What position in rugby should i play?

Question

16 yrs old i am 6ft 1 almost 2 i weigh around 185 lbs

i am a good speed for my size am not afraid of contact have a decent virtical jump

12 years of hockey under my belt if that helps at all

thanks for your time

jordan

Answer 1

I've been playing rugby for 12 years, I'm 20 now and theres only one position for me.  If you have the speed and the determination, are super fit, hit like a m**o and enjoy loose play, open side flanker is for you.  Other than putting pressure on the halfback and fly, the field is your oyster.  Look up some plays of Schalk Burger from the Springboks, best open and blind side flanker.

Answer 2

Pretty tall, not that heavy, good vertical leap... I'd have you in the second row for sure.  I've coached High School rugby in Canada for about 5 years and we have a ton of Hockey players.  I find they are some of the best players we get in Rugby because they enjoy the contact on offence and defence plus they really enjoy the thrill of playing for really long stretches of time.

One of my favourite young players said to me that he loved playing for 40 minutes between breaks unlike in Hockey when it is closer to 1 minute.  I laughed because I figured he just sucked at Hockey, but then I realised that even the best players are only out there a minute or so at a time.

A second row needs good fitness, cant be afraid of being lifted up in the air and probably a scrum cap unless you want ugly ears!  You'll learn all you need to know as you go, but the one specific thing for second rows is that you will probably be lifted in the lineout and you CANNOT flail around.  Try to keep the bottom half of your body rigid once you are up in the air, and do all the reaching with your upper body.

Answer 3

Niagara University (NY, near Buffalo) would be glad to find a spot for you on our rugby squad. Flanker, #8, second row.....always room for more good athletes!

Answer 4

I would definitely agree with the previous two.

I've been playing for a couple of years, and we seem to have about the same characteristics. I play #7 or 8-man, so i would suggest the same positions for you. :)