2011 The Year in Rugby in Pictures

Here's a look at 2011 through photos. Thanks to all our many talented photographers.

• Start with a Try

  January: Jesuit star Matt Chipman scores for the High School All Americans.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/mattchipman-hsaas.jpg

• Early Games

  January: Chico State v. Stanford in the Stanford Invitational. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/chico-stanfordinv-dobson.jpg

• Start in SF

  January: SFGG hosts James Bay from Canada. Captain Danny LaPrevotte leads the way as his club sets its sights on another Super League title.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/SFGGvJBAA-2011-Brewin-9med.jpg

• Time to go to Work

  February: USA lock Hayden Smith in action for his pro club, Saracens. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/saracensvwasps-feb2011-muir (11).jpg

• What it's All About

  February: A young girl gets started early at the USA 7s Fan Fest in Las Vegas. David Barpal photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/kid-festival-2011usa7s-barpal.jpg

• I got 'im, no, I got 'im

  February. Two Kansas City players get in on the tackle of a French Development player at the Las Vegas Invitational.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/France v Kansas City.jpg

• Like my T-shirt?

  February: A lot of people did as this young man won the USA 7s T-shirt design contest.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/077 small - Copy.jpg

• Little help!

  February: A Canadian player attends to USA's Paul Emerick after he sustains a nasty cut over his eye. Emerick would get patched up and would score later in that game. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/DSC_5749.jpg

• New Team

  March: A brand new team, the Utah Warriors, took the field against the University of Utah before entering the Super League. Paul Meyers photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/UWarvsUtah-Meyers-108 (9).jpg

• Under the Andres

  March: Gonzaga HS on tour in Argentina with the Andes in the background.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/gonzaga-argentina-2-nelsongomes.jpg

• A New Era

  March: The CPD (D1A) starts play and Life University plays its first league game as an undergraduate team, a win over Tennessee. Tightfive photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/2011-0305-Life-Rugby-D1-021.jpg

• Try-Scorer

  March: Ryan Roundy on the rampage for BYU against Colorado State. Roundy led the CPD (now D1A) in tries in 2011. Paul Meyers photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/Ryan Roundy1-meyers-med.jpg

• USA Fans Everywhere

  March: These fans are in Hong Kong. Al Hamilton photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/HK Sevens-110325-4273.jpg

• Heart

  March: Todd Clever filled in for the USA 7s team at the Hong Kong 7s, and played with a small Japanese flag on his leg to show support for the victims of the Japanese earthquake and tsunami, which had struck Northern Japan two weeks before. Alan Hamilton photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usavjapan-bowlsemis-hamilton-1.jpg

• Home is Sweet

  April: Mike Petri sprins the ball out for NYAC in a Super League match against Old Blue. Petri had been playing with pro clubs in the UK, but returned to amateur rugby in the USA to get more playing time in advance of the World Cup. Ed Hagerty photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/NYACvOBNY-Hagerty-2011 (4).JPG

• Color of Winning

  April: USA player Scott LaValla, second from right in front, celebrates with the Dublin University team he captained to victory in the annual colours match against University College Dublin.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/coloursmatch2011wide.jpg

• Pre-Match

  April: Not a rematch, that would come later. Highland v. United, version 1. Teri Toro photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/highlandvunited-2011-teri-toro-2med.jpg

• Appreciate

  April: A parachutist brings the flag in for OMBAC's game on Military Appreciate Day. Randall Mar photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/ombacmilitaryappreciationday-randall-mar.jpg

• Fun in the Sun

  April: St. Mary's v UCLA in D1A college play. Mike Geib photo

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/smccvucla-geib-4.jpg

• Double Champs

  May: Army women ruck over against BYU in the women college playoffs. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/armyvwcr-3-dobsonmed.jpg

• 2011CalvsUtah-102.jpg

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/2011CalvsUtah-102.jpg

• 7s is the thing

  May: Iowa's single-school 7s HS league has been a huge success.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/iowahs-7s-3.jpg

• Winning Feels Good

  April: Occidental College wins the new West bracket of the National Small College Rugby Organization men's DIII playoffs. Occidental ends up losing to Longwood in the national final.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/occidentaldiiwestwinners.jpg

• Facing the Warrior

  June: The USA team faces Tonga's pregame haka before playing their Churchill Cup match, a game Tonga won 44-13. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/_DSC0554.jpg

• On Our Way

  June: Roland Suniula for the USA v. Tonga. Suniula eventually nabbed the starting flyhalf spot for the World Cup. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/_DSC0876.jpg

• Semifinal Time

  June: Olympic Club, in white, against Palmer, in purple, during a national DI semifinal. Olympic Club would go on to win. Cody Secker photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/oclub.palmer.jpg

• Stars and Stripes

  June: Paul Emerick takes the ball up against Russia. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/emerickvrussia-muir-wide.jpg

• Champions

  June: USA fullback Chris Wyles is all smiles after his professional club, Saracens, won the Aviva Premiership championship match.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/wylescelebrates.jpg

• Champions!

  June: Glendale celebrates winning the men's DI club title. Pat Clifton photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/glendale-nat-champs-clifton.jpg

• Dartmouth Class of CRC

  June: Dartmouth are brilliant in winning the CRC. Marvin Dangerfield photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/03_dart celebrates_marvin dangerfield.jpg

• Running Through the Tackle

  June: Jess Sexauer keeps going as she leads Army to the women's title at the USA 7s Collegiate Rugby Championships in Chester, Pa. Marvin Dangerfield photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/armyvpsutackle-dangerfield.jpg

• Well, we're the best fans.

  June: Fans for Temple were the most numerous and most vocal at the USA 7s Collegiate Rugby Championships in Chester, Pa. Marvin Dangerfield photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/fans-dangerfield-1.jpg

• Surfs Up

  July: Penn State at the Surfside 7s. Ed Hagerty photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/Surfside-7s-Penn StatevJamesMadisonWomenCollegeHagertymed.jpg

• Elusiveness

  July: USA U20 and Zimbabwe U20 players look at the ball in the 7th/8th match of the Junior World Rugby Trohpy in Tbilisi, Georgia. The USA would win 30-29. P. Crane photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usau20svzimbabwe-crane (11).jpg

• Big Summer

  July: Dewon Reed was a big part of Glendale's 7s and 15s success. Pat Clifton photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/Glendale-DewonReed-Clifton.jpg

• Who's This Guy?

  July: Maka Unufe with the Utah 7s team - Unufe became an all-star and then an Eagle before the year was out. Cody Secker photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/utahvepa-secker-1.jpg

• More Questions

  July: All American Gareth Jones fields questions from RUGBMag's Alex Goff. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/AAsvNZUnis-Dobson-Images (8).jpg

• Opening the Door

  August: Hawaii Marist got a dispensation to play in the national 7s club championship, opening the door for Hawaiian players to get a chance to compete and be seen. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/hawaiimarist-dobson-4.jpg

• Together

  August: USA club 7s champions Belmont Shore. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/belmontshore-cheer-dobson-2011med.jpg

• Journey's End

  August: Berkeley took the women's club 7s title. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/berekelyvbostonwomenfinal-dobson-med.jpg

• Nowhere to Go

  August: Taku Ngwenya is stopped during the USA's match against Canada in Toronto. Canada won 28-22. Joe Langman photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/JRL_CanUSA_06aug2011_10.jpg

• Keeping an Eye On

  August: USA women's 7s team coach Ric Suggitt watches action during the National 7s All-Star Championships in Chila Vista, Calif.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/IMG4807-M.jpg

• NASC Action

  August: Action during the NASC 7s in Chula Vista, Calif.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/aas-7snasc-usar2.jpg

• Agony or just yelling?

  August: Longtime USA and SFGG star Mose Timoteo yells something during the national club 7s championships in San Francisco. Dobson Images.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/timoteo.dobson.1.med.jpg

• Serious Faces

  August: USA captain Todd Clever and soon-to-be all-time leading caps-earner Mike MacDonald take the field against Canada at Infinity Park, Glendale, Colo. Canada would win 27-7. Marc Williams photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usavcanada-marc-williams (9).JPG

• Making the Most of It

  September: SFGG star Samu Manoa signed on with the Northampton Saints, but his deal depended on him not being available for the USA at the World Cup. Manoa has emerged as a star for the Saints.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/Samu1_Gloucester.jpg

• Time to Play

  September: The USA team stands straight for the national anthem before playing Ireland on September 11 at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Plymouth, NZ. David Brinton photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usateamvireland-med.jpg

• Cold War Fun

  September: USA and Russian fans dress up as astronauts and cosmonauts for the USA v. Russia game at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. Alex Goff photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/spacemen.jpg

• USA v Russia

  September: USA captain Todd Clever wins a lineout against Russia at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Plymouth, NZ. David Brinton photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/Russia v USA 1 122.JPG

• Grand Entrance

  September: USA players arrive at their training center in New Zealand for the 2011 Rugby World Cup on canoes.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usaincanoes.jpg

• Carthweel to the tryline

  September: League play begins. The Chicago Blaze, which has announced plans to expand it clubhouse and fields in Lamont, Ill., take the field. Dropkick photos.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/2011_Metro_v_Blaze_09.jpg

• Giving it All

  September: Mate Moeakiola leaves the field after the cut on his head opens up yet again, this time against Italy at the 2011 Rugby World Cup.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/moeakiolavitalymed.jpg

• WWU Corral

  October: Western Washington (stripes) against Central Washington in the final of Northwest Collegiate 7s. Cody Secker photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/wwuvcwu-secker-3.jpg

• League Play Starts Again

  October: Metropolis against the Chicago Lions. Dropkick Photos.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/2011_Metropolis_v_Lions_10.JPG

• Heart Breaker

  October: Canada runs in a key try as they defeat the USA by two in the semifinals of the Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Alex Goff photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usavcanada-4-goff.jpg

• Because we love it so much

  October: The Oregon girls U19 all-stars play a full schedule against college teams during the fall. Here Rachel Sorenson fends off a tackler.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/oregonu19s-rachelsorenson.jpg

• DII Action

  October: Montauk in action in the fall.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/montauk4-Walker-Bunce-carley-hatcher.jpg

• Try Time

  October. New York's Trevor Cassidy scores a try for New York in DI cub league play.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/ny-trevor-cassidy.jpg

• Inches

  October: The Pittsburgh Harlequins scrum against PAC in a Mid-Atlantic DI club league game at Pittsburgh's FOunders Field. PAC won 3-0, and were the only undefeated team in league play.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/quins2011pac.jpg

• League Time Again

  September: Palmer College takes on Metropolis in Midwest DI club play. Dropkick Photos.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/2011_Palmer_v_Metropolis_09.JPG

• Got to Stretch

  October: Jonathan Gray stretches to score for Albuquerque in a DII club league match in the Rio Grande league. Derek Lucero photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/alb-aardvarks-jongray-derek-lucero.jpg

• WPL Play

  October: Twin Cities Amazons v. San Diego Surfers in Women's Premier League play. Dropkick photos.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/2011_Amazons_v_Surfers_11.JPG

• Thankful

  October: USA players thank their loyal fans after taking the Bronze Medal at the 2011 Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara, Mexico. Alex Goff photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/thanking-fans-goff.jpg

• Huddle Up

  October: USA players huddle during the Pan-Am Games in Guadalajara. Alex Goff photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usahuddle-pires.jpg

• Fighting Through

  October: Blaine Scully tries to elude the Brazilian defense at the Pan-Am Games. The USA and Brazil would tie 19-19. Luiz Pires photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/pan-am-pires-pools (2).jpg

• Breakout Star

  October: Maka Unufe led the Pan-Am games in tries. Luiz Pires photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/unufe-goff.jpg

• Gold is Golden

  October: The Canadian 7s team celebrates winning gold at the Pan-Am Games. Martin Seras Lima photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/canadamedals-lima.jpg

• Meanwhile ...

  October: Middlesex and Portland play a DII club playoff game in the snow October 29.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/middlesexvportland-snow2.jpg

• Winner's Face

  November: Vix Folayan helped Berkeley to a Women's Premier League championship this fall. Bill English photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/berk vix folayan_bill englishwide.jpg

• What is that?

  November: It's the Johnson State College Badger. And JSC wn a National Small College Women's DIV title.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/JSC Badger.jpg

• On the Frontier

  November: Members of the Atlantis touring side in Havana, Cuba.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/atlantis-cuba.jpg

• Soon to be Home

  November: The USA 7s team poses at the Olympic Training Center, a place that will soon essentially be home for 15 men's team and 8 women's team players beginning in January, as the USOC later announces a residency program for 7s.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usanov2011-otc-med.jpg

• A New Era

  December: Like other smaller colleges, Wheeling Jesuit College has opted to not worry about football, and announced it will make rugby varsity.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/wheelingjesuitrugby.jpg

• Working in the South

  December: Miami in action in South league play. Eduardo Hussey photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/miami-action-eduardo-hussey-2.jpg

• We're No. 1

  December: Canada won in Las Vegas, Hong Kong, and here in Dubai, cementing their place as the top women's 7s team in the world. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/canada-women-dubai-muir (3).jpg

• Aim High

  December: RUGBYMag's 7s Player of the Year, Zack Test, goes high for a ball against Canada in Dubai. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/test-restartvcanada-dubai-2011-muir.jpg

• Fans are Everywhere

  December: Fans of rugby in the USA and Canada can be found all over. These were in Dubai. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/usacanadafansdubai-muir.jpg

• Tough Days in Dubai

  December: Deven Owsiany is tackled against England at the Dubai 7s in the first official IRB women's 7s tournament. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/_DSC9767.jpg

• Scrambling

  December: During a tough three tournaments, the USA 7s team opened the 2011-2012 season with some good and not-so-good performances. Here Matt Hawkins makes a tackle. Ian Muir photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/hawkinstacklevzim-dubai2011-muir.jpg

• 7s Nats

  December: Eventual champions Life University against Colorado at USA Rugby's 7s National Championships. John Eilts, USA Rugby, photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/lifevcolorado-7s-nats-john-eilts-usar.jpg

• Scant Consolation

  December: Central Washington wing Tim Stanfill was the MVP of the USA Rugby Collegiate 7s Championships, but his team lost the final in overtime. John Eilts, USA Rugby, photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/cwuvasu-7snats-john-eilts-usar.jpg

• Back to the beginning

  December: St. Mary's and SFGG play a preseason match. Michael Geib photo.

  http://www.rugbymag.com/images/slideshows/2011yeareview/_MG_2972-Edit.jpg