Locals show rugby excellence

Neil Fontenot Jr. and Hunter Breit, both seniors at Destrehan High School, were selected to play rugby for the USA South U19 Panthers this summer.

The two started their road to the U19 team playing for the Bayou Hurricanes Rugby Football Club of the Louisiana High School Rugby League. From there they were selected to try-out for the Louisiana Exiles, a Louisiana All-Star select team.

They attended camps and try-outs in New Orleans and Denver, Colorado, and were selected to play for the Louisiana Exiles, representing Louisiana in a game versus a touring team from Wales of the United Kingdom.

They were then invited to try-out for the USA South U19 Panthers and attended camps and try-outs in New Orleans, Murfreesboro, Tennessee and Columbus, Georgia.

Breit was selected to play for the USA South U19 Panthers Blue Team and Fontenot was selected to play for the USA South U19 Panthers Red Team to represent USA in the annual NACRA (North American, Caribbean Rugby Association) tournament on July 11 – 19 in Orlando, Florida. Their team played against Mexico, Bermuda, Turks and Cacaos, Trinidad and Tobago, Barbados and the Cayman Islands.

“It was an unreal feeling representing my country while playing the sport that I love,” Breit said. “I don’t think I would have enjoyed the whole experience playing against other countries if it was any other sport.

“I love rugby because it is such a cultural and social sport. The camaraderie is truly unmatched in any other sport.

Fontenot echoed his friend and teammate.

“It was such an honor being selected to represent the USA and getting to meet all the other kids from different countries,” he said.

The USA Reds moved from 8th position last year to 7th position this year playing against Mexico and the Cayman Islands, falling to both. They went on to defeat Bermuda to take 7th place.

The USA Blues moved from 3rd place last year to take 2nd place this year by beating Bermuda and Barbados, but fell just short of a championship, finishing second after a loss to Mexico in the championship game.