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Rugby was the passport for a group of Americans visiting a country full of mystery and intrigue this February. The setting was the first IRB (International Rugby Board) sanctioned Sevens tournament held in the capital of Castro’s Cuba — picturesque Havana.

The team, Atlantis, was a US selection side made up of 14 Americans (10 players, two coaches, one manager and one athletic trainer) and one Canadian. The tournament, held on Feb 27 and 28 and set-up by Canadian rugby philanthropist Karl Fix, featured some of North and South American rugby’s finest.

Opening ceremonies kicked off in fine fashion with 12 teams representing seven countries flying their flags under the shadows of Eduardo Saborit Stadium, a pre-revolution dog track and now sports arena.

Atlantis, led by longtime US national sevens men’s and women’s rugby coach Emil Signes, played three games on the first day of the tournament posting three shut-out wins versus two Cuban national development teams and the Mexican National team.

Former US National Sevens player Marcus Respes and powerful young Texan thoroughbred Kelly Kolberg led the scoring. Other teams that looked strong on that day were the first Cuban national team and Canadian contingent Dog River Howlers.

On Day 2, Atlantis kicked off to the Venezuelan team. The Venezuelans pressed early and were encroaching the try line when Kolberg tattooed the ball carrier and won the ball, leading to an Atlantis try and eventual win.

The next game saw Atlantis take on the Cuban national team backed by the bells, horns and whistles of their fervent fans. In what can only be described as near flawless game, Atlantis blanked a very impressive Cuban side 15-nil.

Later on the Cuban team, only in its infancy, beat an IRB calibre Mexican team for third place, proving they are ready to compete on the international rugby stage with less than 10 years experience.

This placed Atlantis in the final against the Dog River Howlers of Canada. The Canadians were too strong for Atlantis, as the Howlers won 35-5, Respes scoring Atlantis’ lonely try.

The Cuba tournament ended in the clubhouse Atlantis players quickly gravitated to many of the Cuban players they had befriended that week. overcoming national biases and showing the strong bonds that had been developed. 

“I have been all around the world playing rugby and this has been my best experience yet,” said Kolberg, sitting beside his new rugby chum Pablo from Guatanemo province. “These people have changed my view on Cubans.”

Atlantis’ trip to Cuba proved to be another testimony to the power of sport and especially Sevens the ability to reach across cultural lines.

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