Hayden Knight, a senior in communication, is a scrumhalf on the N.C. State men’s club rugby team, which recently finished its fall season.

Knight, a native of Charlotte, has played for the Wolfpack since his freshman year, and he has battled numerous injuries throughout his four years. At 5-foot-3 and 120 pounds, Knight is the captain of State’s B-side team.

Technician: How did you first get into playing rugby?

Knight: In high school, I wrestled and played soccer. I’ve always been a little undersized, especially for a sport like football, and there wasn’t really a place for me on the field. That’s the beauty of rugby; it matches the violence and physicality of wrestling with the cardio of soccer. It’s a team-based game with a position for me on the field. I came out to a practice one day and I’ve always played scrumhalf, which is typically the smallest man on the field. It’s sort of like being the quarterback where you’re telling all your teammates what to do and where to be.

Q: You’ve had to deal with a lot of injuries during your career. Describe that.

A: I’ve broken my nose, I’ve torn my labrum, I’ve sprained my ankle a couple times and I’ve had a few hyperextended fingers. I actually broke my foot when I played soccer, so I’ve been more seriously injured in that sport than rugby, which sounds kind of funny because all you really wear in rugby is a mouth guard.

Q: Is it difficult being injured and watching your teammates on the field?

A: Absolutely. It’s the worst when you feel like you could be doing something for your team but have to take a back seat. But in turn, the best thing you can do for your team while injured is to just get better.

Q: Describe a favorite memory you’ve had in your career.

A: My first try, basically the rugby equivalent of a touchdown, was in the last seconds of a match against William & Mary my freshman year. The sir, or referee, signaled that it was the last motion. I was playing out at the wing, and we were very close to their try zone. Eventually, the ball got passed down the line to me, and I went in with everything I had. All of our big forwards pushed me forward, and I went in. The sir blew the whistle, and I had scored the winning try.

Q: What is the chemistry between you and your teammates on and off the field?

A: Those guys are like my brothers. It’s both a sports team and a brotherhood. I believe that the more intense and physical the sport is, the more you bond as teammates. I’d also be curious to know what other club sports on campus have matching tattoos. It takes a special type of person to play rugby.

Q: State rugby has had a lot of success in recent years. Do you feel that the team is solidly making a name for itself on campus?

A: I feel like we’ve built a lot. We lost a lot of people after last season to graduation, but we’ve had a lot of great new players come in. That’s where I’m at as a senior; I’m looking to pass the torch on to a new generation of ruggers. Hopefully, they can take this torch further than I have.

Q: What piece of advice would you give a new player?

A: Tackle low. Bad things happen when you try to tackle high. Also, have fun with it. That’s the main reason I play: to have a good time.