any rugby players in here?

[JamesMC]

just wondering if there are any rugby players in here? and do u do anything specific to train for rugby?

i use to play rugby for a few years in highschool i want to get back into it in the fall and need to get back into shape

when i was younger i played flanker and 8man but then in my older years i was too slow for those positions and i played prop!

i really want to get back into playing flanker and suggestions on what i should be doing to get stronger and faster and just in better shape for rugby?

[F-4-L]

eat more (healthy foods of course) and do weights and plenty of cardio

[Natswoo]

I used to be a flanker, but now i've been moved to second row due being tall. I always did alot of weighted leg exercises and general lower body stuff simply to make you be able to push sombody off 1 on 1. Also being a flanker you're running most of the time, so cardiovascular fitness is also very useful.

[here4lose]

James
You played the position before so you know that physically you need :

1) endurance and speed, to get you to the break down.
2) You need good upper body strength / endurance to be effective when you get there.

Other than playing rugby the best way to prepare (in my oppinion)
is:
Fartlek style running - Walk, Jog, Sprint. Mix up the intervals. Keep it as intense as you can (might be worth investing in a heart rate monitor)
You need to play 80 mins so you train for 90.

Some form of circuit training with weights concentrating on your upper body. There are other people on this sight better qualified to give advice on this part of the training. If you ask the question in terms of a need for strength and endurance ie you need to be strong enough to rip a ball in the maul and drive a ruck. You need to be able to do this time after time. They will help.

Finally, I know you are thinking mostly about your ability to hack it physically, but get your ball handling skills up to scratch. Get mates, young relatives ect to throw / kick the ball to you.

Please let me know how you get on.

Cheers
Mark
mark.stacey67@ntlworld.com

[Kiwi guy]

I am afrom New Zealand where rugby is the national obsession (did anyone see the NZ All Blacks thrash Australia 30-13 on the weekend?) I have been playing rugby since I was 6 years old and I have moved from a winger to a centre to a flanker. As a flanker, it is important to be able to run up aggressively onto the ball and be effective when you get there. My optimal playing weight is approx. 94kg's and I am 5' 10" tall. I focus on shuttle runs, and moderate distance jogging. Do 5x5 squats for a balance of power and mass, and 5x5 deadlifts for back strength, as it is nice to be able to pick people up when they make the mistake of picking up the ball and getting in your way. Every meter you can carry them backwards before you dump them is a meter gained Military press, bench press and heavy shrugs to give you some padding for the collisions and farmers walks and static holds to enhance grip strength so you can hang on to the slippery little buggers! Good luck.

[pseudonym]

yeah well at least we've got the ashes ..... /

[yorkie85]

Not for much longer, you won't.

[pseudonym]

lookin' that way isn't it ... bloody hell a man leaves the country for a few months and look what they do to the place, shame shame shame

[nate]

I cant believe we lost to south africa last night. i knew it was going to happen. but i still hoped we would win.

/Sulks

[Kiwi guy]

Don't worry mate, the AB's will sort them out for you!

[Kiwi guy]

YAY 31-27 to NZ, great game!

[pseudonym]

As a wise man once said if a Kiwi beats a Bok when the Wallabies are out of contention does anybody care ??

I fully expect a callup for the next game.

[Kiwi guy]

I think he said if a man says something in a forest and a woman doesn't hear him, is he still wrong? :P

[yorkie85]

Err... you were saying something about the Ashes?

[NBS 4life]

Wood chops it really simulates picking up a scrum half and slamming him into the ground