Rugby 101

[lomuamart]

It's ages since I played rugby, but I was brought up on the game - my father has a cap for Scotland.
Anyway Pete I was a full back, or wing. That meant I could run faster than the big people who were trying to kill me. Bearing that in mind:

1. Tackle. I was always taught to tackle around the ankles. As you grow up that's a bit difficult to accomplish when you've got a BIG person bearing down on you. Just take him down (fairly) without getting hurt. As a fullback, a tackle when an opponent has broken through the defence and bearing down on you, is the most scary moment in your life. "Just don't let the side down". Last line of defence etc. Feign left as they come to you, but go right, get them around the middle and go down with them or else you're likely to have a discolated shoulder. He he. Or chiped teeth.

2. The kick. Frightening. Again the last last line of defence. I assure you it takes a year for the ball to get to you " keep your eyes on it etc". You catch it at the same time as you're crunched, but you hold on for dear life and hope that your mates are around you before you get ripped to bits by
the opposition. Just do your best.

3. Kicking. A full back should have a good "boot". When necessary he should be able to rescue his side from their own line and also be able kick "tactically".

Also a full back is expected to cover his line from right to left. So, it's not an easy position to play. I used to enjoy it as long as I had a good defensive threequarters in front of me. If not, I got battered.

Ces't la vie. "Put me on the left wing today today, coach. Maybe a wingforward. Please not fullback". "No, you're playing fullback".

I gave the game up before I died. I'd have had my head ripped off, or seriously hurt.

Does that make sense, a bit Pete? Some of my team went on to play to county level. That's good. Apparantly some were getting noticed for England, whether at second centre (he should be protecting me) or even prop. Some got trials for England many years ago.

They were just too big, too hard and better than me all those years ago.

I used to love the game. You've got to be able to take your knocks etc. Some of my schoolfreind are still coaching junior level to almost Liecester level. Bit unfit now, but they understand the game.

Anyway, good to get that out of my brain. Sorry if I upset any rugby fans, but I am one. It's just do they understand the concept in Burma? I've got to go there tomorrow.
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[prcscct]

I mentioned that this won't be easy...LOL. I'll have you guys cursing at me in a day or two. However, the exercise may be worthwhile for all those readers unfamiliar.

1) Somewhere back a few posts a 'ball punch' was mentioned. Can in both league and union the man who punched the ball forward also catch the ball? Isn't a punch the same thing as a forward pass to another team member? The game could move along rapidly if men ran ahead for the express purpose of catching a punch or kick?

I realize that most 'passes' are what I would call a 'lateral', a pass to the side and further back than the man doing the pass.

2) This one may be tough. Is there a way to do a comparison between the positions on a football(soccer) team and a rugby team concerning responsibilities. ie, halfback, striker, fullback etc.

Perhaps easier to compare it to an NFL team with lineman, receivers, backfield on offense, and lineman, line backers and safeties on defense? Pete

[lomuamart]

Don't be daft Pete.
Initially, you're talking about Aussie rules.
In the next breath you're talking about rugby, Aussie rules and the NFL.
In rugby, the pass from hand-to-hand has to pass backwards. A kick can go forwards.
In NFL(correct me if I'm wrong) but the ball is thrown forward? Caught. Done. Another first down. Then another 15 minutes of advertisements and hotdogs and everyone gets back to their seat for the next play.
This dosn't happen in rugby. We're an impatient lot that side of the Atlantic and the game moves on.
Whether the play results in a turnover in rugby league, or a ruck in rugby union dosn't matter. The play goes on - and given the fitness of the players these days, very quickly.
Admittedly, we dont stop to put "offensive/defensinve" on and have a snack between plays.
That isn't the point of rugby - whether league or union. It's non-stop action from beginning to end.
PS. I'm not sure about Aussie Rules, but I'm fairly sure I'm not far out there either.
No respite for the players. A quick talking to, an orange and get back on the pitch and play.
For me, that's always been about fitness.
I'm not having a go at anyone, but when games are stopped and teams can be changed around completely, offence and defence, and it takes forever to make the transition (wait for the advertisements), it's such a precision game.
The great game of rugby relies on relentless effort, no advertisement breaks, and full on.
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[prcscct]

[prcscct]

Last one for today.

It's obvious (at least to me) that offense players cannot throw blocks or in anyway block defenders away from the man running with the ball. It seems that the ball handler has to face the gauntlet all alone.

What about what I would call a "pick", that is one or more defenders with their backs or sides to the defense and not aggressively blocking, but impeding access to the ball handler? Pete

[lomuamart]

Absolutely, Pete.
"Blocking" a person without the ball is a sending off offence. "Get the man with the ball". Simple as that.
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"I spent a lot of my money on booze, birds and fast cars - the rest I just squandered". George Best.

[lomuamart]

[prcscct]

Thanks Lomu. Pete

[Jaime]

[caller]

Pete,

Just accept the old maxim that rugby of whatever code is a game played by men with odd shaped balls!

It explains it as well as anything!!
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I know nothing

[sargeant]

Well i reckon someone was watching Australian Rules Football League AFL

Which is played on a circular pitch is football and uses a ball the same shape as a rugby ball and 4 goalposts at each end
they also have very important language changes in the commenttary which MEN ie HETERO must be mindfull of

For instance {hes just fumbled in the back pocket and scored a behind } thats Ausies for you aint it ozuncle you explain it i am
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A Greatfull Guest of Thailand

[Big Boy]

sargeant wrote:

[ozuncle]

Looks like you know your AFL Sarge!
But were not all like that.

We are however trying to recruit Gaybob .
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You only live once.

[sargeant]

Oz i actually do quite enjoy aussie rules its taken a while to get most of the rules and there are still some that bemuse me to say the least
The first time i heard the fumble in the back pocket i cracked up and then he said and hes scored a behind that was me done for i cried for hours
It doesnt look a hard mans game but apparrently there are more injurys in afl than rugby league or rugby union
Do you reckon gaybob could handle it
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A Greatfull Guest of Thailand

[Wanderlust]

I'm sure he'd like the kit they wear