mpgrewal

Its rugby season and I'm wondering how to break into this beautiful sport. Does anyone knows of a rugby group/club to can learn basic moves of rugby. Preferrably trains around weekends/nights in Melbourne

I'm a novice and have never seen a rugby ball in my life, so a place for the beginners

BadgeIsBack

Good on you MP!

Rugby is a great game and whilst it is not as athletic as the Australian rules football code it is a sublime game.

It's a shame that you are quartered out in Melbourne but there are clubs - try searching Victorian rugby football union.

I turned to a rugby union club in Endeavor hills and a rugby league club in Doveton on my arrival. Union is a better game despite it's critics 'kick and clap' but I prefer playing league - I'm a winger and was blessed with athleticism and acceleration so get more action.

Closer to the city there are other clubs, even university teams. I suggest you try these. Some of the Pacific Islanders on the suburban teams are big gentlemen.

Jump on amazon and get a 'Know the game' book or google the laws and gameplay.

The position you play is down to experience, existence of a rugby brain and body type. As a new boy, you won't be playing No 10 - 'fly half' , stand-off or 5/8 as they say down south. He's called the stand off because he stands off the scrum and is first receiver in first-phase play and decides whether to kick, pass or go himself...he also has an annoying tendency to be a good goal kicker and is therefore often the team's first choice to kick dropgoals, penalties and convert tries.

If you are new, fast, or rather, a good accelerator and blessed with good looks (like my good self) then you may be placed on the wing - you might get less exposure to the ball but you will look good scoring tries and girls will ask: 'are you the one who runs down the side?' with a certain realization and look in their eyes.. [And frankly, ownership of the ball for more than a few moments is trouble anyway.] Left or right: do you prefer to come off your left foot or right foot...I can sidestep both sides - and very good at it I am too but am better passing right so prefer left wing. Top speed not important but acceleration and beating one or more men is. Defensively you need to act as a substitute fullback - it's tempting to tackle a man around the waist even though I have never seen a man run with legs bailed up..in the tackle, technique and timing is as important as weight. When you get better and know the plays then you might get sucked into midfield and act as another centre or shift the direction of the attack after a scissors move ..google it.

If you are solid and stout then you might even play in the scrum but at higher levels the front row can be specialist - there is more to it than the soccer types realise - for one thing it is dangerous and some of the backrow positions also depend on a good rugby brain. Having said that, if you are big and mobile then the backrow it is, big and slow, then hooker is quite safe..but you will be tasked with throwing the ball into lineouts...

Playing in the centres in the three quarter (back) line requires a pass...if you can do this and back up other players this is also quite safe...ish...get a pass happening...

Good luck - let me know how you go. Rugby is a very sociable game and there will also certainly be a requirement to drink a lot of alcohol - if you can't drink a lot and feel foolish - get rid of it or decline...most rugby people, even if robust and exuberant are decent people.

mpgrewal

Thanks Badge. I've initated talks with few clubs in the South East and they tell that new season will be starting Nov onwards. I am planning to buy some equipment in the meantime, can you tell if each or some of them is required

Shoulder pads
Head gear
Gum guard (Isn't it yucky or you have breathing problems)
Do I need other equipment? Are you allowed to wear your own jersey or club specifies the team colors

I prefer to play with the 30+ group more for fun and socialising, so Unis are out.

BadgeIsBack

The club will give you a jersey if you represent their side in a game. It will have been washed previously....and you will wash it and return or give to a duty bod on dhobi duty. Boots - pick carefully -as a back, I don't like the ones with huge amounts of ankle support. Socks and shorts - wear your own. Not too long - this is not soccer. I don't mind the rugby league shorts as they double up as running shorts without the effing vent and all that jazz and dry quickly in hours.

Gum guard - get used to it. Get one from Rebel sport. Pop in boiling water, cool, shape.

Head gear - sensible but in the backs it might be overdone.

Shoulder pads - more popular these days....I confess to using to them in my last days of playing. Psychological more than anything.