Rugby Indiana team Culver Military Academy is on tour in South America and already the team has played two games and enjoyed some special experiences.

In its 14th year playing rugby, and 9th as a varsity program, Culver Academy will play in Rugby Indiana's Super League North this year. The tour of Argentina, organized by Varsity Travel and Augustin Oulton, is a perfect warmup for the challenging league season.

Culver players pose together before a game, and during their visit to the Argentina national military academy. Bottom photo, the Jaguars v the Reds from the stands.

Culver Academies Rugby arrived on Friday, March 24 in Buenos Aries and quickly got on the training field to prepare for the opener against Liceo Naval U18s on Sunday. On Saturday the team attended the Jaguars v Reds Super Rugby. The game was played in an excellent atmosphere, made all the more joyful because the Jaguars won the game. It was a bucket list for many of the players and the coach to watch a professional rugby game while on tour. 

Sunday, March 26 was game day. The game was very fast-paced and high-impact, as both clubs tested each other. Naval went on the board first as Culver struggled to adjust to the open style of play, and at halftime Naval led 17-0.

After that, Culver settled down, got back to their pattern of play, and scored three tries. However, Naval kept up the pace and won 43-17.

Standout players for Culver included Tyler Heer, an Eagle Impact Rugby Academy tourist and HS All American camp attendee. Heer reeled off some long breaks and scored a try. Ben Flescher, who is headed to play for Furman next year, was a defensive standout. With only 15 players, and most in different positions (one playing his first game evr), Culver had to hang on and did so, learning much from the game.  the boys did not quit and overall we learned a lot form the experience.

The Culver players experienced their first foreign tour post game social were the boys traded the customary rugby items. 

The next day the team visited the Colegio Military de la Nation in Buenos Aries, the national military academy. There they were received by various officers and the Military Band. Culver Military Academy was the first military school to visit this institution.

On to the next match, and across the Rio de la Plata to Uruguay. The game was in Coloina on the Batallon de Infranteria IV, the home of a light armored infantry unit. The Major of the base gave the team a tour, and again Culver was the first foreign military academy to ever visit the base. Culver's opponent was a combination of La Olla Rugby and Sacramento Rugby from Florida, Uruguay, which is about 2 hours east of Colonia. 

In a game played with three 20-minute periods, Culver was first to strike three minutes into the match. Tyler Heer again had a productive day with two tries and was dominant in the air. Connor Henderson had two tries, and for the first time in club history two brothers scored on the same day. Flyhalf Brennen Coulson scored a try and was outstanding with his kicking game, and was named player of the game. He relieved pressure and also put Sacramento under pressure with his kicking, and led the backline. It was a good switch to rugby fot Coulson, who just a week ago was part of the the school's state championship hockey team. 

EIRA and HSAA camper Collin Knowlton played tighthead prop and also three in the lineout. He was the primary distributor to the forward attacking line, which was responsible for four tries. Final score was 44 Culver, 10 for Sacramento. The home club of La Olla does not have many resources, so Culver donated some balls and supplies. The after game social was authentic barbecue with many gifts being exchanged between coaches and club leaders. 

Next up for Culver is a game against IPR Sporting at Mar Del Plata.