On paper, the best rugby team in town should be the Kansas City Blues, which is the city's only Division I rugby team whose players are regularly called to service for national and international rugby play. The Blues also have plenty of cash from local donors. But the reason the Blues is the only Division I team is because the Kansas City Rugby Football Club voluntarily dropped to Division II this year. And isn't part of rugby about rooting for the little guy, that fast wingman who somehow scores around that bigger and better opponent? Club member Paul Snider says his team has a better shot at the national title in Division II. Besides, the farthest away game is now six hours away, meaning the team will no longer be broke and exhausted from road trips before the players even hit the field. "The one thing this club does very well is push forward," Snider says. "We've got a lot of power players." This quote speaks to things you want to hear from an amateur rugby enthusiast: a wily plan of attack, perseverance in the face of low funds, and a love of pushing the other team into the dirt. And there's something right-on about a rugby team that counts the Dark Horse Tavern as its official postpractice and postgame spot. Oh, and the team is sponsored by Newcastle Brown Ale.


