Impressive Showing for Okapi in Cross-Border Clash with Jesuit New Orleans
Impressive Showing for Okapi in Cross-Border Clash with Jesuit New Orleans
The Okapi club out of Southern Florida visited Jesuit New Orleans this past weekend in a cross-board clash.
Jesuit had just dug itself out of a snowstorm, a very rare occurrence for New Orleans, and, yes, it's still early days for both teams. However, it was Okapi's ability to control field position that told the tale, with the Florida team winning 45-5.
"We lost most of our lineouts; great kicking game from Okapi," said Jesuit NOLA Head Coach Adam Massey. "That was the different. Win [the lineouts] and the match would have been very different."
Certainly with Okapi realizing that they could kick to touch and steal Jesuit's lineout throws changed the tactical game. Massey said he was very pleased with a number of aspects of the game, felt his team did well in other areas, and encountered the type of competition they really need.
"This was our first real match against legit competition and thus the first proper match for five new players. We were able to move the ball and had tons of go-forward and line breaks."
"It’s always a a great experience to play with teams outside of Florida," chimed in Okapi Head Coach Juan Orfila. "Typically they are bigger in size and physically stronger than the ones at home. Jesuit started strong breaking our defensive line in the center of the field a couple of times, but our boys managed to contain those attacks. Our kicking game was precise during the whole 70 minutes allowing territorial control."
Fullback Jose Giuliani scored three tries and also showed a consistent ability to execute 50-22s. No. 8 Juan Codoni scored two while lock Bautista Orfila and scrumhalf Joaquin Rodriguez also touched down. Despite those contributions, it was actually tighthead prop Gonzalo Milhao who was named player of the game, getting the honor for his work in the scrum and also key open-field play.
As has been outlined in GRR, Okapi was started as a youth program some years ago by Argentinian-Americans in Florida who wanted their kids to play the game they love. So most of the Okapi players are of Argentinian descent and speak both Spanish and English. The club has grown to big numbers and now field a 2nd side (Okapi Pink) in the Florida league. Okapi Pink won a game against Jesuit's 2nds and also won a league game 19-15 over Tampa this weekend.
For Jesuit New Orleans it was a glimpse into the deep rugby culture of Argentina.
"Everyone, coaches included, spoke Spanish the whole match," said Massey. "That was pretty cool. We felt like we were overseas."
