phart Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Saw the below on a Sports Science blog, just starting to read it myself but should be interesting for some of the Rugby followers "One thing that is very noticeable in this years world cup is the condition of the players. The vast majority of players from 1 to 15 are in peak physical condition thanks to endless of hours in the gym and on the training pitch. The evolution of rugby has been huge and the sport has moved on from the days of baggy jerseys and static line-outs. Props nowadays are built more like body builders than just... well.... normal builders. Jonah Lomu was regarded for being a physical specimen during his heyday, but taking a look around today there are numerous wingers who have similar if not better physical attributes than the famous Kiwi. http://www.balls.ie/fitness-lifestyle/evolution-of-rugby-in-professional-era/311649 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
biffer Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Yeah, massive difference compared to twenty years ago. Substantially to do with the move from amateur to professional - someone training all day everyday is going to end up bigger, stronger and faster than someone training two or three times a week. However I'm personally convinced there's a bad problem with drugs in rugby. More rugby players are banned in the UK at the moment that in any other sport, and that's with a fairly inadequate testing regime. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McExpat Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) One word - Steroids Edited October 9, 2015 by McExpat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Q Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 (edited) My nephew is a professional player and when he was younger (about 18) and associated with the Scottish Institute of Sport he was given a detailed training and dietary regime to bulk up. This included consuming in excess of 6000 calories a month. Now at 6 foot and 14 1/2 stone he is regularly referred to as small, even as 'diminutive' n one article in The Scotsman. In contrast I have the programme from one on the first games I went to at Murrayfield to see Graham Mourie's Grand Slam All Blacks in 1977. One of the locks is Frank Oliver, 6'1"", 14st. Edited October 9, 2015 by Pool Q Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pool Q Posted October 9, 2015 Share Posted October 9, 2015 Sorry, 6000 calories a day; 1978 All Blacks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thplinth Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 (edited) Of course they are taking drugs. I'd be amazed if you could play and not be taking drugs. edit: to change dugs to drugs Edited October 10, 2015 by thplinth Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hertsscot Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 I wonder if people keep on bulking up so much that they might have to go down the American Football route and start getting padded up to protect themselves from serious injury. On the issue of steroids I've felt that judging by the looks of them League may have more of a problem than Union. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
euan2020 Posted October 10, 2015 Share Posted October 10, 2015 even the school kids playing rugby are doping up http://www.timeslive.co.za/sport/rugby/2011/06/14/drug-testers-crack-down-on-school-doping1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phart Posted October 10, 2015 Author Share Posted October 10, 2015 I'm laughing cause for once i wasn't talking about doping, just showing an article i read. then everyone else mentions it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alan Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 The players being so big makes the game more dangerous. Johnnie Beattie did a good doc on tv a few weeks ago about injuries especially concussions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toepoke Posted October 11, 2015 Share Posted October 11, 2015 Johnnie Beattie did a good doc on tv a few weeks ago about injuries especially concussions. Now You See It Twice? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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