Collegiate Rugby Maxes

[dcdrumonthis]

I'm a senior in highschool in the US. I've been playing rugby for four years and I'm wondering what some of your maxes are on Deadlift, Squat and Bench for you rugby players in college (forwards and backs welcome!). I'm a pretty small forward 5'9, 190 Flanker and I'd just like to see where my strength falls in the field.

[SD101]

I played flanker and hooker with Citadel's rugby team(D3) at 5'9 185. and I can tell you my stats when I trained pre-season last year at the U-19 level, which was when I was in good rugby shape.

Bench: 245
Squat: 275
Deadlift: 315
Powerclean: 180

I played prop mostly at the U-19 level, I think I was the smallest prop in our conference.

Edit: Sorry, I can be more useful to you. Last season I attended Penn States rugby clinic and saw the lifts some of the guys were getting. Squats were very much in the upper 300's...I would work on that in your position. I dont even know how I managed a 275 squat with my old man knees hahaha...I can tell you some about colligate rugby if you have anymore questions shoot me a PM.

[dcdrumonthis]

Yeah my deadlift is around 350-400, haven't maxed out though
I squat about 300-315
And my bench is pretty pitiful at 200-225

[macmoney]

i dont play for a college team but i play when ever i can cause i love the sport.. ive played for Duluth, Minnesota, St. Cloud, River Falls, St. Johns and also multiple state club teams as Inside/ Outside center and also Wing

Stats
height- 6
weight- 230
40- 4.9
shuttle- 4.2
DL- 500
Squat- 470X2
Bench 225X2

i dont know where ima play next year but i hopefully if i can get my grades high enough i can stay w/ the UofM b/c i just wana play full time

[macmoney]

and these stats are from December and im doing my Testing in 2 weeks

[dcdrumonthis]

Wow your squat is really impressive

[jwest529]

i play Prop, hooker, flank for D2 nationally ranked Bentley (we destroyed D3 last year) I was usually the first or second forward off the bench depending on who was tired/hurt


O yea, Im a VERY small forward, but i don't let it phase me, i got the mentality im gonna kick the ass out of the 6-0 300 lb prop that cant move


At the beginning of the fall season i was prolly maxing 350-370 Squat, 250 Bench, maybe 315 DL (i really didnt DL)

now I'm at prolly 270-280 Bench, 400-420 Squat, 335-355 DL

just like in football size isnt everything, its about leverage and athleticism. I remember playing URI this year and they had a 6'5 275 prop and all he was, was big. it didn't work very well, he ran right at me on a penalty and i took him down, having skills is > then strength IMO.

where do u plan on playing in college?

[gekkoboy14]

I play for UIC, outside center,

bench 330
Squat 450
dl- ? pulled both hammys last season

[Snowman723]

If everyone in the states lifts so much then why don't they play better?

Like seriously....I toured the USA (Indiana) with the Ontario U18's and we played USA U18 and beat them 25-10. I came off the bench and scored 2 tries...one of which when I broke thru the fullback and covering wing

And I only Squat 250? Strange stuff indeed....

I gues champions aren't made in the gym after all? (Strong Ali lol)

[rush33]

If everyone in the states lifts so much then why don't they play better?

Like seriously....I toured the USA (Indiana) with the Ontario U18's and we played USA U18 and beat them 25-10. I came off the bench and scored 2 tries...one of which when I broke thru the fullback and covering wing

And I only Squat 250? Strange stuff indeed....

I gues champions aren't made in the gym after all? (Strong Ali lol)

It's not only about being strong. That and the fact that American Football pays very well, the athletes with the best potential/athleticism for rugby in the US are not playing rugby, but are instead playing football.

[Snowman723]

It's not only about being strong. That and the fact that American Football pays very well, the athletes with the best potential/athleticism for rugby in the US are not playing rugby, but are instead playing football.

For sure its about more than just being strong

I reject the whole football thing, there are some people who play rugby because they love it, not because they couldn't make it in Football

I love hockey and I have played at the Junior.B Level, for those who don't know hockey this is roughly 3 levels from the NHL, obviously it offers far more money than Rugby but I gave it up because rugby is MY sport and I would enjoy a career in that sport more so than hockey.

[monatu]

If everyone in the states lifts so much then why don't they play better?

Like seriously....I toured the USA (Indiana) with the Ontario U18's and we played USA U18 and beat them 25-10. I came off the bench and scored 2 tries...one of which when I broke thru the fullback and covering wing

And I only Squat 250? Strange stuff indeed....

I gues champions aren't made in the gym after all? (Strong Ali lol)

you gotta remember that these guys dont necesarrily represent everyone that plays rugby in the US. If they were really all as strong and conditioned as this, even at just college level, they would be a force to reckon with.

Also, anyone know any international players lifting stats?
only video of Union players in the Gym is a New Zealand one, and all you see is Carl Hayman box squatting 230 kgs for 3 reps.

[macmoney]

Wow your squat is really impressive

Thank you very much

[macmoney]

If everyone in the states lifts so much then why don't they play better?

Like seriously....I toured the USA (Indiana) with the Ontario U18's and we played USA U18 and beat them 25-10. I came off the bench and scored 2 tries...one of which when I broke thru the fullback and covering wing

And I only Squat 250? Strange stuff indeed....

I gues champions aren't made in the gym after all? (Strong Ali lol)

b/c most of us havent been playing till we were in High School so we are really far behind when it comes to tactics understanding deffensive strategy's and kick the ball and ect.

[N10CT]

As someone who has worked in S14 rugby and seen team record boards, a 180kg bench (400lbs) is the highest on most boards (sheridan is an exceptional freak). A 200kg squat would also put you in the top 5%.

There are too many other physical qualities required and stringent drug testing to be putting up 600lb benches.

In league, Carl Webb benched 180 and squated 240kgs. Shane Webcke could squat 220kgs and was incredibly fit as well/

[Snowman723]

b/c most of us havent been playing till we were in High School so we are really far behind when it comes to tactics understanding deffensive strategy's and kick the ball and ect.

I think people lean on this way to much...

To some degree yes only experience can help you perfect many of the basic technical skills, but there is more to winning a game than passing and kicking the ball

Some would argue that the physical aspect can be even more important, and its definitely possible to beat a technically superior team with size and power, like when I toured Wales with Canada U17...the last game of the tour we beat the Cardiff Blues academy (our only win of the tour) which was easily the best technical team on the tour and they lost because we over-powered them

Something just doesn't quite add up here lol

[monatu]

I think people lean on this way to much...

To some degree yes only experience can help you perfect many of the basic technical skills, but there is more to winning a game than passing and kicking the ball

Some would argue that the physical aspect can be even more important, and its definitely possible to beat a technically superior team with size and power, like when I toured Wales with Canada U17...the last game of the tour we beat the Cardiff Blues academy (our only win of the tour) which was easily the best technical team on the tour and they lost because we over-powered them

Something just doesn't quite add up here lol

true true

Our school is normally outgunned, not because we lack skill or technical ability, but because we simply arent big/strong enough. But on the other hand, my forward pack has dominated forward packs that were twice our size, even in scrums and mauls.

IMO determination/drive/heart beats both strength and skill.

Strength and conditioning is becoming a more important part of the game at highschool/college/club.

[Anonymoushead]

I play #6 and #8 in Australia & Ireland. Never bothered with measuring max weights.

Technique and commitment is what makes you a good rugby player, not big deadlifts (although I suppose that would help). As far as technique goes, "go low" pretty much sums up 90% of it. Commitment is the thing that comes from within that makes rugby the great game that it is!

Edit: oh, and fitness!! This is close to #1. I've seen smaller flankers with average technique and incredible fitness get selected over big, experienced, skilled players with not-so-good fitness. At your size, this is what you should be concentrating on!! Fitness is the key! Look at players like Kabamba Floors (Sharks, South Africa)George Smith (Brumbies, Aus), Phil Waugh (Waratahs, Aus), Serge Betsen (Biaritz, France) and Neil Back (England). None of them are huge flankers, but their fitness and courage/commitment is second to none.

[monatu]

Edit: oh, and fitness!! This is close to #1. I've seen smaller flankers with average technique and incredible fitness get selected over big, experienced, skilled players with not-so-good fitness. At your size, this is what you should be concentrating on!! Fitness is the key! Look at players like Kabamba Floors (Sharks, South Africa)George Smith (Brumbies, Aus), Phil Waugh (Waratahs, Aus), Serge Betsen (Biaritz, France) and Neil Back (England). None of them are huge flankers, but their fitness and courage/commitment is second to none.

Kabamba Floors plays for the Cheetahs :P had to say it

I agree with you though, Fitness is definetely paramount. Being strong wont matter at all if your not fit enough, you will just end up jogging the whole game trying to keep up

[Snowman723]

I play #6 and #8 in Australia & Ireland. Never bothered with measuring max weights.

Technique and commitment is what makes you a good rugby player, not big deadlifts (although I suppose that would help). As far as technique goes, "go low" pretty much sums up 90% of it. Commitment is the thing that comes from within that makes rugby the great game that it is!

Edit: oh, and fitness!! This is close to #1. I've seen smaller flankers with average technique and incredible fitness get selected over big, experienced, skilled players with not-so-good fitness. At your size, this is what you should be concentrating on!! Fitness is the key! Look at players like Kabamba Floors (Sharks, South Africa)George Smith (Brumbies, Aus), Phil Waugh (Waratahs, Aus), Serge Betsen (Biaritz, France) and Neil Back (England). None of them are huge flankers, but their fitness and courage/commitment is second to none.

Betsen and Back are the only respectable ones!!!

I agree commitment to the breakdown and tackled ball area are the key skills for a backrower...but its easier to perform there with the added size

Players like Colin Charvis (Newport, Wales), Sione Lauaki (Cheifs, NZ), Martin Corry (Leicester, Eng), Danie Roussow (Bulls, RSA) are what the international stage should be seeing more of!

These players are committed at the breakdown but still contribute in a meaningful way in other areas of the pitch, particularly the scrum and with ball in hand!

[Anonymoushead]

Betsen and Back are the only respectable ones!!!

You have to be kidding me! Both have retired now for starters. For seconds, George Smith is one of the greatest flankers to ever play the game. They changed the laws of rugby because of this guy when he was only 20yo because he was simply so dominant a ball theif! At that time he was hands-down-flat the best flanker in the world at 19-21 years old. No other flanker can say that. At this moment in time he's definitely one of the top 2 or 3 flankers on the planet, and easily the best player out of the lot I mentioned, although without his dreadlocks he doesn't stand out nearly as much. Which is another tip for flankers: buy something bright headgear or something that stands out! You'll have the coaches saying, "man that guy is everywhere!".

Floors and Waugh are both great players who occasionally earn an International cap for Australia or France, despite them both being about 5'8! And Kabamba Floors weight 78kg (170lbs)! Waugh is a chunky little bastard though. Both earn International caps for two of the biggest rugby nations in the world despite being almost a foot shorter than some of their competition. "Respectable"? I think they qualify!!

[Anonymoushead]

Kabamba Floors plays for the Cheetahs :P had to say it

Thanks for the correction. He's a bloody saffer. Those cheating bastards are all the same to me.

[monatu]

Players like Colin Charvis (Newport, Wales), Sione Lauaki (Cheifs, NZ), Martin Corry (Leicester, Eng), Danie Roussow (Bulls, RSA) are what the international stage should be seeing more of!

cant reaaaaaly compare them to G.Smith, Betsen, Martyn Williams, Waugh, Burger (you can kinda compare them to burger, hes a big guy) cause the ones your talking about are classic blindside flankers who can play #8. not opensiders like the smith's. williams, betsens, Burgers, waughs etc

[Snowman723]

Thanks for the correction. He's a bloody saffer. Those cheating bastards are all the same to me.

x2

****ing boks

Oh , and I am VERY aware of Back's and Bestsen's retirement....cept I think Serge is still playing a season for Biaritz

cant reaaaaaly compare them to G.Smith, Betsen, Martyn Williams, Waugh, Burger (you can kinda compare them to burger, hes a big guy) cause the ones your talking about are classic blindside flankers who can play #8. not opensiders like the smith's. williams, betsens, Burgers, waughs etc

Yeah I guess I'm a little bias (see sig - positions lol)

[SD101]

off topic but 6 nations starts tommorow.

just sayin'

[ElWilson]

Yeah. Back in the days of Neil Back, when he was trying to make it into U18 England, everytime there was a scrum near his tryline, the 8 would just pick it up and run over him everytime, coz he was so small and hadn't mastered a technique.

He went away, hit some weights and really worked on his tackling technique.
Also, he managed to complete the 23 levels of the bleep test.

Basically, if you're playing flanker, it doesn't really mean **** all about your strength aslong as you're strong enough to play in general. If you just get low enough and work on your agility of getting back to your feet and scavanging the ball - you'll be good rather than working on the DL.

[wonderwhy]

play hooker for the University of Nevada, Reno. some of my stats are in my sig.

bench - 308 lbs
squat - 440 lbs
deadlift - 462 lbs

in my experience, raw strength, while it should be trained, is not as important as technique and conditioning.

[monatu]

play hooker for the University of Nevada, Reno. some of my stats are in my sig.

bench - 308 lbs
squat - 440 lbs
deadlift - 462 lbs

in my experience, raw strength, while it should be trained, is not as important as technique and conditioning.

are your stats on par with most US college players? or are you well above average in your team?

[wonderwhy]

I can't really speak for other programs, but I am much stronger than most of my teammates.