Forget the American Eagles, competing for glory for the US in the World Cup Rugby Tournament down in New Zealand, all sporting eyes this week at New Zealand team captain Richie McCaw’s old university, Lincoln, were on the Beavers, the team from Oregon State University, Corvallis.
On tour in New Zealand, coinciding with rugby’s World Cup, the Beavers - who dominate the Pacific Northwest Rugby Union Collegiate Conference - took the field for a hastily organised friendly encounter with a Lincoln University rugby fifteen.
Lincoln University is the alma mater of Oregon’s Emeritus Professor Murray Dawson who formed the Oregon State University Rugby Club, affectionately known as the Beavers, back in 1961.
Lincoln University were always going to be a tough chew for the Beavers given that it has two former students and a current student in New Zealand’s 2011 World Cup All Blacks squad. And so it proved, with the Kiwi university team winning 44-15, after leading 15-10 at the break.
Beavers coach Mark Webber was gracious in defeat , praising Lincoln University for getting a quality side together at short notice.
He emphasised the importance of sports exchanges between universities and encouraged players to make the trip to one another’s university where possible.
He said he would like to see more Lincoln University students coming to OSU so the team’s rugby could improve.