Unfortunately this match has been cancelled. Stars backed out 5 days before the match. It's unfortunate, but doesn't take away from the hard work the NOVA Six did to be chosen for this game. This article will remain up to honor all of their hard work!
Six NOVA Players will represent the Capital Selects in an exhibition match vs Stars Rugby.
The Capital Selects is a select side team made up of players from all across the Mid Atlantic Region. To be chosen as a part of the Select side, you must tryout and compete at multiple "Select Camps" against players from all around the region who are all eyeing that 23 man roster. With multiple camps, ranging from fifty-plus attendees, to be chosen is a great feat and makes all of us at NOVA very proud!
When: January 27, 2018
Time: 4:00 pm
Where: Evergreen Sportsplex - 19623 EVERGREEN MILLS RD, LEESBURG, VA, 20175
Cost: Free Entry
Meet the NOVA Six
Adrian Martinez
Lock/Back Row
Coaches Notes: Adrian is a natural born leader. His work at the breakdown and set pieces shows he has truly honed in on his skills. I look for Adrian to be all around the pitch contesting breakdowns, poaching ball, running support lines, stabilizing scrums and a force in line outs. Adrian could play 1 through 8 and be an asset. You would not think this guy, who is big in stature and plays angry, would finish in the top two of the fitness test!
Jake Thatcher
Prop/Lock
Coaches Notes: Jake is a firecracker. He has been known to "go off" at exactly the right time. Jake will set off an emotional-que in his teammates and raise them to his level, well almost his level. I look for Jake to do his job and make the players around him better by his play. He will never shy away from contact as he has spent his summers playing rugby league. He will be strong in the tackle and hard to bring down with ball in hand. Also, he will be the fittest and most illusive prop on the field.
John Eric Bell
aka JEB
Prop/Lock
Coaches Notes: Jeb has been a pleasant new addition to NOVA this year. No stranger to rugby, he is always looking to compete at the highest level of rugby. He's a great addition to any team with his size, skill and rugby iq. I look for Jeb to be the cornerstone in every set piece. He will be in the right spot at the right time around the field because of his rugby iq. He is big, strong and powerful, he will punish you.
Matt Marino
Number 8
Coaches Notes: Matt is the answer to every coaches dream, he's a true 8-man. Sometimes a coach will put a quick flanker at 8, or maybe an oversized lock for power, maybe a random forward that has good ball handling skills so you trust him at the back of the scrum. Matt is an 8-man, he is quick, strong, and has ball handling skills. I look for Matt to be what you expect as an 8-man on the field. He'll make his breaks, handle his tackles, distribute ball, and an engine in the set pieces. Big things for this guy.
Rob Edmonson
Prop
Coaches Notes: Rob asked me to play prop... he was playing 8-man and lock and asked the coach to play prop. That says enough about this guy, he loves the dirty work. He is skilled enough to play in the back row but he's a mountain of a man and I love that he asked to play prop! I look for Rob to score tries on the goal line against overwhelming odds. It will not matter if the defense knows a pick is coming, Rob will win the battle. If a ball carrier runs into a brick wall, that ball carrier will gain more meters hitting the brick wall than if he runs into Rob. Rob brings it. He's one to watch.
Daniel Tobias
Scrum Half
Coaches Notes: Daniel is a special young man with great talent. He has just begun his journey in the men's league and has already aspired to play with the best. The sky is the limit for this young man. I look for Daniel to distribute quick ball and test the defensive line if they give him the slightest space. On defense, it won't matter if you're a prop or wing, he will not shy away from the tackle and he will bring you down.