19 May 2025
Teamwork, fighting spirit and a sense of camaraderie were on display at the four-nation International Cadets Rugby Competition (ICRC) as the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) rugby team emerged victorious.
Australia, France and the United Kingdom fielded teams during the five-day competition hosted by the National Defense Academy of Japan in Yokosuka in April.
ADFA defeated both the UK’s Britannia Royal Naval College (31-15) and French Ecole Navale Rugby (20-3) to reach the final against Japan.
The tough game swung in favour of Japan early, with the home side up 14-7 at half-time. However, ADFA put their bodies on the line in the second half to turn the game around, winning 29-14.
Commandant of ADFA, Brigadier Troy Francis, said he was proud of the team.
“The team played three tough games of rugby in five days," Brigadier Francis said.
"Each team member’s display of agility, and physical and mental strength underpins ADFA’s purpose of developing officers who lead by example.”
Outside of academic and military commitments, ADFA has a wide range of sports and other clubs for trainee officers.
'Each team member’s display of agility, and physical and mental strength underpins ADFA’s purpose of developing officers who lead by example.'
Team coach, S7 training officer Major Nicholas McCarthy, said it was a wonderful opportunity to play rugby in an international environment.
“The team brought a level of passion to the game,” Major McCarthy said.
"They showed a real desire to win and were focused throughout the competition."
Officer Cadet Beau Lynch, a third-year mechanical engineering student, led the team.
“It was a great privilege and opportunity to lead ADFA rugby in the competition," Officer Cadet Lynch said.
"International events such as these help to develop a global perspective and appreciation of diverse cultures, while simultaneously sharing our own.”
Although optimistic about the team’s capability, Major McCarthy said there were a host of unknown factors to overcome.
“One of the biggest challenges the team faced was the artificial turf and they had to adjust tactics at each game, demonstrating their resilience, strategic mindset and adaptability,” Major McCarthy said.
“Physical training set our trainee officers up very well, especially playing in a competition with games close together.”
The scores were:
31-15: ADFA vs Britannia Royal Naval College
40-12: Japan National Defense Academy vs French Ecole Navale
20-3: ADFA vs French Ecole Navale
41-12: Japan National Defense Academy vs Britannia Royal Naval College
29-12: French Ecole Navale vs Britannia Royal Naval College
29-14: ADFA vs Japan National Defense Academy (final)
