BACK AT IT AGAIN

Am sure the name says it all…. Yes the “mysterious guy” has returned, but before I get down to business allow me to vehemently but briefly decipher the reason for my absence over the past few months. After all being in the organizing committee of the ‘RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIPS’ is quite the task…though that’s a story for another day.

I was glad to have made it in time to catch the boys playing in the 2^nd last leg of annual sevens circuit. I have to admit day one didn't quite go their way but hey, no one ever said it would be a walk in the park. Coolly I arrive at the grounds and make my way to sit next to the technical bench where strategies were being discussed. If the boys played their cards right, the trophy was theirs for the taking.

It was a win or win scenario, nothing less… a few words of encouragement from the coach, screams from the fans and determination in their fellow players eyes was enough to turn this team into a well oiled machine that, if anything, gave a performance we hadn't seen in a long time.

Perhaps the longest 10 minutes were those of the second half of the bowl final against MWAMBA which saw us play with six men for a whole two minutes (give or take a few seconds).

That is all I have on matters relating to the field due to the level of inebriation (alcohol related) that were on the other side of the barriers.

All we can do now is carry the momentum over to the 15s season starting in a few weeks.

And with that I remind you: 

        

                         THIS IS WHAT WE LIVE FOR : NONDIES RUGBY!

Rugby positions101 (Backs)

Scum Half: If one back must be tolerated, it is the scrum half. He is scrappy and loud, and doesn’t shy away from a fight. In fact, he starts them more frequently than anyone else on the team. This sometimes gets him in trouble because he is too small to finish an altercation: usually a forward is required to intervene and save him. A good number nine will rake mercilessly and punch opposing players in the face, or worse, if they don’t release the ball. His passing and kicking skills are developed by necessity only. In reality, he is a forward trapped in a back’s body and would stick his nose in the scrums if allowed.

 Fly Half: The cockiest man on the field, the fly half is never seen in the locker room without his hairbrush and French cologne. The fly half supposedly leads the backs and directs the flow of the game, but he is usually found screaming out incoherent orders and yelling at others to ruck so he doesn’t have to. His passes are rarely as pretty as his face and his flashy runs often result in a loss of yardage or a dropped pass. For his uneducated foot, the fly half enjoys kicking far more than is productive or even healthy. Off the field, he cannot be trusted; as such any self-respecting woman should avoid him at all costs.

Centers: These players like to refer to themselves as locomotives or “freight trains,” although their speed is often lacking and their statures less than impressive. They would do well to spend some time in the forward pack, to learn not to shy away from contact, and embrace physicality. The inside center carries the ball far too often due to his proximity to the fly half and his inability to pass the ball further down the back line. The outside center has fewer chances to knock the ball on, but he never fails to capitalize when the opportunity is presented. To their credit, they have an amazing knack for taking the ball into contact in such a way that it is impossible to win it back. T’s really quite an anomaly. Off the field, they boast of breaking tackles and scoring tries, although everyone else knows better.

Wingers: These speed demons hang around the outskirts of the action so as to keep their kit clean. Wingers will have great fashion sense and can be counted upon to recite tips and trends from the latest issues of GQ. On occasion, they have a chance to break for long runs and excite the crowd, although more often than not they are tackled or pushed off the pitch. Their weak stature also means they tend to be injured quite easily. Wingers look more like soccer players than rugby players, and always have over-inflated egos. On occasion the forwards provide them with an easy opportunity to score, the wingers take all the credit and congratulate themselves by staunchly avoided any contact for the remainder of the game.

Fullback: The last line of defense, the fullback usually crumbles under all the pressure that is put on him. This manifests I various ways including fumbled punts, shanked kicks, and missed open field tackles. If the stars are aligned, he may put together a worthwhile counter attack with the wingers, but this occurrence is far too infrequent to merit discussion. The fullback’s status as a rugby player is questionable as he spends the majority of the game spectating from afar. In fact, this personality continues off the field; at post game functions, he is often seen drinking by himself in the corner. 

and with that i leave you, ladies and gentlemen...ENJOY!!

RUGBY POSITIONS 101 part one (THE FORWARDS)

There have been many attempts to describe the complex roles and responsibilities of each member of a rugby team and the dynamic interactions that take place on and off the pitch. M any of these past attempts have been accurate, many have been precise, and many have been humorous. Most give entirely too much credit to the backs, despite their best intentions. (Just for the record I am neither for the  backs nor forwards, the ref seems like a safe option for now)

Below is a breakdown of the different positions on a rugby pitch. It is intended for “educational” purposes as well as entertainment purposes. If you’ve never seen a rugby game before, you may be better off reading Wikipedia for a more sterile explanation.

FORWARDS:

PROPS: These warm, friendly chaps go through life with healthy, albeit often toothless, smiles. In general they are SLIGHTLY overweight, although they prefer the term “SOLID”. But don’t let the jolly demeanors fool you: put anything next to a prop’s mouth and may never see it again. They eat constantly if not always to fuel their monstrous aggression in the scrums. Like many forwards, they dream of one day hitting a drop goal in a real game and practice the skill diligently in training. They are loyal and trustworthy and great friends to have around off the pitch.

HOOKERS: The smallest forward, a hooker is known for his crafty ways and cauliflower ears. He is not always the fastest or most athletic man on the pitch, but he manages to get the job done for the full 80 minutes. Hooking and throwing skills are essential  as he is a critical part of any good scrum or lineout. The hooker’s job mandates that he have a bald patch on the top of his head, so don’t bring it up unless you want your face raked in the next breakdown.

LOCKS: Tall and Strong, these giants round out the power house that is the tight five. Also called the second row, they are known for their strength and athleticism, although not necessarily for their intellect. Most were not actually born slow; it is apparent, however, that years of jamming their heads between the front row’s asses have taken a toll on their mental capacities. Never theless, locks remain an essential part of scrums and lineouts and are indispensable in rucking and ball possession.

 FLANKERS: These athletic machines have all the speed, talent and skill of backs, but would rather enjoy the brutality of the csrum than sit idly by and watch the proceedings. They are confident , although not nearly as corky as the backs , and they take great pride in fattening opposing scrum halfs, even if the hit is late.   Such honor is reserved for flankers because they are the most versatile players on the field, capable of  producing awe-inspiring runs,running smart support lines,or playing hard nosed defense if needed.

NUMBER EIGHT: Rounding out the forward pack, this man as no need for a name; rather one refers to him only by number. Sharing many of the versatile and athletic traits of the flaners, he is clearly the most “valuable” man on the rugby pitch. He may be seen running over opposing forward, rucking for the   otherwise helpless backs, or making booming hits in the open field. He has the speed to run around the defense, but would rather run over them if presented with the option. Although he is not as groomed as those in the backline, the number eight is one of the most “handsome” players on the squad.

   Don't forget to live your names and comment...thank you       

          ************** Enjoy the read*********************

A Starters course for the boys on the field

are rising concerns over the increased rate and pace that some players are warming down after training sessions! please note that the reason behind is not the fitness of the players rather it’s the introduction of the chapatis next to that small kitchen of ours….the ingredients of the said chapatis is yet to be investigated…

 ***************watch this space*****************

A RUGBY PLAYERS DIET…

According to a very experienced and reliable source of mine  the training diet of a rugby player should:

o    Be high in energy to help with muscle gain – eat three meals and regular snacks everyday.

o    Be high in carbohydrate rich foods – breakfast cereal, bread, muffins, crackers and crisp breads, muesli bars, rice, pasta, potatoes, fruit, smoothies. These should form the basis for most meals and snacks. This will help with exercise performance, recovery from training, and muscle gain.

o    Be moderate in protein rich foods – meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, beans, peas, lentils, unsalted nuts. There is no need to eat masses of extra protein to “bulk up.” Remember protein rich foods are not the main source of energy for exercise. In most cases the amount of protein required can be achieved simply by following a balanced healthy diet, which contains sufficient carbohydrate. If you’re interested in finding out your individual protein requirements, check out DISEN.

o    Make sure meals are low in fat – try to avoid too much margarine, fatty meats, high fat takeaway and snacks, fried food and creamy sauces.

o    Include at least 5 servings of fruit and vegetables each day – necessary for preventing illness, building muscles and repairing injury.

o    Be low in alcohol as it leads to poor recovery, slow repair of injury, and contribute to excess weight. If you drink alcohol do so in moderation.

RUGBY FLUID REQUIREMENTS…

As with any intense activity, rugby players can lose considerable amounts of fluid during a game. This can in turn have detrimental effects on concentration and coordination. So, how can you stay hydrated?

o    Most people need 1.5-2.0 liters of fluid per day, plus whatever they lose during exercise.

o    Get into the habit of drinking a glass of water with all meals and snacks.

o    2 hours prior to an event drink 500-600mls of water, or sports drink.

o    During exercise drink 150-200mls every 15-20 minutes, if possible.

o    After exercise try to replace losses within the first 2 hours of recovery.

NUTRITION BEFORE A GAME…

o    Eat extra carbohydrate and drink plenty of fluid, 24 hours prior to the game.

o    Have your last meal 3-4 hours before the game, for example pasta with a tomato based sauce, and lean meat, chicken, or fish; or a baked potato with tuna, or chicken.

o    Have a light snack 1-2 hours before.

SNACKS AFTER A GAME

Drinking and eating carbohydrate rich foods as soon as possible after the game will help you recover more quickly. It’s important to start refueling as soon as you can after training or a game.

Opt for high carbohydrate, low fat snacks, such as:

o    Sandwich with low fat cheese, ham, chicken, tuna, boiled egg, or jam and peanut butter

o    Bananas

o    Fruit muffins, or pancakes

o    Bowl of cereal with low fat milk

o    Cereal bars

o    Fresh fruit, and a diet yoghurt

o    Dried fruit

o    Low fat cereal bar

o    Fig rolls

o    Sports drink

                ***enjoy the read******