San Diego OMBAC Wallabies Youth Rugby: Player Profiles
DO YOU WANT YOUR PLAYER PROFILE ON THE WALLABIES WEBSITE?
IF YOU WANT TO BE PROFILED ON PLAYER PROFILE SECTION OF THE WEBSITE - PLEASE SEND YOUR PHOTO AND SOME QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS TO COACH STEVE - sscotchm@me.com - ALL WELCOME - THE MORE THE BETTER.
Tuesday, August 3
Nathan Grey - Wallaby International
During a recent trip to Australia Coach Steve was lucky enough to catch up over a cup of tea with one of his favorite Wallaby International's, Nathan Grey. Nathan has been a great supporter of the club since it was formed. A good friend of Eugene, Jo and the Marchese boys, Nathan loves hearing about the continued growth and development of the club and our kids.
Coach Steve. Thanks for taking the time out to catch up. I need to ask you the standard Wallaby profile questions - i hope they aren't too difficult to answer.
Do you have a nickname?
Greysie. I know - it is a bit weak.
What is your favorite position?
Inside Centre for the Wallabies. When I was at school I played #8. But I always wanted to be a winger - but didn't quite have enough speed.
What is your best Rugby memories?
1999 World Cup and the 2003 World Cup were definitely highlights. Also being part of the 2001 Wallabies squad that beat the British Lions for the first time in 12 years in 2001.
Greatest Rugby Disappointment?
Not having grown up in San Diego I never got to wear the famous San Diego Wallabies Youth Rugby Jersey!!!
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Growing up in Queensland I have always loved the big names of Queensland rugby - John Eales, Michael Lynaugh - there are so many. But my most favorite player is now coaching with the San Diego Wallabies, Jason McVeigh. I never met him but I have heard (from you) he is quite a legend.
What have you been doing this summer?
I am traveling a lot between Japan where I am coaching and Australia. Looking forward to the beginning of the new Super 15 season.
Best Rugby Blooper?
It is not really a blooper but their is a very good hit on you tube. Check out Click to See YouTube Video
Best thing about playing Rugby
You get to play a great sport with your mates. It has enabled me to travel the world. And I am lucky enough to have made a living out of it.
Monday, July 19
Will
How long have you been playing Rugby?
5 Years
What is your favorite position?
Inside Centre
What is your best Rugby memory?
This year - scoring lots of tries
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Matt Giteau (Australia)
What have you been doing this summer?
Junior Lifeguards and swimming a lot
Nicknames?
Scotch Tape, Wild Bill
Best Rugby Blooper?
When the ball bounced off my head when I missed a pass.
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies.
You get to know everyone and play with your mates
Wednesday, September 1
Marc
Marc, how long have you been playing Rugby?
Marc: I started with the Wallabies when I was 3, now I'm 4, so... one year playing with the Wallabies... but I have been playing rugby with you (dad) since before I could walk.
And there are pictures to prove it, right? Now, on to the next question. What is your favorite position?
Marc: Scrum half
Who is your favorite rugby player?
Marc: George Gregan!!! He used to be the scrum half for the Wallabies and also was the captain after John Eales... I want to have his hair cut.
Now, what is your best rugby memory?
Marc: What's a memory?
When you remember a moment that has taken place in the past. You know how after doing something fun you always ask me "remember when this or that?"? Well, the "this or that" you remember, is a memory.
Marc: Then my best rugby memory is scoring tries against you (dad), and playing touch with my friends and with my cousins.
What have you been up to this summer?
Marc: Lot's of things. Playing baseball and watching the Padres, and traveling to Barcelona to see my uncles, and my cousins and my grandparents, and playing rugby and soccer with my cousins, and having lots of fun!
Good. Do you have any nicknames?
Marc: Yes. Marcky-Marc, Muscles and Marcowsky
Me: What's your best rugby blooper?
Marc: What's a Blooper?
When you screw up and it makes you or others laugh. Do you remember a time when you screwed up while playing rugby and we had a good laugh?
Marc: When I missed a pass and the ball hit my nose and knocked me down. (And after seeing the look of surprise on my face)... Well, I cried at first, but now I think it's funny.
Okeeeey... Let's move on. What's the best thing about playing for the Wallabies?
Marc: Playing touch with my friends and having a BBQ
Who's your favorite SD Wallaby team mate?
Marc: All of them!!
Boy, you should run for office...
Marc: What's "running for office?"
Never mind. It's grown up stuff. Now it's time to really turn off the lights. Thank you for answering these questions. Was it fun?
Marc: Yes!!
Are you ready to go to sleep now?
Marc: Yes... Dad?
Good night.
Marc: Good night, dad.
By the way, before I resorted to the interview, I tried reading the Wallabies Newsletter as his bedtime story. You'll be pleased to know that it must be very exciting because it didn't work as a sleep-inducing tactic. When I read to him that Coach Steve had had lunch with John Eales, the old Wallabies captain, his comment back, verbatim, was "Wow! Really? Next time, can he have lunch with George Gregan and can I go too?"
Monday, July 19
Josh
How long have you been playing Rugby?
9 Years
What is your favorite position?
Fly-Half
What is your best Rugby memory?
Kicking the overtime goals in the Back Bay tournament
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Jonny Wilkinson (England)
What have you been doing this summer?
Playing Baseball with my Rugby mates
Best Rugby Blooper?
I went to punt the ball one time and missed it completely.
Nicknames?
Robbo
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies?
Lots of fun drills which teach you a lot.
Monday, July 19
Tom S
How long have you been playing Rugby?
4 Years
What is your favorite position?
Scrum Half
What is your best Rugby memory?
When I scored 4 tries in 1 game
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Phil Waugh (Australia)
What have you been doing this summer?
Played All Star Baseball
Best Rugby Blooper?
I got really mad one game and was yelling out as I tackled all the other players
Nickname
Tommy (Tommy Boy)
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies?
You get to learn to tackle when you are young
Wednesday, July 21
Jackson
How long have you been playing Rugby?
4 Years
What is your favorite position?
Hooker
What is your best Rugby memory?
Tackling an opponent on the try line to stop him winning the game for the other team
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
James O'Connor (Australia)
What have you been doing this summer?
Sports and Junior Guards
Nicknames?
Jacko, Muscles
Best Rugby Blooper?
Being the first Wallaby to be yellow carded in a game - fighting
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies.
Getting to see my school friends more
Can your Mom play a musical instrument?
Yep. She comes from a long line of Banjo players
Wednesday, July 21
Blanchard
How long have you been playing Rugby?
4 Years
What is your favorite position?
Fulback
What is your best Rugby memory?
When I tackled a guy hard and the guys' shoes came off.
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
James O'Connor (Australia)
What have you been doing this summer?
Junior Guards
Nicknames?
Blanch
Best Rugby Blooper?
Completely missed a pass - didn't even see it
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies.
I just love playing Rugby
What musical instrument do you play?
I play the piano while my Mom accompanies me on her spoons
Sunday, July 25
Max and Tom
How long have you guys been playing Rugby?
Max. 6 years. Tom 4 Years
What is your favorite position?
Max. Scrum Half as I get to direct everything and kick the forwards in the backside
Tom. In the backline so I can score tries and tackle lots of guys.
What is your best Rugby memory?
Max. My kick and regather try at the Olympic Training Centre in the pouring rain
Tom. Winning man of the match 3 weeks in a row
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Both. Nathan Grey - he used to be our neighbor and took us to lots of Waratahs games.
Do you have nicknames?
"Menacing" Max Marchese
"Too Fast" Tom Marchese
What have you been doing this summer?
Both. We moved back to Australia and have already started school.
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies.
We learnt a lot and now that we are back in Sydney we are showing off all the tackling, passing and running skills we learnt.
Thursday, July 22
Ethan M
How long have you been playing Rugby?
3 Years
What is your favorite position?
Half Back because you get to pass the ball a lot and be captain of the players
What is your best Rugby memory?
When I scored my first try - I was running down the sideline I pointed to my mom
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Matt Giteau (Australia)
What have you been doing this summer?
Lots of swimming to get in Rugby shape - doing some runs and stuff - and All Star Baseball
Nicknames?
Muscles, Etho
Best Rugby Blooper?
Getting the first ever Wallaby Red card for belting a bloke
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies.
My coach is my Dad, he works us hard and we get to do fun stuff together as a team
Anything else you want to say?
When you play Rugby - and you get really fit - you get the girls
Wednesday, July 21
Interview with Coach Jason and Coach Buck
Interviewer. Coaches Jason and Buck. You both have unusual nicknames - what are they and how did you earn then?
Coach Jason. My nickname is The Legend - because I am.
Coach Buck. My name is Buzz Lightyear - can you see the resemblance?
Interviewer. What are your favorite positions?
Coach Jason. Fly-Half - I don't want to get dirty.
Coach Buck. Tight Head Prop - I don't want to stay clean.
Interviewer. What is your best Rugby memory?
Coach Jason. Running on for the US Eagles.
Coach Buck. I can't remember that much of anything anymore.
Interviewer. Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Coach Jason. Myself
Coach Buck. Jason
Interviewer. Are you looking forward to the 2011 season?
Both Coaches. Absolutely - it is going to be the best year ever as we have the best kids ever.
Sunday, July 25
Coach Steve
Interviewer. How long have you been with the Wallabies?
2011 with be our 5th year - and our best year.
Interviewer. What are your favorite positions?
I loved playing flanker and also had a bit of time at hooker. But I always wanted to play in the centres but was too slow and stupid.
Interviewer. What is your best Rugby memory?
Australia winning its World Cups. I also loved watching South Africa win when President Mandela came on the field - we all knew we were seeing something more than a football game.
Interviewer. Worst Rugby memory?
Getting run down everytime I made a break - too slow and stupid...
Interviewer. Nicknames?
Scotchy, Boofhead
Interviewer. What new things are happening this year?
The new U14 team - finally playing 15 players per side - with lifting in the lineouts - should be fun.
Interviewer. Why do you wear such ridiculous shorts?
Jackie and Jo say I have no sense of color or style - I am proving them wrong.
Sunday, August 29
Seth
How long have you been playing Rugby?
3 Years
What is your favorite position?
Hooker
What is your best Rugby memory?
All of them
Who is your favorite Rugby Player?
Moli
What have you been doing this summer?
Kinda like doing nothing waiting for Rugby. A bit of Junior Lifeguards
Nicknames
Don't have one yet...probably Crusher
Best Rugby Blooper?
Stomping in a ruck...oops
Best thing about playing for the Wallabies.
Being the captain of the team
