In the U18 Boys brackets of the NAI 7s, one team capped off what has been an excellent five-year run of four championships, while another team made it a year of titles.
U18 Elite
The Rebel Rugby White team won a dramatic and well-played Boys U18 Elite final at the NAI 7s. This game was a thriller.
The teams traded tries throughout the match, but a crucial period of two tries won it for Rebel.
"We like to create chaos" said Wolverines captain Kaimani Keanaaina. "And we wanted that but sometimes it didn't go right.
Rebel started the game exactly how they wanted, pressuring defensively off the kickoff and pinning the Wolverines back in their 22. Finally Bryson Davis powered up the middle, and Rebel led 7-0.
San Mateo were explosive and dangerous off the restart—secure winning of the restart is critical in the 7s game. They kicked ahead and almost scored, got a scrum, and a snappy halfback move off Eva Ma'a set up a nice offload for Mateni Pumai, who charged through. Tie ballgame 7-7.
And that was halftime.
San Mateo attacked right off the kickoff for the second half and Uate Pifeleti galloped around the outside the score and give the Wolverines the lead. The try was out wide, however, and the conversion missed and it was 12-7.
Off the next restart Sam Mateo got a yellow card for a dangerous challenge in the air. From their own half Rebel worked hard to just patiently work through the phases.
"I think we do a good job of playing as a team, staying patient with the ball, but then we seize those opportunities that we see in front of us in the game," said Reese Reiter.
A key run from Ethan Schock put Rebel on the front foot and then Davis showed some sidesteps and weaved his way through a slightly disjointed Wolverine defense and was in under the posts. Conversion good and it was 14-12.
Backed up the Wolverines tried some additional offloads, some of which worked and one that didn't. The pass hit the ground and while the kick ahead didn't produce a try, Rebel got the ball back, worked it back into the 22, and after a loose ball rolled around on their side, Blake Guthrie scooped it up and was through.
Try Rebel, and the conversions, from Connor Colao and Gavin Vroegh had it at 21-19.
Then a weird sequence. Off the restart San Mateo appeared to get a yellow card for killing the ball and it looked as though Rebel could work off the clock. However, an AR consultation showed that the restart had not gone 10 meters. No penalty, no yellow card, and a free kick for San Mateo at halfway.
The Wolverines raced down the field and got over for the final try. Conversion good. But there was no time left. Rebel held on 21-19.
For the Wolverines, it had been a superb showing against a number of outstanding teams. But Rebel, who had lost last year to Sac AIR and remembered that loss vividly, were determined to regain the title they had won three years in a row.
It was a testament to Rebel's ability to bring players through the age ranks, and it was also a testament to Head Coach Ehtan Pougnet and his staff and their ability to get a team playing as a team quickly.
And then the team itself held in check some explosive players.
"I'd say one thing about Rebel Rugby is we stand for our defense," said Vroegh. "A big thing for us is making sure we have, lockdown defense. You, know, when you go play all these steppers, you've got to block off those offloads and you've got to get there for those steps. And we like the thing called hustle high. So we're always hustling."
In the Bronze Medal game, 4G, the new select program out of North Carolina, with a heavy influence of players from Charlotte (but not entirely) defeated Belmont Shore to take 3rd. This was a solid showing for 4G, which is only playing in its second tournament.
Final: Rebel White 21 San Mateo Wolverines 19
3rd-4th: 4G Academy 17 Belmont Shore 12
5th-6th (Plate): Rebel Rugby Academy 26 SacAIR 19
7th-8th: Kaji Rugby 21 Eagle Impact Rugby Academy 19
9th-10th (Bowl): Ronins 28 Kahuku 19
11th-12th: Gorilla Rugby Pink 12 TOA Rugby Academy 7
