Photos: Flowers Photography (Trina Flowers)
Carson Colt Rugby may be new to the Southern California Green Division, a single-school 7s league, but the players and staff are well familiar with success. The roster features many of the players who helped the South Bay Spartans (a club team) to three consecutive SoCal U16 7s titles, and the team is intent on extending that record into the single-school realm.
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The SoCal Green Division includes three pools: Los Angeles (5 sides), Orange County (5) and San Diego (10). Carson is not only undefeated, but has averaged 36 points per game and has not surrendered a point against. Significant wins (including non-league games) include Fallbrook (41-0), View Park (22-0) and Mission Vista (44-0).
Captain Siniva Mailo, Manaia Moala and Amaya Moala have been handling a rugby ball since the U-10 co-ed league. They’re sophomores and have 7-8 years of experience. Seniors Brooklyn Vaifanua (2 years of experience) and Alana Aupiu (5) also serve as captains, and they’re well supported by key veterans like juniors Jayla Delia (6) and Tynesa Taulua (2); and sophomores Punipuao Skipps (5), Ahnea Aupiu (5) and Zonaye Tupuola (3). Four of Carson’s 18 players do not attend the high school, but that’s allowed, up to 30% of the roster.
Manaia Moala
There is one more week of league play, and then it all comes together at the Green Division championship (Feb. 17, Mission Vista High School, Oceanside). The top-two teams from the Los Angeles and Orange County pools, and top four from San Diego will compete for the single-school 7s title.
And then it gets interesting. The Carson/South Bay players will head to the Las Vegas Invitational in early March. In the past, this fixture has been difficult to use as a barometer because it used to be the first competition of the year. The team took its lumps against Canadian and Australian sides.
Jayla Delia
“This is the first year we will be benefit from having a high school season prior to club season. We should be entering Vegas 7s in a better position than years past,” explained Carson High School head coach Myron Mailo, who also served as South Bay U16 coach. “Also our young ladies are coming of age. Many of those losses came from more experienced teams playing against many freshmen.”
When the team returns to California, it will be time for the high school club competitions, and Carson will morph into South Bay going forward. Those players who helped the Spartans to three-straight SoCal U16 titles, they’re heading into the U18 15s league this year. In years prior, the U16 leagues have had the option to play 15s games if the teams could support the numbers, but now the U14 and U16 club divisions are 7s only. Fifteens is only played in the U18 ranks (although SoCal high schools launched a four-team 15s division this year) and so the incoming group is short on experience.
Punipuao Skipps
“Everyone on our high school team will be available on our club 15s team with South Bay Spartans,” Mailo looked toward continuity as he prepares for his new role as U18 head coach, taking over for Emo Pula. “This is a new chapter for many of our young ladies.”
Mailo is looking forward to getting sophomore Shy Tonumaipea (6) back into rotation and watching first-year sophomore Mercie Vivao ply her natural abilities at flanker. Young or not, South Bay is ready to return to the club division of the National Invitational Championship (May 18-19, Tennessee).
Zonaye Tupuola
“We want to test our progress,” Mailo explained the never-ending process. “The team trusts that our process will be the same entering the 15s division. We’re all excited about this new chapter. We are entering it together. Win or lose, we do it together!”
For more information on how SoCal Youth, visit www.socalyouthrugby.org.