Which position should I play?

[Jmck7654]

I am 21 years old, 186cm tall and weigh 78kg - I'm thin and relatively agile. I have never played rugby before, however I play oztag and always played touch footy at lunchtime throughout high school. In my oztag team I tend to find myself at first receiver directing traffic and taking the kicks. I am a lifelong soccer player looking for something new and I've always loved watching rugby and playing touch.

First, am I too old to start playing? Many of my mates say I should have learnt how to protect myself in tackles etc at a younger age and that there's a high chance I'll get injured if I start now playing against guys up to twice my size.

Second, if I do play, which position should I look to play? My soccer experience has given me a long boot, a decent step and I'm pretty fast off the mark. I thought about wing but part of me would like to see a bit more action in-field. I thought about fullback but I'm not sure about whether I'd be safe as the last line of defence...

Any advice you could give would be much appreciated! Cheers

Joe

 

[lynam1104]

I think maybe wing or FB would be best considering your size and the fact that your agile. If your acute FH might be good in long term.

 

[nickdnz]

I am 21 years old, 186cm tall and weigh 78kg - I'm thin and relatively agile. I have never played rugby before, however I play oztag and always played touch footy at lunchtime throughout high school. In my oztag team I tend to find myself at first receiver directing traffic and taking the kicks. I am a lifelong soccer player looking for something new and I've always loved watching rugby and playing touch.

First, am I too old to start playing? Many of my mates say I should have learnt how to protect myself in tackles etc at a younger age and that there's a high chance I'll get injured if I start now playing against guys up to twice my size.

Second, if I do play, which position should I look to play? My soccer experience has given me a long boot, a decent step and I'm pretty fast off the mark. I thought about wing but part of me would like to see a bit more action in-field. I thought about fullback but I'm not sure about whether I'd be safe as the last line of defence...

Any advice you could give would be much appreciated! Cheers

Joe

Make sure that you practise kicking a rugby ball. I know a lot of football players whom think they could kick well in rugby, and fail miserably. I'm not saying that is the case for you, but just get some good practise. It's not too late to start playing rugby. It may take a season or two before you feel your up to scratch with the rules and your role, but physically there's very little wrong with starting in your early 20's.

I'd recomend playing 2nd 5/8th (12, inside center). I don't know how fast you are, but to be a very good wing, you have to be very quick, and you won't see much ball, and at fullback not only do you have to be quick, you have to be very confident in your basic skills so kicking and catching, while sounding very easy, can be hard to master in your first season under pressure. Center you are more likely to run into very hard runners, so you have to be a very confident tackler. However at inside center you will receive a lot of ball, but with plenty of time to make up your mind what to do with it. You can use your kicking skills and speed to effect at inside center, with out the same level of pressure that you get at 1st 5/8th. Depending how you go there, you may want to consider moving inside a position to fly half.

 

[King_D'Arcy]

Tighthead prop

 

[Sam Owen]

Perhaps left, right, out??...nah just kidding, I know, bad joke.

Wing or Fullback. Dont worry about being the last line of defence if you play FB, if someone breaks through its 100% your teams D lines fault but that doesnt mean you let the line-breaker go, go after him with aggression. If he beats you dont worry about it just keep trying.

I talk of you as being a fullback because you mentioned how you play in oztag and your ability to punt. In Rugby Union or League you want to pass a bit earlier than you do in oztag.

Have fun.

 

[Sam Owen]

Tighthead prop

:lol::lol:

 

[Amobokoboko]

Hi mate, I picked up rugby this year again at the age of 26, I do sports 5 days a week and I'm quite fit so all good.
Regarding your position. Have a chat with your coach and he will sort you out. In my team we have a rotation system and I have been playing lock and everything from 11 up to 14.

 

[Hulk Hogan]

What state in Australia are you in?

 

[Jmck7654]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I guess I'll talk to the coach during pre-season and see where he wants me. I'm playing for Burwood Briars in NSW, bottom division of course! Thanks again

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

I'd advise you to try winger first as it is probably the easiest and least critical of all the positions at least for a start until you feel confident. Not dissing wingers here, I'm a winger myself but facts are facts.

Essentially all you need to do is catch the ball, try to stay in field and finish the tries, supporting your centers, helping the FB cover the back and stalling opposition overlap attacks long enough for cover defense not too be under too much pressure.

 

[tinchy17]

Can you kick? If you can, try out fly half. Youre too light to be a forward

 

[lucky number 7]

Can you kick? If you can, try out fly half. Youre too light to be a forward

big fat no to that......at 7 you dont need to be huge...or hooker although it would help at hooker

 

[Peat]

I was fairly similar dimensions to the original poster until quite recently and playing openside flanker fairly succesfully. I'm still not much heavier. They'll love him in the lineout!