Before Leigh Halfpenny takes a shot at goal, he takes off five articles of clothing.
Despite playing fullback, he always dons (and doffs) a ‘scrum’ cap. His jersey has the maximal sewn-in shoulder pads. His hamstrings are adorned with tape. If it is cold, he has skin-tight long sleeves under his jersey. He has mouthguard A for exit punts, mouthguard B for drop goals, and mouthguard C for conversions.
Pierre Spies and Victor Matfield used to sport heavy plaster of Paris-impregnated gauze forearm bandages, which were useful as battering rams.
Some players love accessories. Red tape criss-crossed over thighs, ears flattened by migraine-inducing head straps, and cauliflower-reducing ear-wraps. Alun Wyn Jones picks one ear to accessorise; he alternates.
Elton Jantjies uses every plaster the physio has; by halftime he looks like a mummy escaped from a crypt.
At the other end of the spectrum are minimalists, like Steven Kitshoff and Michael Hooper: socks down at the ankles, just shorts, boots, and a jersey.
Unencumbered, they rumble around the pitch, looking naked and happy.
Sportsmen are notoriously superstitious. Probably, one great game, wearing this or that, turned into a ‘must-wear elbow pad’ neurosis.
Changerooms are nervous places. Having a dressing routine can calm the stomach. Tying the left bootlaces first, every time, or fitting that scrum cap just perfectly, may help the nauseous player focus on his pre-game.
Safety is key, of course. But is some of this merely psychological? Are we becoming too added on?
Which did you prefer as a player?
Mr Hollywood
Guest
For me it depends on which sport I play. The bare minimum for rugby. I even prefer to play with no jersey. Though I will always wear shorts. Swimming is a different matter. When I go down to my local pool I take the fast lane and if anyone gets in my way I can get quite angry. Every length or two I usually have to pull out my snorkel and yell out “out my way, you’re going too slow!” I wear a mask and flippers also. This all adds to my pace.
Ralph
Roar Guru
In my minds eye I am picturing some of the AB backs (early 90's maybe) using a sort of clip on the top bridge of their noses supposed to help them breath.. ? Obviously went the way of all good fads.
Ralph
Roar Guru
Chris Latham. He was a socks down guy.
Ralph
Roar Guru
"Alun Wyn Jones picks one ear to accessorise; he alternates." Equal rights for both ears?
tsuru
Roar Rookie
Thanks for that. I'll look for the book - "High Strung" right?
Digby
Roar Guru
Electrical tape is very important to have for sales meetings indeed!! :)
Yup
Machooka
Roar Guru
Kind of going to HELL! :)
.lexhamfox
Guest
When you mentioned the socks down it made me laugh. reminded me of my own club days getting reprimanded for my socks and Dean Richards who was always conspicuous at the back with his socks down around his ankles.
Harry Jones
Expert
Good post. Mouthguard only for me, except a wrist wrap during one season after a nasty sprain. Always liked socks down, too. And that was when you got cuts for it, hey! But I plead guilty to plenty of superstitions.
Harry Jones
Expert
Interesting I had a teammate who liked to wear tennis wrist sweat bands Kind of socceris
Blessing
Roar Rookie
Never worn any gear. Have played rugby in Zimbabwe, SA, NZ, the two years I spent in Boston and now the UK. Zimbabwe and SA, I played against some big brutes. None of them wore any extra gear, that was just the way it was. Same in NZ as well. UK was an eye opener, some of the gear, I did not even know that it existed. Remember the football player Juan Sebastian Veron? He used to have a tape just under his knee, with his socks folded half way between his knee and foot. The first time I saw a player do that was in England. This young lad happened to think that it was cool. On a rugby field! Things just don't shock me anymore, they do confuse and bewilder me. I always wonder how they move with all those accessories, does it not take their mind off the game?
Harry Jones
Expert
Hahahahh
cuw
Guest
is he the guy who was shotputter for France ? or the guy who got sued ? the y had some interesting 2nd rowers back in the 1990s :P
Aussieinexile
Roar Rookie
Thomas Castaignède was interviewed way back in 2001 and told the story about Olivier Merle, the French lock. He would never put his boots on until the very last minute before an international, and would always warm up in trainers during the week.
Lano
Guest
Yes! You've seen the hullabaloo over Folau's tweet that Hell awaits gays? So much for free speech?
Harry Jones
Expert
Cardinal sin: Having to stop to retie laces
-green peace manifesto - check
cuw
Guest
Nick Isiekwe played for England against the argies - when Lions players were absent. so 40 !!!!!!!!!!
Akari
Roar Rookie
It's usually a channel switch for me then. I am always surprised how penalties and conversions are nearly always allowed to take hours (seemingly) to complete.