Gonna play Rugby for the first time at 39. What kind of club should I look for? What position should I try?

Question

I'm a soccer player. I played wing and midfield at lower levels. I moved to outside defender when I made a semi-pro team in California because my speed impressed while my ball handling did not.

I'm 6', 13 stone. I can bench 315. I am sure the running positions suit me better than the first row and probably the second, but I'll be very disappointed if I don't get to do some hitting and tackling.

I will figure it out as I go, but I would like to learn something about a specific position or two before I find a club to practice and play with. Any advice for a beginner?

Answer 1

I think you could play Flankers or a number 8, even in the centres, you've got the right build for it.

Basically a Flanker is one of the most busiest positions, your going to have to be really fit, you have to ruck for the ball a lot and your going to do a lot of tackling and driving.

Number 8 is pretty much like a flanker but more based in attacking

Centres are the main attackers in the team, you have to be fast, and have good agility, your job is to either score tries or create them for your wingers.

I have noticed though, if you dont tell the coach where you want to play, they will end up putting you in a position which they think is best but you may not nessecarly like it, so it is always good to let them know where you want to play. Hope all goes well :)

Answer 2

Heh -- you're starting the game as a silverback!  (So have I, so no worries.)

Given good size and speed, but not-as-great ball handling, I think you'd be a natural flanker (as so many others have already noted).  Inside center as a close second choice is also good (it requires more ball-handling skills, but you don't have to throw as far usually -- I'm just picking up that position right now, and our main strategies involve either 2-crash [inside center gets the ball and runs forward until score or contact] or 2-skip [inside center is dummy runner while flyhalf passes to outside center], which works just fine).

Answer 3

The best way to learn the game is to be in the scrum.  By your description I would say that "breakaway" would suited to your size and speed but it's a very important position and you are required to break from the scrum quickly and get to the ball asap.  I would start in the second row until you have played enough games to understand the role of a breakaway.  If you like tackling then definately be in the scrum. (The backs don't always do a lot of tackling.)

Answer 4

Where are you in California?

Answer 5

I'd agree with the other posts in that it sounds like you might suit the flank (6 or 7) or even number 8. But I'd disagree that other places don't do much hitting and tackling!

Inside Centre (also called second five-eighth, or number 12) might also be ideal in that if you are learning the game you can be easily guided by your fly half (who should know exactly what he wants you to do) and your Outside Centre. You also get to hit the ball up plenty of times and tackle when the opposition do like-wise. It's probably the easiest place to play in terms of tactics and positioning too, whereas to play well on either side of the scrum requires an ability to read the game well and know your lines of running.

Wherever you decide to play I'd make sure you talk to everybody else in the team about the specialities of their position and then you can give a few different positions a go...

Answer 6

I believe I agree with all the answers. When you first started describing yourself it was almost automatic that I'd put you as a Flanker or No.8 But the post previous to me sounded good as well (being placed on the wing) doesn't give you a whole lot of responsibility but for someone with your frame I believe flanker is your position

    1      2      3

6     4      5      7

            8

This is the formation of a scrum and you'd be either a no.6 or no.7 (maybe no.8 but i think 6 and 7 are best for you) Basically they are like loosely attached to the scrum and it would be your job to run to rucks and mauls (I am sure the running positions suit me better) and to either retain or steal the ball at the breakdown which requires some physical work (but I'll be very disappointed if I don't get to do some hitting and tackling.)

After all, historically Flankers were called "wing-forwards" which just might solidify my reason for your position.

Hope this helps...

Answer 7

Seeing as you have a good build and are impressively fast, you'd do well as a flanker (breakaway). They are part of the forwards but are described as 'loose' forwards because they are usually on the edges of scrums and rucks and are more mobile than the other forwards.

As a flanker you get to do a good amount of hitting too.(putting the five-eighth under pressure and smashing him before he gets the ball away is a flankers favorite past-time).

Answer 8

Possibly, outside center. Perhaps hooker. The back row (flanker, #8) suggestion would be a good one except that I doubt at 39 you'd be fast enough to keep up with the typical back row players in their 20's. Lot's of hitting and tackling to go around for everyone no matter what position. Forwards though do much more of it.

Answer 9

Upon reading this I immediately though Flanker,

but remember, your position will likely be determined by where you can get some game time, if you join a team with a strong forward pack your more likely to get some game time by playing in the inside backs, (inside centre, maybe flyhalf given you've played soccer and therefore can probably kick)

You'll figure out where you fit after playing with the team a bit at training

Remember don't get your heart set on anyone position, in my time as a rugby player I played both wing and front row (a rarity i know) among a lot of other positions, you'll probably enjoy yourself the most at the place where you fit into the team

Answer 10

most clubs will put new players at wing simply because the concept their is pretty simple. wings are the fastest players on the field and they are given the ball in space to either beat their man on the outside or go through. basically their are two types of backs....small very fast agile guys or big fast strong guys. If you are very good at kicking with either foot and you want to be in on a tackle and would like the ball in your hands alot then  i recommend fullback. I f by some chance your flyhalf isnt a good kicker its normal for fullbacks to kick for points. you are the last line of defense but you also are in charge with fielding kicks and launching counter attacks and kicking. you work as a tandem with wings, often times they will give you the ball so you can put a good boot on it. I will warn you, you run ALOT in rugby especially at fullback. I would run 3 miles every other day before you start practicing.....I recommend you watch rugby videos on youtube and educate yourself on the game....ur first time out there u wont know what the h**l is going on but if u were to be more familiar with the game and a club doesn't need to start from the VERY beginning that greatly plays in your favor. maybe after a couple of years of experience they will put you at flyhalf. hope this helps

cheers

Answer 11

i'd agree with the answers before, especially with the suggestion of playing 6, 7 or 8, which are flankers and 8 man. Inside centre is also a good position, as you are part of the first row of backs that gets to hit opposing players, but you could also consider fullback given your size. Fullback plays like a sweeper, and you get come up and hit whoever gets past the rest of the defense. You also have to kick sometimes, but since you've played soccer, that shouldn't be a big deal.

Answer 12

be in the scrum