Newbie looking for advice on starting to play...

[cameron_15]

Hey guys,

I'm looking to start playing rugby union next season in Australia (season starting in April) and have a bunch of questions for you guys. I've been a fan of rugby for many years, but my understanding of the game is quite limited due to it's lack of popularity here in Melbourne. I've never played a proper match before and have no real Idea of where I should be trying to play and what I should expect.

To start with, I'm 21, just over 6 foot tall, 105kg's at present, decently fit and have a strong left foot from years of aussie rules football. At the moment my build (Reasonably stocky, broad shoulders, powerful) would suggest I should play in the front row? Although I know how to kick a ball and marking is not an issue at all, as again, I've played aussie rules football for a number of years, so maybe playing as a back wouldn't be so bad either? Also, are left footers a valuable commodity in this game?

Training doesn't start for another 6 weeks, so I'm looking for any advice for what I should be doing to prepare myself during this time? I plan to drop about 10kg's over summer for a few endurance mountain bike races and will be getting back into the gym weight training 3 times per week starting next week, as I currently have a fractured scaphoid (7.5 weeks into the healing process).

I'm not really sure where I'm going with this, but any advice for a first timer starting late would be appreciated. I'm sure I'll have many more questions later.

Cheers, Cameron

 

[Kapa O Pango]

Sound like you could be a inside centre/outside centre either one of those is good.


The two centres in a team tend to specialise

• one as the inside centre closer to the fly-half

• one as the outside centre, further from the fly-half - 'outside' the inside centre

You run at the opposition, making breaks if possible or pass the ball quickly to faster outside players if warranted.
The stronger you are in these areas the better

• Speed and good acceleration

• Vision for seeing all the options and a good rugby brain for knowing what those options are

• Agility and elusiveness

Extra

• Ability to handle the ball well under pressure

• Kicking ability, grubber kicks and chip kicks

• Strength and bulk for barging through the opposition and playing a strong part when you are defending

Some guys to watch like Jean De Villiers, Wesley Fofana, Jamie Roberts, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Jon Davies.

 

[SixteenSixtySix]

Sound like you could be a inside centre/outside centre either one of those is good.


The two centres in a team tend to specialise

• one as the inside centre closer to the fly-half

• one as the outside centre, further from the fly-half - 'outside' the inside centre

You run at the opposition, making breaks if possible or pass the ball quickly to faster outside players if warranted.
The stronger you are in these areas the better

• Speed and good acceleration

• Vision for seeing all the options and a good rugby brain for knowing what those options are

• Agility and elusiveness

Extra

• Ability to handle the ball well under pressure

• Kicking ability, grubber kicks and chip kicks

• Strength and bulk for barging through the opposition and playing a strong part when you are defending

Some guys to watch like Jean De Villiers, Wesley Fofana, Jamie Roberts, Ma'a Nonu, Conrad Smith, Jon Davies.

He does sound like a back row too. Or is it that my country's physical standard is really that low?

 

[Rich Taff]

A lot depends on your stamina/speed.

I'd go with previous comments and say take a look at centre, or maybe flanker, depending on your speed and stamina. 105kg is damn big for 6' though, and you may find yourself having to lose a lot of weight before you're able to adjust.

Definitely check several teams, and see what the coaching setup is like.
Just be sure that wherever you go, the coach doesn't automatically look at your size and plonk you in the front row. 21 is comparatively late to start learning 'the dark arts' of front row play, and you'll be up against people your size and bigger, who've been playing the position for many years, so could find yourself in all sorts of trouble (and real risk of injury).

Hope you enjoy it, whatever you decide.

 

[HemiBro]

He does sound like a back row too. Or is it that my country's physical standard is really that low?

Yeah i agree. Sounds like a good size for a flanker or 8. Could also be ideal as a midfielder depending on ball skills, speed and understanding of the game / vision.

Teammates should be able to help you getting a hang of things. And as for preparing yourself, if you are already reasonably fit you should be fine, you will find the first few games will be pretty harsh on your body but once you have some decent match fitness under the belt it will get easier.

 

[cameron_15]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, I guess I'll have to get out to a few clubs and see what they think I'd be suited for and try out a few positions. At the moment there's two clubs I'm considering playing for. One is my universities club, with 3 senior teams in 3 different divisions, and the other is my local club, with 2 senior teams.

I'd like to play for my university as I'll be on campus full time, making it convenient for training etc, the club has better resources and twice as many players too. also uni clubs are great socially as well. The only downside is they don't start training until late January, where as Pre-season training at my local club starts next Thursday... I think I could really benefit from those extra 6 weeks training with a club as I figure out how to play this game.

My weight has ballooned out a bit in the past couple of months as I fractured my scaphoid in october and have been in a full arm and thumb cast since and haven't been able to ride bikes or lift weights for 8 weeks. If all goes well this cast will be coming off in a weeks time, enabling me to start training again. I'm usually under 100kg's, but would like to get that down to about 90 by the time the season roles around in 4 months time.

 

[SixteenSixtySix]

Thanks for the advice so far guys, I guess I'll have to get out to a few clubs and see what they think I'd be suited for and try out a few positions. At the moment there's two clubs I'm considering playing for. One is my universities club, with 3 senior teams in 3 different divisions, and the other is my local club, with 2 senior teams.

I'd like to play for my university as I'll be on campus full time, making it convenient for training etc, the club has better resources and twice as many players too. also uni clubs are great socially as well. The only downside is they don't start training until late January, where as Pre-season training at my local club starts next Thursday... I think I could really benefit from those extra 6 weeks training with a club as I figure out how to play this game.

My weight has ballooned out a bit in the past couple of months as I fractured my scaphoid in october and have been in a full arm and thumb cast since and haven't been able to ride bikes or lift weights for 8 weeks. If all goes well this cast will be coming off in a weeks time, enabling me to start training again. I'm usually under 100kg's, but would like to get that down to about 90 by the time the season roles around in 4 months time.

Yea I agree with what you said. But do know that back rows especially flankers, and centers need to be good at tackling, so having that extra 10kg can considerably help

 

[HemiBro]

You will probably lose that 10kg or more by seasons end anyway. As long as you have a reasonable fitness level to start with, the pre season should get you into shape ready for the season.

 

[cameron_15]

Update time:

Decided to play for my university and have spent the past 3 months with them for pre-season training. I spent that time training with the forwards as a prop, learning to lift and over the past couple of weeks, scrum. I've gotten heaps fitter, dropped a few kilo's and have been back in the gym for those 3 months getting stronger.

Last week, ahead of the first round of the season, I was switched to the second row to make my transition to the game a bit easier. I hung back with the back's at lineout's and one of the flankers and the number 8 took the lifting/jumping role, so we were ok on that front.

In the end, we got smashed by about 10 tries to 1 by a side that outsized us at every position. While it sucked that we lost, it gave me plenty of opportunities to make some good tackles and go on a few runs against a strong opposition. On one occasion I made a run from the 10 meter line and came up about a foot short of scoring a try, all I had to do was extend my arms over the try line, but alas, one of there forwards came down on top of me and my arms got pinned under my chest. We did score a try on the very next play though.

I will admit to leaking a few tries though. We made a tackle about a meter from the try line in defense, with me situated right at the back of the ruck making sure they didn't drive over. After the tackle had been made I switched off, waiting for the ball to be played either side of the ruck. At this point, their scrum half simply picked up the ball and dived, placing the ball right at my feet for a try... oops. On the other occasion the opposition were awarded a penalty for a knock on or something, I was wandering back to our defensive line when they quickly played on and ran straight down the wing. This one was a little less my fault, but had I gotten onside sooner I may have been able to help out the backs in preventing the try.

Anyway, it was heaps of fun and I'm pleased with how I handled myself in my first ever game. I did a few good things, and a few bad things, but gave it everything all day. But hey, I'm not gonna fall asleep at the back of a ruck again! Also, Everything hurts today, from my ears to my big toes, everything is bruised, cut or sore.

I'm not sure what the plan for me is for the rest of the season. I might transition back to the front row on occasion, but I'm kind of hoping to work on my fitness and maybe move to blindside flanker or maybe even number 8. I'm assuming I won't be staying in the second row for long, as the position is usually for taller people... much taller people. I'm also hoping to move up a grade somewhere down the line once I get more match experience under my belt.



In short, this game is awesome... I don't want to be a back.

 

[InsaneAsylum]

Hey I'm from Melbourne mate, I've never played but I know a few blokes who have played VRU. I go down to Footscray for a look every now and then.

I presume you are playing for Melb uni as I don't believe there's any other unis participating in VRU. what grade are they playing you in?