(DUR photo)

The first Meat Pie has been awarded at the 2007 Down Under Rugby program. James Rehkoph, an athletic prop from LSU, crashed over for a try to open the DUR try-scoring account. James was presented with an Aussie Meat Pie to acknowledge his feat.

In Australia, a try is colloquially called a 'Meat Pie'. Rhyming slang is frequently used in Australian culture/language and the expression 'scoring a meat pie' is used to mean 'scoring a try'.

"It makes sense to award a Meat Pie to every Down Under Rugby athlete who scores a try on Australian soil,” Down Under Rugby general manager Grant Houldsworth tells ARN.

When asked about his try, James indulged that he had, "Run past three or four, kicked, regathered and scored in the corner."

James has two years left at LSU and wants to be one of the most dominating players at the University level when he returns. James is working hard to improve his; scrum technique, on-field awareness, decision making at the breakdown, and running lines.

"Jimmy could be a great hooker. He has great ball skills and footwork for a big guy. We just need to work on his line-out throwing," adds Down Under Rugby director of rugby Matt Bowman.

LSU should be a superior team this year with three players preparing Down Under; Chris Cook a strong running #8, Josh Chauvin a tough prop and James Rehkoph. LSU head coach Scott McLean should be quietly confident this fall season with such a strong pack.

James headed Down Under to develop his rugby skills and understanding of the game. He aspires to play for the Eagles, however, realizes that, "The next step is to dominate when I return to LSU and score some more Meat Pies."