They’ve tasted silver — now Team GB’s rugby squad are hungry for gold
V TEAM MACCABI GB’s Open rugby team are “hungry for success” at next month’s Maccabiah Games — and they’re looking at previous performances at the tournament to spur them on to winning gold.
Having not fielded a squad at the last Games in 2017, they finished fourth in 2013 and, having come away with silver in 2009, they want to go one better this time around.
Full of experience in the managerial and coaching setup, Aaron Liffchak, the ex-Saracens Premiership player will be taking part in his fourth Maccabiah Games, this time as head coach.
He’ll be assisted by ex-London Irish and Taranki player Mark Pettit, for whom it will also be his fourth Maccabiah Games.
Abel Leaman, who currently plays at Harrow RFC, is the team’s playermanager, Jordan Angel is the video analyst, while Jon Tyler, in what will now be his sixth Maccabiah Games, is the chairman.
Selecting the squad wasn’t the easiest of things to accomplish as Tyler explains. “Finding Jewish rugby players is always a challenge, sometimes we hear of a rumour of a Jewish player in a particular club or area and we end up like the ‘Heir Hunters’ as we try to track them down.
“However, our final squad selection has left us with a strong group of players across a wide gamut, from current professional rugby players to those just leaving school.
When deciding upon the final selection of the squad the selection committee felt it was important to not only give us the best chance for success at these games, but also pick players from younger generations who could learn a lot from their first Maccabiah Games and leave them in good stead for future Games.”
They have chosen players from across the UK — although they were hoping to have greater representation from Scotland and Ireland. Tyler says: “We’re delighted with both the quality of the players as individuals and their ability to come together as a team.”
All play at competitive levels, with Sam Katz plying his trade El Salvador in the Spanish Division, while others have various county and club honours.
Ranging in age from 18 to 39, Tyler says: “All showcase the exciting talent coming through for the future generation of Jewish Rugby.” Using both Old Merchant Taylors and Harrow RFC to train at over the past 12 months, they also plan a trip to South London to train at Kingston RFC. Covid restrictions and demands of the regular season from players’ home clubs made it difficult to get the squad together, but the frequency and intensity of training sessions have increased as the year has progressed. Being put through their paces with sessions every three to four weeks, they recently played an invitational Harrow RFC XV, coming away with a 65-10 victory.
As to what he hopes the side can achieve in Israel, Tyler says: “Success would be for the squad to perform well, develop as a group as we progress throughout the tournament and playing an attractive brand of rugby that will create excitement and an appetite for both current and future players to take part in the next set of Games.
“Previous Games have left us hungry for further success and a big priority for the squad in 2022 will be success both on and off the pitch, ensuring players create memories not just from the rugby playing itself, but the once-in-alifetime experience being involved in a Maccabiah Games can offer you.
“But building a sustainable Maccabi GB rugby programme is at the heart of everything we are doing this year. If we perform at the high standards we know we can, then anything can happen!”
As to what it will mean to him to lead the side out, Liffchak says: “I’ve been fortunate enough to have been part of some top teams and worked with some world-class coaches and players throughout my career, but it’s safe to say being involved in the Maccabiah Games is an absolute highlight.
“Bringing together a group of players and support staff that come from around the country, all buying into working towards a common goal both on and off the pitch is something I am very lucky to be part of. Team Maccabi GB has a rich history of rugby at the Maccabiah Games and I am honoured to be head coach of this squad.”
Our final squad selection has left us with a strong group