The mighty Crocs: Rugby team wins US Sevens comp

The Crocs celebrate.

Coach Luke Zeremes.

by Janine Hill

A TEENAGE rugby union team loaded with Nambour players has finished undefeated in North America’s biggest 7s tournament.

The Sunshine Coast Crocs played seven games without a loss to be crowned under 14s champions at the Tropical 7s contest in Tampa, Florida.

The Crocs beat USA West 49-7, the Neflyr Black Roses 59-0, Upright Rugby (Canada) 54-0, and the Gorillas Academy 54-0 on day one of the tournament to seed first going into the finals.

They then took out Loughdon County 34-0 in the semi-final and while the Atlantis Rugby Academy put up more of a fight in the grand final, the Crocs were victors 29-12.

Toads players Beau Mattiazzi, Samson Leggo Zac Zeremes and Jordan Gormley made the under 14s team, coached by Zac’s father, Luke Zeremes, pictured. 

The team also comprised Tonkla Phumtabtim, Tai Henare, Peter Owens, Mitchel Van Dyke, Nathan De Vries, and Jack Tambling.

Luke Zeremes was happy the finals were played in the right spirit and the Crocs had a blast playing on the main field.

“Our Crocs showcased an incredible brand of Rugby 7s featuring relentless defence, and some silky skills in attack, in two tough finals against Loudoun Rugby and Atlantis Rugby,” he wrote online afterwards.

The Crocs were the first Australian team to play in the Tampa 7s.

The trip was not all rugby for the boys, who were on school holidays. They visited theme parks, saw a Tampa Bay Lightning ice hockey match, and even visited Walmart on spare days. 

The Crocs boys are not the only Toads players to be doing well.

Seven Toads girls have been named in the Sunshine Coast Schools teams for the state championships in May-June.

Mackenzie Sharpe, Pippen Russell, Catie Leask, Ella Luton, Laura-May McGovern, Madi Collins and Mia Vines have done the club proud.