gregolam

Definitely too small to play any of the forward positions, but I am very interested in playing this sport and might have found a local league. But I am just curious about what positions am I likely to be limited to, though from what I have looked into I sound like a possible good wing.

I am VERY interested in trying out for this league though, so any feedback on what position I might be good at would be great, that way I can train appropriately for the next season.

5'10" Lean 167-170 lbs, currently run 3-5 miles (6.5-7.5 minute miles)hard a few times a week plus alot of muscle endurance training. Back when I was still doing sports (HS and college) I was a very intense runner on the field, they called me crazy horse if that gives any insight into what kind of field player I am. I am a quick sprinter (excelled in the 100-400meters in track), and just like to be running after or with the ball. Intense fast running, always moving through or around things (preferably through). I have a Meso-slightly endomorph bodytype, so when I do regular strength training I can get to be quite solid and might get up to 175-178 lbs. A little crazy, strong for my size, and I like contact, meaning I enjoy getting rough and in general I prefer to run through things rather than around them. In football I was typically either one of the backs or a wide reciever.

From what I can tell I think I would be okay as either a Wing or a Center, but I am worried that my size will limit me since in rugby you seems to need to be bigger in general.

Leinster777

Haha, mate, you're not to small to play AT ALL. Granted you'll probably never play in the pack [forwards/props] you can most certainly play in the backs. Judging by your size/build and speed you'd probably be best suited on the wing or possibly in the centre. How's your kicking??

gregolam

Good, I kept hearing people talking about being 190-200lbs and above and I was getting worried. I love beating the hell out of myself out on the field and it's hard to find serious sports leagues to play around here that arent Pro level.

Kickings just fine, pretty accurate, very good leg strength, with above average flexibility. But my real skill is in running fast and hard, and if there is something in my way that just makes it more fun for me. I'm not vicious or anything it is just my natural inclination to run headlong into obstacles rather than around them.

So basically Im a very strong runner, who is not afraid of taking hits, who can also kick well if needed.

Leinster777

Well you'd definitely be suited on the wing or at outside centre then. Especially if you like to run in to people. Are there many teams where you are?

gregolam

Well I live in the US, so right off the bat there isn't as big of a Rugby base as I would like there to be. But I seem to be in luck, where I am there seems to be a bunch of clubs that are part of a pretty big league (at least big for over here). It's not pro but it seems to be just what I'm lookin for.

I've got a few months to train up before practice starts up again, so I wanted to get an idea of how to prepare for it. Since winge/center seems to be where I might end up anyway I am thinking of making my sprinting training a priority rather than trying to bulk up.

Thanks though, I kept watching pro games and then especially after reading up on some of the players history (Jonah Lomu), I was worried I couldn't excel unless I was much taller and heavier.

Leinster777

Yeah certainly speed will be very important, especially on the wing, but bulking up wouldn't be too bad either, of course not to the point that it affects your speed though. I'd recommend watching some of the current pro's in those positions and studying how they play, for centre there's only one man to watch, Brian O'Driscoll [seriously bias here] but look at wingers as well, southern hemisphere sides would be good to observe for their back lines.

gregolam

That's actually a really good idea, I definitely want to get to watching alot of games if I am going to be playing. They don't really show many (or any that I know of) on TV around here. Do you know if there is a website somewhere where they stream games online? Or am I just gonna have to suck it up and order a sports channel that shows it?

Leinster777

Dudeabides is the best man to ask about that. I'm pretty sure that if you go to myp2p.eu you can watch some games streamed live, but because most of them are on in Ireland, the UK and France [in the Norther Hemisphere anyway] they may be on pretty early for you. This weekend would be good to start, loads of challenge cup action and the mighty Heineken Cup too...

Angelica

Leinster already gave you the correct answer. You are not too small at all. Smaller guys are very useful to a team, in that they are usually the faster ones, and able to dotch other players more easily. Like Leinster said. You are perfect for a wing or center. I think you might even be suitable for a scrum half too. I have seen scrum halfs smaller than you before.

dudeabides

Yeah, he pm'd me and if anybody else wants to know how to watch rugby out of the cool locales send me a message too.