It was collegiate, so wouldn't it be league? The university is a small, ivy-league type (fictional but based on an American northeastern one).
Thank : - )
Most likely Rugby Union, actually. Rugby League and Rugby Union are two completely different games. Rugby League hardly has a footprint in the USA yet, so it's very unlikely to be that.
Was your player a forward or a back? As far as coaching goes, if he was a forward it would be an easier transition to become a forwards coach. Or he could help coaching the players who specifically play in the position he used to. Each position (especially in the forward pack, but also in the backs) in Rugby Union is very specialized. A hooker (and yes, that is the correct term
) plays a very different role to a loose forward or a lock or a prop.
If he played in the backs, which is probably more likely given your description (backs score the majority of the points, and are generally seen as the star players--more style and flash to a back than a forward, usually) he could assist as a backs coach or, again, help with the players who are playing in the position he occupied.
Typically, the players with the most star power are first-fives, fullbacks and wingers.
First-fives need to control the game tactically and react to situations intuitively. They direct their backline and take care of a lot of the tactical kicking. If you want to research two current first-fives who are both regarded highly, but are very different players, i would suggest researching Dan Carter (All Blacks) and Jonny Wilkinson (England).
Fullbacks are the last line of defense. They need to patrol their half of the field well, situation themselves and their wingers in the best positions to receive opposition kicks and then need to make the right decisions on counter-attack (to kick or run--if run, to go alone, or use the wingers). They can also inject themselves into a backline move to devastating effect. One of the best fullbacks in my recent memory was Christian Cullen (All Blacks).
Wingers are try-scoring machines, who need to be able to finish off moves, and usually have pace as well as exceptional attacking flair. Think Jonah Lomu (All Blacks), probably the most potent attacking winger the game has seen. What he lacked in defensive ability he made up for by being able to run over the top of people. Currently, one of the most highly regarded wingers in the world is Bryan Habana (South Africa) who is amazingly fast and has a nose for intercepts.
If you can, i would suggest finding international games to watch. Currently South Africa, New Zealand (All Blacks) and Australia are touring the Northern Hemisphere, so if you could somehow ferret out any of those games you'd be in for a treat.
The tricky thing about Rugby Union (playing it, and consequently writing it) is that the laws of the game are very complex and seem to be constantly changing.
Basic point scoring is thus:
5 for a try.
2 for a try conversion.
3 for a penalty goal.
3 for a drop goal.
Here's another link which, while not detailed, has a useful overview of the game and some of the terminology:
http://www.activenewzealand.com/rugby-rules.php
Sure would be great to write what I already know, if my right brain would accept that idea -!
