Around the halls of Berkeley High School recently, there have been a slew of posters promoting the Rhinos Rugby team. The Rhinos are local to the Bay Area and are coming up on their 40th anniversary. They offer rugby coaching and teams to players of all skill levels and ages. Rugby, both in Berkeley and across the United States, has historically been a sport with a smaller following — but the Rhinos are working to change that.
Rugby shares many similarities with American football, but there are a few key differences, including no blocking in Rugby and a rule that only allows the player with the ball to be tackled. Rugby matches are played with 15 players on the field per team, and each match consists of two 40-minute halves.
Jonas Torke, a BHS junior, plays flanker for the Rhinos. A flanker’s role is focused on making tackles and retrieving the ball from the opposition. Torke self-described his position as “the smallest of the big guys.” William Graham, a BHS senior, plays both as a forward and a backer. Forwards are in charge of getting and keeping the ball, whilst backers attempt to score. When asked about the Rhinos’ connection to BHS, Torke clarified, “The Berkeley Rhinos doesn’t have a direct affiliation with Berkeley High (School). We recruit from a bunch of high schools around the Bay Area, which is great because I get to meet and play with guys from all over.” Graham echoed this sentiment, saying, “I might never have talked to some of these people, but through rugby we are all friends.”
Torke values the camaraderie that comes with being part of the Rhinos, and he gave special recognition to Head Coach Chris Dempster. “It’s really important to have good team synergy and communication,” Torke said, “I think the Rhinos have that down.”
Like football, rugby is an intensely physical and contact-heavy sport. The risk of injury is always present, and all players have had firsthand experiences with different types of injuries. As a football and rugby player, Graham shared, “Football injuries are less common and last longer, while rugby injuries happen more but are less serious.” Torke also has experience with injuries, having sprained his MCL. Torke reflected, “With any contact sport, but especially ruby, you have to understand that injuries are part of the game. It’s just the nature of the sport.”
As the Rhinos Rugby team celebrates its 40th anniversary, their commitment to fostering talent and community has a growing impact on the future of the sport in the Bay Area. With a focus on friendship, the Rhinos are creating opportunities for players to thrive both on and off the field.