GLENDALE, Colorado –
Backed into a corner after a rare pool play loss to Air Force, the Army men’s rugby team stormed back to claim the 2025 Armed Forces Men’s Rugby Championship title with a 12-5 victory in Sunday’s final at Infinity Park.
Air Force looked dominant in the early rounds, handing Army its first Armed Forces loss since 2013 while rolling undefeated through pool play to secure the top seed. But Army regrouped, battled through the remainder of the round robin, and set up a third straight championship clash — the 10th between the two services since 2013.
Army struck first in the sixth minute when Specialist Derrick Anyange (Fort Bragg, N.C.) powered across the try line, sending the defending champions into halftime with a 7-0 advantage.
Air Force responded quickly after the break. First Lt. Benjamin Haapapuro (Schriever Space Force Base, Colo.) muscled his way through Army’s defense to cut the deficit to 7-5 and put momentum back in the Falcons’ corner.
But Army’s discipline and poise proved decisive. With the match hanging in the balance in the final minute, Sgt. Adam Castle (Fort Bragg, N.C.) capped a determined drive with a try that sealed the 12-5 win and yet another Armed Forces title for the Black and Gold.
Since the Armed Forces Championship shifted to the rugby sevens format in 2012, Army has now claimed 11 titles. Air Force, meanwhile, is still seeking its first sevens crown despite finishing runner-up 12 times.
The championship was once again hosted as part of the annual RugbyTown 7s Tournament, held August 22–24 at Infinity Park, which has featured the Armed Forces competition since its inception in 2012.
This year also marked the addition of a third-place consolation match.
The Marine Corps and Navy traded tries throughout the first half, with the Marines holding a slim 12-10 edge at the break. In the second half, the Navy turned the tables: after Lieut. Seth Carithers thwarted a Marine scoring drive, Lieut. Jackson Welch finished a counterattack with the winning try. Navy walked away with a 15-12 victory and third place honors.
At the conclusion the championship, the following individuals were presented with Armed Forces All-Tournament Team honors:
SPC Derrick Anyahge (Army) – Fort Bragg, N.C.
LT Kyle Sult (Navy) – NB San Diego, Calif.
1st Lt Eric Wills (USAF) – Tyndall Air Force Base, Fla.
SSG Moliki Mulitalo (Army) – Utah Army National Guard
SFC Mattie Tago (Army) –Fort Sill, Okla.
1stLt Sam Follansbee (USMC) – MCAS Miramar, Calif.
PO2 Joseph Griffin (USCG) – Coast Guard Station Boston, Mass.