America's Rugby Warrior

Not many of us get career advice from old ladies in the grocery store. But when you’re an American rugby player starring for a beloved Welsh team, it comes with the territory.

MVP of one of the top rugby clubs in the world, and captain of the U.S. national team, San Diegan Dave Hodges is one of the sport’s hardest workers and toughest tacklers. “No one in the game is more of a warrior,” says his former U.S. head coach, Jack Clark.

A key member of San Diego’s Old Mission Beach Athletic Club (OMBAC) team that won the 1996 U.S. national championship, Hodges has dedicated himself to rugby, particularly playing for his country.

“I worked and trained and didn’t have much of a life outside of that,” says the 6-foot-4 loose forward. “Coming out of college, I wanted to play for OMBAC and the U.S. team, and I gave myself two years to do that.” He accomplished both goals, and also signed with the Welsh club Llanelli, where he was team MVP last season and improved the team’s weight-training program.

“It was no coincidence he won,” says Llanelli coach Gareth Jenkins. “Everyone who watched Llanelli recognized he was the best player.”

Hodges will need to be his best in April, when he leads the U.S. team in two critical games to qualify for the 2003 World Cup. “My sole purpose is qualifying for the World Cup,” says Hodges, his face showing the scars of a long season. “My [Welsh] club knows my country comes first, and always will. These are must-win games.”

Under such pressure, a return to San Diego can be refreshing. Hodges’ new wife, Penny, is also a San Diegan. “Penny and I really miss San Diego,” he says. “It’s an outdoor city where everyone does something—walk, run, scuba dive or surf. It’s really more of a town than a city.”

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