Thank God it’s over. For the European rugby player, the end of February is an unofficial public holiday, as it means that the harsh, relentless darkness of winter has shut it’s curtains for another year.
It’s a time for unwavering celebration, as we happily part ways with our thermals, look forward to seeing our calves again, and can now literally see the light at the end of the tunnel.
It also means a return to the pitch for training.
To keep the field playable for each weekend’s game, and to manage the mental state of the groundsman (who rarely smiles during this time of year), we’ve been kicked out of our own home.
For the past three months, we’ve been sent every which way to complete our sessions; an indoor University basketball court one day, a primary-school playground the next.
It’s all to no avail though, as come the weekend the playing pitch is reminiscent of a West Country family farm, with potholes big enough to sink your ankles in thanks to the non-stop rain that’s been hammering its surface.
We can’t complain though. No, we are rugby players, built to withstand all sorts of conditions. We will go out there into battle, brave the mud, wind and rain, then wash it all off with a cold shower afterwards.
However, wouldn’t it be nice to be able to play on a pitch that remains in pristine condition, week in, week out, regardless of the weather?
Where kickers would rarely lose their footing, crowds are entertained with vintage southern-hemisphere running rugby, and heaven forbid, a scrum might be completed without collapsing five times beforehand?
For clubs like London Saracens and Cardiff Blues, this luxury is a reality. Both clubs have invested heavily in artificial 4G match day pitches, and from what we have seen, are reaping the rewards that playing on a consistent pitch brings.
I believe that other European clubs should follow the pathway in opting for artificial surfaces, as evidence has shown there are huge benefits for both player and spectator.
I can hear all you traditionalists and purists moaning and shaking your head at the back of the grandstand. “Ridiculous” you might say, “this is not American football!” And six months ago, I would have agreed with you.
My skepticism was threefold.
Firstly, I loved the unpredictability of the weather and embraced the fact that the elements and outside factors are part and parcel of the game. They force the player to adapt, and require a greater skill set, ultimately improving your awareness and ability.
Secondly, as a player who has had a history of knee injuries, I questioned the impact of a harder surface on my joints. Would the constant jarring of my bones be like running on the road?
Finally, I had an issue with the fairness of only a couple of clubs having the advantage of access to the 4G pitches.
Why should they play every home fixture on a surface more conducive to achieving try bonus points, while others battle it out in a penalty shoot-out and once a year get the chance to play on their hallowed turf?
After witnessing Saracens and Cardiff compete in the first half of the English premiership and Pro 12 respectively, and hearing the comments of opposition clubs who visited their grounds, I’ve become an artificial convert, and believe that it’s the way forward for European rugby, even if only two of my three hesitations were answered.
After spending the best part of the past five years in the United Kingdom, I realise that the weather will always be an issue, and future forecasts show that it ain’t getting any better. There is still wind and rain regardless of the surface you play on, so players have to adapt.
Having an artificial pitch means fewer games will be postponed, and supporters witness a faster game where the hits are still as big and the contest as fierce.
The injury statistics of games played on 4G pitches also put my mind at ease. There was no indication that playing on this surface would increase the risk of injury nor put excess strain on joints that were deteriorating.
The combination of a sand and rubber infill on astro turf pitches means a sympathetic surface where the body is under no more stress than it would be on a grass track.
The only issue that I have is that not every club has the funds to afford a 4G pitch. It’s like a Formula One team having access to the latest top-of-the-range engine, while the others play catch up with their standard motor.
In the modern game, where clubs and individuals are always looking for the one-percenters, where success or defeat can come down to minute details, having a 4G pitch is a massive advantage.
However, having a 4G pitch doesn’t win you matches, made evident by Cardiff languishing in the bottom half of the ladder, while Saracens continued success began well before this year.
Ultimately, you can change the surface, but you can’t change the player. Rugby matches will always be decided by that one bit of skill, that big hit, or that unfortunate error, regardless of the environment the game’s played in.
That’s the beauty of our great game.
jeznez
Roar Guru
Macau used to play in the HK rugby comps but they have stopped - they were just competing at a club level though - well below the national standard. Taiwan operate as Chinese Taipei and are ranked around the 60 mark in world rugby - they are frequently at the HK 7s but about 30 places lower than HK in the IRB rankings. The teams mostly play each other in 7s tournaments and then within the Asian 5 Nations structure when they are in the same division. I couldn't find the current divisions but the 2013 split looked like this. The Top 5 was South Korea, Phillippines, UAE, HK and Japan Div 1 was Kazakhstan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Sri Lanka and Thailand Div 2 was Singapore, India, Iran and Malaysia Div 3 was Guam, Indonesia, China and Qatar Div 4 was Lebanon, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Laos Div 5 was Cambodia and Brunei The divisions operate on promotion and relegation although I think there is also some relaxation of those rules in the lower divisions. Obviously Japan are the power house of the region
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Thanks mate for the article. Amazing to see rugby is getting all the corporate support while football is struggling! And they really have maximised the profits from the Sevens tournament! Do you think they might also ask rich biz ppl from mainland China to invest in rugby? Shenzen isn't far, plenty of money there. I currently work with Hong-Kongese and Taiwanese aussies (great ppl although too hard working for my very low standards haha) and they keep telling me the money is on the mainland now. Am more into far east Asia (Japan and Korea) but still love the whole Asian continent. Any HK vs Macau or Taiwan derby at XV?
jeznez
Roar Guru
I always used to find a dominant scrum became even more dominant on a muddy pitch - the technical challenge lifts as footing becomes unsteady and once a scrum gets moving forward the momentum counts even more against the team going backwards in the wet. Have never played on a frozen pitch but can vouch for these 4G surfaces giving similar level of comfort underfoot to a turf pitch. Loved my time in SG but have to say getting to play in cooler and dryer months in HK is great! See below for a great article about the strength of the game in HK recently - http://www.scmp.com/sport/hong-kong/article/1192429/jewel-crown-helps-propel-massive-growth
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
that's interesting. no issue at scrumtime? I always thought synthetic pitches would be too hard to hold your ground and push. Do you think it favors stronger scrums/weaker ones? On hard frozen grounds I remember our (strong) pack being even more dominant as opponents couldn't use the mud to their advantage. More/better traction too when its hard/dry. You guys seem to have pretty good facilities in HK and SG!
jeznez
Roar Guru
I've had issue with the older pitches - well do I recall a Growlers game up at Republic Polytechnic at Woodlands - 1.30pm on a scorcher and guys boots were falling apart as the glue in them melted. The newest pitch here in HK is Happy Valley 8 (where the SCC played Valley this year in pre-season) that is an awesome pitch to play on.
SkinnyKid
Roar Rookie
Jez, I actually prefer the 4Gs to grass. We have one in SG out at Turf City now same at HKFCs. Only issue is sunny days. They act like a bit of bitumen on summers day.
Bakkies
Guest
Summer season won't happen in Europe. - Amateur season can't be moved. Cricket in England (some clubs use cricket ground) and GAA are popular Summer passtimes. - Too hot in France and Italy. The French like to their holidays in August. - Rugby is a Winter sport.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
Hybrid pitches are the go up there.
Lion Down Under
Guest
Or move to a summer NH season AND have the 4G (or hybrid pitches). A global season will bring massive benefit to rugby union. As I understand it FIFA / UEFA don't allow certain games to be played on artificial pitches so any rugby club that shares a ground with an association football club or any large rugby stadium that wants to attract big UEFA Champions League Finals or international association football (mainly the Millenium Stadium but also Stade de France) can't use 4G pitches. Maybe the WRU / RFU / FFR should lobby UEFA / FIFA on this one.
Justin3
Guest
Move to a NH summer season and stay on the grass!
jeznez
Roar Guru
We get the 4G's here in HK and have to say they are very good. Nothing beats grass for me though. That said the HK rugby season is played in a vastly milder and dryer winter.
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
Nice article Adam! Glad to see that pro rugby players in the NH are like all other 'normal beings', they wait for winter to end even if they all know 1 March is rather symbolic and they can still get plenty of rain and cold! Re pitches, as a NH guy myself who played both football and rugby, I have many not so fond memories of frozen pitches, muddy, sticky ones, bald ones etc. As we play football/rugby from end of Sept to April/May in the NH, a bad pitch under terrible weather is the norm. I keep reading that hybrid pitches are better than 100% synthetic ones although the 4g you mention seem to be less abrasive than the old versions. Have you ever played on a hybrid one, and are they rugby clubs in the UK who have one? I think that's what Arsenal have at Emirates.