Rugby Players

Rusikulya (Ganjam) (Bhubaneshwar), Nov.19 (ANI): British rugby players, who are here for teaching tag rugby to aspiring players, joined a campaign launched by local environment activists in Orissa to save the depleting number of Olive Ridley sea turtles.

The players joined the campaigners, on Saturday in Ganjam District during the launch of a crusade to protect the Olive Ridley sea turtles facing extinction due to large-scale fishing.

The environmentalists and players were opposing the construction of new port near Rusikulya, as it will harm the turtle. During the launch, the players were carrying placards carrying messages: Save Olive Ridley sea turtles.

"We have come here to teach the children the game of tag rugby. We are with the Tag Rugby Development Trust.

The bitter feud over better conditions for Sevens rugby players exploded after the Australian Rugby Union announced it will name a new squad of players to compete in next month's IRB tournament in Dubai.

The players had originally threatened to boycott the tournament if the ARU did not increase players' appearance fees from $1,500 to $3,500 with the union claiming they were at an unfair advantage to their rivals in New Zealand, South Africa and England who receive annual contract payments of up to $50,000.

Are many of you wondering what a Steam Donkey is? Well, it might be easier to explain who they are rather than what they are.

The Mendocino Steam Donkeys are a rugby team that was started here in Mendocino County in July of this year and in August became part of the Northern California Rugby Football Union in Division three.

"Well, Liam started this team out of selfishness," said Vance Ricks, one of the more experienced rugby players the Steam Donkeys have. "He started it because he would have to travel all over California just to continue playing."

Ricks and Liam might be experienced players but you don't have to be experienced in the game of rugby.

"We have people here that have played professionally all the way to guys that just have no experience as all," Ricks said.