Are we expecting too much of our players?

Wouldn't it be nice to have all our players without injury and fit. What a different team the Wabs would be.

Can you imagine if we had QC KB JOC Drew AAH BB Digby Sanchez Lealiifano Macabe Mogg Speight Shippers and a lot more all available at the same time.

The forwards list is just as impressive.

We have an absolutely brilliant number of world class players in this country, apart from the fact that it is such a brutal sport in terms of injury.

I could name possibly two or three out of the above list who have not been out for significant parts of this season.

Is the game too hard on our players?
Discuss

I agree, but I really struggle to think of any way to soften the game that wouldn't ruin what I love about it - big forwards, fast backs, the pace and the collisions.

Having said that: a really firm policy on concussions might go a way towards stopping the lengthy spells out that Berrick etc. have had.

I'm not sure if everyone is fit at the same time it makes ourteam better. To many cooks.

List and workload management is the only real way forward IMHO. The issue with that in the pro game is the fact that the Super franchises and the Wallabies want their pound of flesh. Obviously there is also the appropriate strength and condition training. Perhaps we could learn a thing or two from a game like Ice Hockey, which in spite of all the padding is just as hard on the body. The NHL players rack up some serious miles during a season and must surely have a strategy for managing that.

I can't see a lot that can be done rules wise to make it easier without taking the things we love about the game away. It's a contact sport, after all. Aussie Rules has softened the rules considerably and I think the game is poorer for it (apart from cracking down on the cheap shot, which I think they are absolutely right to do).

It would be interesting to develop a method to detect early signs of injury - pre injury.

How hard can it be?

This is going to sound strange but injuries are good for spectators. Not seeing them occur but what they cause. They bring variety and change. How boring would it be if the same 22, year in year out ran on to play the same ABs and Springboks 22, 3 times a year?
Different players brings different skill sets, different options, different thinking. If the payers were indestructible we'd have the Prince Charles syndrome, where he has waited his whole life for his mum to move on so he can get the top job.

Some injuries are unavoidable especially if they are a result of a collision, fall, landing awkwardly etc. But others are down to technique, conditioning and player management. Rugby more and more is becoming a squad game. It's no longer just about the 15 that start or even the match day 22/23. Picking your top players every week they are available is really tempting to most coaches.

Up here in the NH where the season is much longer that's not possible so squads are even more important. Just look at the Top 14 where most teams have 30+ international grade players and then their up and coming players. As the number of games in the SH increase the teams who can manage their squads the best will have a distinct advantage.

I agree with P.tah injuries create opportunities. If it wasn't for an injury to Dougie Howlett at the start of the season Simon Zebo would still be a promising youngster looking for his chance at Munster. Instead he's an Irish international and established in the Munster team. There are plenty of stories like Zebo's where players got their big break due to an unfortunate injury for someone else.

I expect we can only expect to see more injuries as strength out paces resilience (which it seems to be doing now).

Each of the Super Nations are in the same position, however they have alot broader depth due to their third tier.
Their third tier wasnt born over night, it was in place well before rugby went professional.
Before rugby went pro, we always had league knocking on our door - SA & NZ - rugby was their culture it was inbred.
Now its pro we have other nations plucking players out of our third tier and that weakens the depth, the foundations to sustain quaility competition and thus growth.
Our third tier, we would all like it built, and I do think it can be done - but...
I get more enjoyment watch 3rd, 2nd 1st grade on a Saturday afternoon than going to a Waratah's game - there is some quality football played, and it's great for the family.

I'm a bit the same way these days. Still love my Super rugby, but probably love club footy even more now.

Getting on the piss after the game and during the playing/intense training season can't be too brilliant in recovery (which I am told is just as important as the training itself). I sometimes wonder how much affect this has in some of the players getting repetitive, niggling muscle strain type injuries.

Not saying they shouldn't celebrate or be abstainers, just saying it may be a factor.

I think we have always expected too much of our Rockstar Players.

In the olden days of shamateurism, the elite were in demand for various invitational games, Barbars, etc not to mention actually turning out for their Club for more than a very loose handful of guest appearances as is the case today.

Before Shamateurism, players on National and State duty went on tour for months on end.

As others have noted above, at the top levels it is all about getting depth in the squad to cover injuries and to manage player fatigue. This makes the Adam Two-Dads player more attractive for rep and national teams than the specialist.

In terms of injury management, just look at the injury lists in Cross Country Volleyball and Mungoball when doing the weekly footytips. Heavensgame is no different with lots of obvious first choice players unavailable.

At the start of this season, there are not many who would have nominated Archie's Dad as our first choice #10, much less bet on him getting two MOM gongs against the Taffies. Who would have picked Aussie Mike to be the one to step up and save the day?

How many 10's have the Super Franchises gone through this year alone?

The bloody Darkness ended up using their 5th choice whitebaiting expert as their 10 to claim temporary custodianship of Bill.

probably we do expect too much - but thats the way we've (and Kiwis and Saffas Poms etc) been brought up as sportsmen to WIN - the nature of pure tribalism
i remenber my kids as young nippers being involved in junior schools sports and in early grades (1-3), participation was the catchcry. My little bloke won the 50m dash and got the same ribbon as the fat kid who came last. Jeez he was pissed because he strived to win and the other kid nearly walked and found it hard to understand.
Having said that I understand the benefits of all kids participating but it is an interesting chat after the event to justify all the same.