Take up rugby - too late?

gimpotronitus

Hi, can someone advise me if it is too late to take up rugby. Turning 30 this year and have always put it off but have always wanted to play. Have played GAA and soccer in the past and am fit enough. Clontarf is the closest team to me but have never played. If I apply to the club will I just be laughed at? My only worry is that I wont be "rugby smart" and so will end up sticking my head where it shouldn't be and break my neck or something. Any views on this (and please be brutally honest!) ? Thanks a lot.

logic1

You'll be grand, plenty players 30+.

Have a word with Trojan on this board he can advise you re: clontarf.

.logic.

[Jackass]

Not at all, you'll be fine. The game is played at every level around Dublin, at big clubs (such as Clontarf) they have teams from top national sides (AIB leauge) to people who play/train once a week, and just have a laugh playing, and go for pints. You'll have no problems. Also, being fit has already edged you up closer on the scale to elite than many of the lower sides, as we tend to be beer drinking, cigar smoking, lazy players, who have a smoke at half time (not really, but you get the idea! ). As for being rugby smart, this is a serious issue, that you must answer questions on before you are allowed onto the pitch at any club. For example: A 20 stone prop is falling backwards towards your head do you A. cover your head and attempt to move out of the way? B. Close your eyes, and play dead C. Enjoy it (the correct answer was A) But no, your commen sense will prevail, you'll know if you shouldn't be some where, or if your about to be hurt...the only serious warning to take on board is to make sure you ask the coaches to give you the basics at a couple of tarining sessions (as im sure they do anyway) and make sure the coaches know you havn't played before. The first thing they should do is show you how to tackle properly, which is probably the most dangerous part of the game, but nothing to worry about, once it's explained to you.
Good luck

gimpotronitus

ha ha...funny example but that is exactly what I am talking about...presumably at all levels players wear mouthguards and headgear? What about the upper body padding? Some of the knocks must be severe e.g. the worst I got in GAA was a pretty bad rib fracture. When I watch rugby, it seems a miracle sometimes that those guys can get up after some of those knocks and walk away. Though it probably looks worse than it actually is.

Trojan

The best way to start is simply to turn up at training. Ring whichever club and ask what time their lowest (generally 3rds+) team is training, and ask for the name of the coach. When you get to the club that evening look for that person on the training pitch.

The other thing that may be useful to you, especially now we're getting to end of season, is that many clubs incl Clontarf play Tip rugby during the summer. It's almost non-contact rugby and will get you doing some of the basics and introduce you to people. This won't be starting for another couple of months but is worth thinking about.

Trojan

Btw, what height & weight are you?

gimpotronitus

5'11", 13.25 stone. Too light?

daveirl

This post has been deleted.

spanner

kevin maggs was 18 before he picked up a rugby ball

kenmc

gimpotronitus wrote:

presumably at all levels players wear mouthguards and headgear? What about the upper body padding? Some of the knocks must be severe e.g. the worst I got in GAA was a pretty bad rib fracture. When I watch rugby, it seems a miracle sometimes that those guys can get up after some of those knocks and walk away. Though it probably looks worse than it actually is.

Personally I wouldn't go next nor near a rugby pitch - training even - w/out a gumshield. Have always worn shinguards cos I'm a hooker. Used wear a cup/box for a while after getting a kick in the nads but have not bothered recently.Started wearing shoulder pads about 3 years ago after the physio said he wasn't gonna fix me up again if I didn't start wearing them (front row - kinda have to, to be honest!). Wouldn't wear a scrum cap if you paid me. I have especially no idea why backs wear them either. I usually tape my ears back is about all the headwear, but even recently have started not bothering. Ocasionally wear knee braces if they're acting up, and ankle brace on ankles if they're sore too.... robocop in other words
EDIT: And yeah generally it looks worse than it is.The ones that hurt most are the unexpected ones. If you know you are about to get hit you go into the hit as well, your body goes into attack mode and usually all is good. When you get hit from behind unexpectedly you go down like a sack of potatoes and it's not pretty. Hence why my shoulder is now seperated (Grade 2 AC joint seperation - out for rest of season )

Steffano2002

It's never too late too start!

I started 3 years ago at the tender age of 21... But one of my best friends started last year at the age of 30 and I have another very good friend who is 30+ also! Funny you worry about ages; a couple of weeks ago we played Newbridge (friendly) and a 70+ year old came on the pitch for the last 10 minutes! It was crazy!

I don't wear any protection except for a gum shield. I'm a prop/3rd row and I don't feel the need to wear shin guards or shoulder pads...
Mind you on sunday I got knocked out (during a friendly vs Athboy, Meath) for about 15 minutes after tackling an opposing player so maybe I should start thinking about wearing a scrum cap! Apparently when I tackled him, his knee hit my head and I was knocked out cold (I don't remember a thing). I went to the Mater and they could see a skull fracture on the X-ray so I got a head scan. There was indeed a fracture but they said it was an old one ( ) so they were happy to let me go...

Rugby can be dangerous but then again, so is driving a car, playing GAA or even walking down the street! If you've watched rugby on TV, you'll know what not to do (coming in from the side, not rolling away, not obeying the offside rules...). If you are somewhere you are not supposed to be, the opposing team will make sure to let you know

You have to be pretty unlucky to get injured to be honest...

I say go for it! Enjoy it! Do it as long as you have the lungs and the legs!

Crash

spanner wrote:

kevin maggs was 18 before he picked up a rugby ball

So very tempted to say something like "and it shows :P"