Rugby

[FiddySicks]

So the college I'm going to is starting up a rugby team (technically its a "Club", but are trying to obtain varsity status ASAP) and after talking to the coach a bit I've decided to play. Rugby (Along with Lacrosse) is one sport that I have never played but have always wanted to. I tried briefly in high school but due to the long commute for practices it never really got off the ground. So basically, I need some help. Not only have I never played Rugby before, I really don't know anything about the sport. From what I've heard it's somewhat of a combination of Soccer and contact Football, which I've both played and excelled at. Now I'm not really looking for a rule explanation, I figure I'll get that soon enough, but I'm more looking for those of you out there who have played who can share your experiences, best matches, ect ect, and help me understand a bit better what to expect. Any help would be appreciated.

[Drew22]

I play with my friends on Fridays after school, and its really fun.

You just got to be okay with getting a little close to other guys, but it's not that big of a deal. I speak of this because some of the kids that I play with don't like getting close and grabbing some thigh.

[gueman]

Well I played for many years. Up until the late 90's, my shoulders are shot. What is your body type? If you have more of a soccer build you will be a back. If you have a little more cushin' for the pushin' you will be in the pack. Backs move the ball, pack gets control of the ball and gets it to the backs. ( more or less) It will be a lot of running...with some jogging. And if you are in the pack a lot if "wrestling" during the scrums, rucks and mauls. As for the tackling...it is not like football tackling. You are not trying to kill the guy, just get him to make a bad pass, or give up the ball. That is the hardest part for US players to transition too. Also it used to be there were no substitutions, if some one got hurt, well you played a man down. But that has changed. But it is a lot of running. The real important part about rugby is the camaraderie. After every game you BOTH party. What happens on the pitch stays there. The wives and girlfriends though carry the grudges...lol. I got into a hell of a fistfight one game, but we became great friends later and even toured the UK together. But his wife was always bringing up that fight.

There will be a learning curve as well. Well there was for me, I came from a football background. I think if you did soccer and lacrosse you might get it easier.

Most importantly HAVE FUN! Oh and you might want to work on your singing voice.

[Sguse1]

I'm currently on my 5th year of rugby. It has come quite naturally to me because I played football all of my life. I wasn't always the best physique on the football field but i had a knack for knowing the ins and outs of the game. In rugby you have to anticipate more than any other sport and a knowledge of how to attack your opponent is essential. You have to look for any opportunity you can in rugby. When there is a penalty and your opponent is tired and lingering around the ball you need to quickly look to get the ball and force them into another penalty. Its the little things you can do that make up for any part of your game that isnt up to par. I would suggest watching as many matches as you can and look at what the pros are doing to get the upper hand. The only way to play rugby is to know rugby. This spring actually my university just picked up the US national guard, Kooga, and USA rugby as sponsors and we are getting full kits and practice equipment.

[kewp80]

JW, are you going to be playing union or league rules?

[friarcanuck]

JW, are you going to be playing union or league rules?

As a Canuck, I'd be surprised if there was Rugby League in North America. Mostly cause high school and University all play Union.

[heernumurr]

I played rugby union for about 7 years for a pretty successful school team in Northern Ireland. Rugby is the main boys sport for Northern Irish grammar schools, and its considered to be of a better level of competition than most soccer playing schools. Our team got to play at Ravenhill - the home of Ulster rugby, in the final of the Medallion Plate competition, and i i also had trials for the Ulster schoolboys side. Then i got fat and started smoking, and that was the end of that!

Playing wise, its easily the most fun and rewarding sport i've played. Everyone is expected to play hard and be dedicated, and the sense of teamwork is ten times what i've experienced in other sports. You really have to work together, and your team will probably become great friends. You'll get the crap beat out of you on a weekly basis, but get up and head straight back in to get the crap beat out of you all over again!

Check out some stuff online, the Six Nations is being played at the minute, and i reckon its THE best example of rugby union.

[BB61]

JW, are you going to be playing union or league rules?

As a Canuck, I'd be surprised if there was Rugby League in North America. Mostly cause high school and University all play Union.

www.amnrl.com

It's small, it's fledgling, and it's mostly East Coast. But it's something.

The US RL team actually gave the Australian Pros a run for their money in 2004, when they led 24-6 at halftime only to lose 36-24. It was a great game, though.

ETA -- Dan, if you're not sure which is which, Union is 15-man and League is 13-man. There are a lot of other differences, but that's the main one.

[FiddySicks]

Well, we just had the first practice last night and I gotta say I'm beat, but so far I love it!!! A few of us have played before but the majority of the team haven't so thats a big benefit. Its a TON of running, and at times it was kind of confusing, but I'll get the hang of it soon enough.

[gueman]

Well it will be confusing until the first game you play or watch. I donno how big your squad is but if you don't have 2 or 3 full sides you might find yourself playing 2 games on a Saturday, especially if you are new. Oh, and Sunday you will feel like you were hit by a truck. And if you partied hard after the game you will be sore and hungover. But it will be fun, and the memories and friendship will last a life time. Remember...Wounds Heal, Chicks Dig Scars, But Glory Lasts Forever!

[FiddySicks]

Well it will be confusing until the first game you play or watch. I donno how big your squad is but if you don't have 2 or 3 full sides you might find yourself playing 2 games on a Saturday, especially if you are new. Oh, and Sunday you will feel like you were hit by a truck. And if you partied hard after the game you will be sore and hungover. But it will be fun, and the memories and friendship will last a life time. Remember...Wounds Heal, Chicks Dig Scars, But Glory Lasts Forever!

At this point our squad is pretty big. We have about 30 to 35 guys out for the team, and a whole bunch more have shown interest.

[Drew22]

Well it will be confusing until the first game you play or watch. I donno how big your squad is but if you don't have 2 or 3 full sides you might find yourself playing 2 games on a Saturday, especially if you are new. Oh, and Sunday you will feel like you were hit by a truck. And if you partied hard after the game you will be sore and hungover. But it will be fun, and the memories and friendship will last a life time. Remember...Wounds Heal, Chicks Dig Scars, But Glory Lasts Forever!

At this point our squad is pretty big. We have about 30 to 35 guys out for the team, and a whole bunch more have shown interest.

That's good though. You can do full 15 v. 15 scrimmages.

[jr79]

Just make sure you play in the forwards and avoid the backs' bathroom in case you slip on some hair gel or lotion.

[Spearhead]

I played Rugby at West Texas State and for several years afterward. You are fortunate to have so much participation.

Get the book Rugby For Dummies (not that you are a dummy) and bone up on the game, the rules and the strategy.

[Alphabet Man]

I'd like to try rugby one day. But in my area, there full of Moaris.

[FiddySicks]

So I just wanted to update you all on the status of how far things are going. So far it's great!! Were an extremely young team and the majority of us still have no idea what were doing (Including me), but were catching on and the game is a blast to play. We just found out recently our schedule, and I have to say it's truly stunning. Our coach used to play for a club called the London Wasps and apparently has one helluva connection throughout the sport. Our first game is Saturday, March 29th vs Sacramento State, and it only gets more ridiculous form there on. While the rest of the schedule is tentative, heres a list of the teams were scheduled to play at some point in the semester (BTW my school is called Sierra College).

Sacramento State

U of Nevada Reno

U of the Pacific

Cal Berkeley B Squad

American River College

Sac City College

So I really don't know much about any of these school's rugby teams, but considering four of the six opponents we face are major universities, I have a feeling that it may not be too pretty. But I guess it won't be the first time i've been on a team that gets hammered week in and week out.

[BB61]

The Wasps are one of two pro RU teams in London, the other being the London Irish.

I think just about every major and minor school has a rugby team in some form, and that's pretty much the extent of the way people know the sport here. The only way you guys can get any better is with experience, so getting hammered may not be a bad thing.

Good luck this year, I hope it's a rewarding experience.

[fiasco!]

I'd like to try rugby one day. But in my area, there full of Moaris.

Do the Māori not allow you to play with them, or is it a personal preference for you not to play with that particular race?

[Moser316]

The Wasps are one of two pro RU teams in London, the other being the London Irish.

I think just about every major and minor school has a rugby team in some form, and that's pretty much the extent of the way people know the sport here. The only way you guys can get any better is with experience, so getting hammered may not be a bad thing.

Good luck this year, I hope it's a rewarding experience.

What about Harlequins (who actually play in London at Twickenham Stoop) and Saracens (who play at Vicarage Road in Watford)?

[Sguse1]

Wow...that schedule you play looks pretty difficult. Especially the cal game. They are a very very good rugby university. Their B side is probably better than most schools teams. Nevada also has a very good team as well. Best of luck to you this year!!