’m a quiet person away from the game, but when I’m out there playing, then I’m loud. You have to be when working with your teammates to set up plays when you are playing scrum half.”

Unlike some of his friends who play hockey or baseball, Clark is totally immersed in rugby. He’s constantly learning the game, taking advantage of games played in New Zealand, the United Kingdom or South Africa he watches on YouTube.

He’s also played with the University of Manitoba’s team, along with four other Crocus players, when they played last season against the University of Regina. He was allowed to fill the roster because they are a club team.

“What an experience,” he recalled playing much older men. “It was terrifying for sure. I have never been hit so hard when I was double tackled. I’m not joking. I received a bad pass when I jumped up for it, and the two props both hit me at the same time.”

After getting his breath back, Clark continued playing, knowing this game experience will only help him as he continues to play, knowing when he moves up to club rugby or playing for Team Manitoba, this experiences will only make him a better player.

In his leadership position, and with coach Erickson calling on his senior players to mentor the rookies, Clark believes the Plainsmen have a strong opportunity to advance to provincials in late May, after winning the WHSR league this spring.

“We have to have trust in each other as a team,” he said. “We have a strong scrum. We just have to work hard in practice, and put what we learn there into our games. Game experience is important besides what we learn in practice.”

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