Ali Munroe, 18-years-old, is an inside center for the Cobequid Cougars Rugby team in Australia and is a rugger through and through. She has been playing ever since she was old enough to be in the game. In the last game before their Division I finals, Ali helped set up a comeback in the last 20-minuets on the game; they were down 12-0. She set a team mate up for the first try putting them 12-6, and then scored the winning try herself with only four minutes to go.
“Before the game we tried to get everyone pumped up but the first half wasn’t our greatest,” Ali said. “So we just came back out and I put my shoulder down and ran. I should have done it all game.”
Ali has a special combination of size, speed and a love of hard physical play that can put her team on her shoulders and carry it. She is a scary complete package for opponents. It is something that has brought the Cougars this far and will be a huge part of how for they go in the finals.
“She intimidates a lot of other teams,” said Cougars coach John MacKenzie. “There’s not many people who will try to step in and hit her and bring her down.”