Who Here Likes Rugby?

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I'm a New Zealander, so it's a given I've played Rugby since I was little.

Who here enjoys the game of Rugby? Either playing or watching, just wanted to gauge interest and maybe spark some discussion for those interested.

Can be any form too, 15 a side or 7 a side, touch, league etc. Appreciate it!

[BloodRaven]

Are there any Rugby players big and fast enough to play WR?

[darklight1216]

I don't enjoy rugby on any level. Football is my collision sport.

Here's a cool Sports Science video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7tGY-VDx3o

[Michael]

I tried to get into it, but all the ' yuppies' that play it at clifton park in east baltimore all the time ruined it for me.

[Tighthead420]

I played Rugby for 7 years. One in college and then 6 for a few different men's teams. I played the longest for Baltimore Chesapeake, but bounced around with a few DC teams, and played for Miami before shredding my ankle. I only played 15, but wanted to give 7s a try. But, I was a prop/lock, so 7's for a fatty like me is kind of tough! By far my favorite sport. I have played every sport out there and never stuck with one until Rugby. It was WAY addictive, and a boatload of fun. I am thinking about joining an old boys club when I turn 35. I can't hang with the kids coming out of college...trying to keep up with a 21 year old boy at the ripe age of 33 is not happening.

Anytime you want to talk rugby, go right ahead! You have a captive audience here.

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='darklight1216' date='21 October 2009 - 04:29 PM' timestamp='1256138944' post='263988']
I don't enjoy rugby on any level. Football is my collision sport.

Here's a cool Sports Science video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7tGY-VDx3o
[/quote]

That Sports Science test is laughable! A professional NFL player hitting a standing dummy against a Rugby Player who plays in the US (which means Semi-Pro no offence) hitting a teammate. It would have been more legit if they had used a European or Southern Hemisphere professional player IMO.

[BloodRaven]

No seriously, are there any Rugby players big or fast enough to play WR?

[Tighthead420]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='21 October 2009 - 11:57 PM' timestamp='1256183877' post='264463']
No seriously, are there any Rugby players big or fast enough to play WR?
[/quote]

Of course. I played with a few who could run a 4.4 40 and were every bit of 200 lbs. Some were 'exchange players' sent for a tour from European teams. Usually they were B or C side players over there who for whatever reason played with our teams for a year or two. When I played for Miami, a semi-pro team from England was on tour and we played them. They were VERY impressive in both size and athletic ability, and they were not even professionals.

Anyway, that science video was a crock. Not scientific at all. However, football players do hit harder, but not because of athleticism. In football, an unseen blocker leveling you is very common. As is a defenseless receiver getting pummeled standing still or jumping. In Rugby, there is no blocking (it is a penalty) and it is also illegal to hit someone without the ball, or while in the air. That being said, you know (for the most part) when you are about to get hit. If you still doubt that Rugby is a collision sport, try it...maybe you will change your tune.

Also, a grown 250-300 pound man wearing tampons...I mean pads is a bit of a disgrace.

[Purple Nurple]

[size="6"]Go Springboks![/size]

[img]http://img.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2007/05_02/englandDM2805_468x328.jpg[/img]

[BmoreRav]

[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVreWaz4z8c#[/media]

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='22 October 2009 - 03:17 AM' timestamp='1256138272' post='263983']
Are there any Rugby players big and fast enough to play WR?
[/quote]
Yeah for sure, plenty in New Zealand!

[quote name='darklight1216' date='22 October 2009 - 03:29 AM' timestamp='1256138944' post='263988']
I don't enjoy rugby on any level. Football is my collision sport.

Here's a cool Sports Science video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W7tGY-VDx3o
[/quote]
Lol, that's a tad silly. I wasn't arguing rugby is better, I just said this was a thread for rugby discussion. Whether you're trying to unvalidate the thread by making rugby seem soft, I don't know. Either way, it's a tough game. Of course people can't hit as hard, without helmets and pads people don't want to and simply can't.... you'll knock yourself out. Besides, you try running into someone at full speed after running around the park for an hour and having to do it again and again and again.

[quote name='Michael' date='22 October 2009 - 03:29 AM' timestamp='1256138993' post='263989']
I tried to get into it, but all the ' yuppies' that play it at clifton park in east baltimore all the time ruined it for me.
[/quote]
Yuppies?

[quote name='Tighthead420' date='22 October 2009 - 06:22 AM' timestamp='1256149329' post='264098']
I played Rugby for 7 years. One in college and then 6 for a few different men's teams. I played the longest for Baltimore Chesapeake, but bounced around with a few DC teams, and played for Miami before shredding my ankle. I only played 15, but wanted to give 7s a try. But, I was a prop/lock, so 7's for a fatty like me is kind of tough! By far my favorite sport. I have played every sport out there and never stuck with one until Rugby. It was WAY addictive, and a boatload of fun. I am thinking about joining an old boys club when I turn 35. I can't hang with the kids coming out of college...trying to keep up with a 21 year old boy at the ripe age of 33 is not happening.

Anytime you want to talk rugby, go right ahead! You have a captive audience here.
[/quote]
Awesome, glad to hear you love the game!!!

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

I hope the game catches on in the America's, growing the level of competition is important. America could dominate, there's some real physical specimen's around the place!

As for my beloved All Blacks, was a rough season. I was annoyed South Africa won the Tri Nations, I feel like we handed them victory in all 3 games. It reminded me a bit of Baltimore-Cincinnati all three times - we're the better side but errors were our undoing.

Oh well, a tour to Europe should help get a few wins under the belt and blood some new talent

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='28 October 2009 - 08:35 AM' timestamp='1256718916' post='267348']
I hope the game catches on in the America's, growing the level of competition is important. America could dominate, there's some real physical specimen's around the place!

As for my beloved All Blacks, was a rough season. I was annoyed South Africa won the Tri Nations, I feel like we handed them victory in all 3 games. It reminded me a bit of Baltimore-Cincinnati all three times - we're the better side but errors were our undoing.

[b]Oh well, a tour to Europe should help get a few wins under the belt and blood some new talent[/b]
[/quote]

An opening game in the Millenium Stadium should set you off on the [b]wrong[/b] foot!

LOL, in all honesty I'm looking forward to it but since we haven't beat you since the 50's I wouldn't say I'm that confident in getting the win. Either way it should be a good game, you can't beat a good physical game of International Rugby Union!!

[MKdave]

[quote name='Ed_Reed_Pick_Six' date='28 October 2009 - 08:35 AM' timestamp='1256718916' post='267348']
I hope the game catches on in the America's, growing the level of competition is important. America could dominate, there's some real physical specimen's around the place!

[/quote]
I don't know that America could dominate. Most Americans with the necessary size and athleticism will turn to football, whereas for the Europeans and pacific islanders, rugby is the only contact sport they have access to, so those countries will be better.
Unless rugby achieves somewhat of a parallel with football, then it won't happen.

[FerrariFan87]

I know more about Cricket than Rugby, and if given the option to watch/play one or the other, I would pick Cricket.

[1defense]

I like rugby but you think the NFL players hit hard, you have to try rugby just once to understand.I played rugby once and that was enough for me a former football player and wrestler during my high school days.If you get hurt hopefully you have your own business our a boss that doesn't mine you missing time with injury.

[BloodRaven]

[quote name='BmoreRav' date='22 October 2009 - 02:15 PM' timestamp='1256238958' post='264710']
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hVreWaz4z8c#[/media]
[/quote]

Was about to call him slow but that burst in 1:12 is pretty impressive. Hes obviously very small though.

Throw some pads on him and see if he can return kicks

[Tighthead420]

[quote name='1defense' date='29 October 2009 - 12:26 AM' timestamp='1256790397' post='267807']
I like rugby but you think the NFL players hit hard, you have to try rugby just once to understand.I played rugby once and that was enough for me a former football player and wrestler during my high school days.If you get hurt hopefully you have your own business our a boss that doesn't mine you missing time with injury.
[/quote]


I never really missed time. I dislocated my collar bone once and couldn't lift my arm for a month (as a chemist that's tough), but I could still work. But, I would frequently have to meet with clients with cleat marks on my face, or huge knots and bruises all over my face/head. That or a broken finger/toe/nose taped up by an amateur. Nothing like explaining that to a client or the VP/CEO first thing on a Monday.

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='BloodRaven' date='29 October 2009 - 07:21 AM' timestamp='1256800886' post='267836']
Was about to call him slow but that burst in 1:12 is pretty impressive. Hes obviously very small though.

Throw some pads on him and see if he can return kicks
[/quote]

He's one of the quickest players in World Rugby, getting on a bit now mind at 32. He is small, around 5'7" 175lbs!

He's top try scorer for my Country.

[MKdave]

[quote name='BmoreRav' date='29 October 2009 - 11:43 AM' timestamp='1256816618' post='267861']
He's one of the quickest players in World Rugby, getting on a bit now mind at 32. He is small, around 5'7" 175lbs!

He's top try scorer for my Country.
[/quote]

Quick yeah, but in terms of pure speed I don't think you can look past Habana, who is much bigger.

My personal favourite, though, is Alesana Tuilagi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DnzDS3EzQ4

[BmoreRav]

[quote name='MKdave' date='29 October 2009 - 12:34 PM' timestamp='1256819699' post='267866']
Quick yeah, but in terms of pure speed I don't think you can look past Habana, who is much bigger.

My personal favourite, though, is Alesana Tuilagi.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2DnzDS3EzQ4
[/quote]

I wasn't implying he was quicker than Habana, just that he is [b]one[/b] of the quickest in the sport.

[MKdave]

[quote name='BmoreRav' date='29 October 2009 - 05:56 PM' timestamp='1256838986' post='267999']
I wasn't implying he was quicker than Habana, just that he is [b]one[/b] of the quickest in the sport.
[/quote]

He might be quicker over short areas than Habana. It'd make sense, him being so light.

[Ed_Reed_Pick_Six]

[quote name='MKdave' date='29 October 2009 - 04:37 AM' timestamp='1256747866' post='267490']
I don't know that America could dominate. Most Americans with the necessary size and athleticism will turn to football, whereas for the Europeans and pacific islanders, rugby is the only contact sport they have access to, so those countries will be better.
Unless rugby achieves somewhat of a parallel with football, then it won't happen.
[/quote]
Well relatively there's no space in professional football for 99% of these fine athletes, it wouldn't take much, this will be debated but my country is probably the best in the world (I contend we beat ourselves in the Tri Nations and loss early games because Dan Carter was out) and our population is about 4.4 million people.

[quote name='FerrariFan87' date='29 October 2009 - 04:46 AM' timestamp='1256748388' post='267501']
I know more about Cricket than Rugby, and if given the option to watch/play one or the other, I would pick Cricket.
[/quote]
Also enjoy Cricket, the summer game! Go Black Caps!!!

[quote name='BmoreRav' date='29 October 2009 - 11:43 PM' timestamp='1256816618' post='267861']
He's one of the quickest players in World Rugby, getting on a bit now mind at 32. He is small, around 5'7" 175lbs!

He's top try scorer for my Country.
[/quote]
He's pretty good, he's no Sitiveni Sivivatu though I wish Joe Rokocoko would return to his best form, he was unstoppable in his prime. Man we've had good wingers! Lomu, Howlett, Rokocoko ... I'm looking forward to playing Wales, the passion of the fans is great.