when they win their lineout throws, they will attempt to go even further towards the big points.” Tramp half argued.

 

“Yes, and that will put further pressure on the defense.” Scamp added. “Which is why the defense must do all that they can and keep them behind the advantage line; but if they put their own defensive pressure on the opposing team; such as counter-rucking to turn the ball over; it can often cause the offense to make errors or commit foul play, and that’s when the ball gets turned over. If most teams could do that, they would be one of the best teams in the world.”

 

“Good point. I wouldn’t be surprised if the All Blacks got most of their penalty advantage from pressurized defense.”

 

“They probably do. But again no strong defense will ever exist without top notch fitness.” Scamp further added.

 

“Yeah; that should apply for all parts of the game.” Tramp estimated.

 

“Right again, dad.” Scamp finished with a smile. He then decided to move onto the final topic. “Anyway, onto the casualties now.”

 

“Ah! Yes.” Tramp immediately responded, who then voiced his opinion first before his son could: “Well, I will say that this is probably the roughest sport that I have ever seen; even rougher than gridiron. With all the physicality it would be pretty hard to walk away without licking wounds if you do happen to escape injury after a game.”

 

“Yeah, I mean there is so much that they put their bodies through that it is like battling on the war battlefields.” Scamp added. “There will always be fallen soldiers at the end of the battle, even if they walk away fairly unscathed; but that could mean nothing because they could be just trying to stay tough and keep going when inside they are really hurting bad.”

 

“And they could either feel it then or the next day, when the internal pain starts to spread like a cancer around the body.”

 

“Woah!” Scamp exclaimed at his father’s overstated simile. “I wouldn’t go that far, dad; but yeah, that’s a way of putting it.” He finished this with a light chuckle.

 

“It’s just an example, son.” Tramp replied, also with an amused chuckle.

 

“Yeah, I know, dad.” Scamp said, likewise amused. “Anyway, injuries are always going to occur each and every single rugby match. They can vary from a torn Achilles tendon, torn anterior cruciat ligament, shoulder blade, hamstring, or concussion. There are many others but they can take you out of action for weeks, months, a year or they can even end your career.”

 

“Now that would be a real cut to a life’s hard work.”

 

“I know. One’s whole career gone with one single serious injury: I could not imagine what could be worse for a dreamer. But luckily it doesn’t happen that often; and there will always be doctors, surgeons, physiotherapists, and osteopaths to help you get back on your feet.”

 

“So what is the best way of preventing injury?”

 

“The one element that helps to control all aspects of success in the game of rugby: Fitness. That’s another key reason as to why these players train so hard: So that they can toughen up to take the hard knocks on the field and open the opportunities for themselves and their team to score. The other way is constant physiotherapy and massage sessions to loosen up the tight and sore muscles and therefore keep yourself fit enough to continue playing. But even so I don’t think that any player ever plays at 100 per cent.”

 

“I agree, son.” Tramp responded, thinking about how tough it was for him on the streets to even remain physically stable. “It’s like how no stray can ever take on the tough challenges and stunts at 100 per cent when you are busting your back every day.”

 

“Good point.” Scamp said. “I couldn’t agree further because I know what it was like as well. So anyway, injuries are tough to avoid in the game because the players have to go hard all the time to play at their best; but those who remain extremely fit and constantly get their bodies worked on are less likely to be temporarily or indefinitely sidelined.”

 

“Then we will have to keep working our bodies harder and harder to stay match fit.” Tramp added.

 

“Yeah. Once we do get selected, that’s when it will start. Are you up for it?”

 

“No challenge is too tough for the Best-Street-Dog-There-Ever-Was.” Tramp said proudly. “It will be tough to handle, but all we need is time to adapt.”

 

“Yeah, like migrating animals in a new habitat.” Scamp joked with a laugh.

 

“Ha ha ha ha!” Tramp laughed in return. “That’s one way of putting it, son. Good one.”

 

Just as they both finished laughing, Scamp’s iPad beeped the common Apple xylophone tone: An email had just been received.

“I just got an email, pop. Hold on.” Scamp said quickly and he closed the rugby website that they were looking at and opened his hotmail account in its place. The email was a reply from the Amity Regional Rugby Club:

 

“Thank you for recent application with us. Pre-season training will start in two weeks on February 4 and you and your father are welcome to come down and train with us. Your skills and talent to show throughout the pre-season will determine whether you will be eligible to play for the team.

 

We are looking forward to your involvement and participation with our club and we will see you in two weeks.

 

Regards,

 

Vince,

Amity RRC General Manager.”

 

Scamp got really excited as he read this. Tramp was likewise delighted.

 

“Yeah, dad! We got accepted!” Scamp exclaimed.

 

“Awesome, my boy!” Tramp responded. “I knew that we were going to get in. I can’t wait to get started.”

 

“It is just two weeks away, dad. There will be a bit of a wait, but I think that this will give us some time to practice and get in shape; so it is a good thing.”

 

“Yeah, first impressions are very important.” Tramp added. “If the coaches witness that we have been working hard on our build up to the game, we might get into the team earlier than we thought.”

 

“Maybe, but we can only wait and hope as they watch us in the pre-season.”

 

“True. Hey, by the way, I hope Mooch, Scratchy and Sparky got in as well.”

 

“I hope so too. Let’s go and see them. They would have gotten the replying email at the same time we did.”

 

“You’re probably right, Whirlwind. Let’s go.”

And with that they both left through the pet flap and went to see their friends, the Ex-Junkyard Dogs; or Ex-JD’s.

 

Meanwhile, Angel was busy eating her afternoon meal with her adopted sisters and mother in the kitchen. She kept thinking about Scamp and how much hard work he was putting into his passion.

 

“Hey, Angel.” Collette spoke, noticing Angel drifting off into her thoughts. “What are you thinking about?”

 

“I was thinking about how committed and obsessed your dad and Scamp are with this game of rugby. They have been doing their study of the game flat out for two days and they have barely rested. Not to mention busting their backs out with their new fitness program.”

 

“Jeez, it must be a really tough sport to play if they are over-working the way they have been.” Annette added.

 

“It could also be extremely dangerous to play.” Danielle also put in.

 

“It is.” Angel continued. “I have been watching it a bit and I never thought that anything could get more physical than boxing or wrestling. But when you watch it, it gets really exciting. So I think Scamp and your dad are really into it for the action.”

 

“Oh, believe me, I know how much Tramp loves the action.” Lady said with a smile. “He had enough of it on the streets for ages before we met. I think that he misses it so much that he wants to get back into the rhythm. He gave it up for good reason, but he still loved doing what he did best. I was not willing to take that away from him, but it seemed that we could not be together if I let him keep it.”

 

“I understand that.” Angel said. “And I have to say that I miss the streets too, but this life is what I always wanted.”

 

“You chose to play life the safe way, Angel.” Lady responded. “I know that Tramp was the Best-There-Ever-Was, but to me you were the Most-Sensible-There-Ever-Was. You never let the obnoxious get to you and you looked out for your friends. You did the right thing by going in a straight line.”

 

“I don’t know how I did it, but the family connection must have helped me out.” Angel responded, at the same time flattered by her adopted mother’s words.  

 

“Believe me, it did.” Lady responded. “Just remember, Angel; your family, biological or adopted, will always be there to help you when you need it most. Whenever you are lost, unsure, or feeling like you want to blow out your

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