The Rugby Guide For Anyone

Whether you're a seasoned player or one who indulges in the occasional Sunday-afternoon touch session, or just someone who's a living-room couch fan, this guide gives you a clue as to how to find everything you need and want as a rugby enthusiast.

The Gear

Footwear

• Boots:

The right footwear is essential for anyone intending to be a useful rugger. If you intend to pull jaw-dropping sidesteps ala Sarevi and leave your opponents eating your dust, you'll need a worthy pair of studded boots that will hold up on the usually wet, muddy, useless excuses for turf we find here in SingSing.

To this end, football boots are widely available in stores and on eBay, and should do a satisfactory job. To find football boots on eBay, simple click on the Sports category, then Sporting Goods sub-category and search for 'football boots'; or simply type 'football boots' in the keyword search.

The typical trusted brands include Adidas, Nike, Puma, Umbro, Lotto etc. Of course, if you're a serious player who participates in leagues for 15's, 10's and 7's, you'll know to look for boots with the 4 by 2 stud configuration, with steel studs naturally. But if you're one of the purists and insist on rugby boots (none of that association with football wimps who crumble in pain at every slightest touch), then eBay is the place to look for these since finding true rugby boots on this island is like finding a talented singer on Singapore Idol. Again, just type 'rugby boots' into the keyword search BUT also select Search Worldwide, and you'll be spoilt for choice with just about any brand from Nike, Adidas, Canterbury and more.

If you're more of a leisurely touch player, turf shoes are also adequate on the rare, full-head-of-grass fields. The brands mentioned above would also stock a range of such turf shoes.

• Socks

Oh come on now, any old pair of smelly socks will do...really. But if you must have the really thick ones that will hide the fact that you have no calves or disproportionately huge ones, and don't mind that they will inevitably give you athlete's foot pungence, then Canterbury socks are the ones for you. Just do a similar search, but this time look for 'Canterbury socks'...Duh.

Jerseys

Gone are the times when rugby could only be played in ugly long-sleeved, hooped, collared jerseys. Nowadays, any durable top will do. Fans however, I'm sure, would be interested in knowing where else they can procure their favourite teams' jerseys without emptying their wallet at the one sole specialised rugby store in Singapore. Again do a search for 'rugby jersey' or browse under the Sports>Sporting Goods category listings. You'll find almost any team jersey from the All Blacks and England to the Brumbies and Waratahs.

For the serious test player or just the poseurs that want to look cool and menacing. The latest tight-fitting climalite material jerseys can also be found on eBay. Search for climalite jersey (you should know how to do this by now)- and opponents will be sliding off you like grease on teflon. Be warned - not recommended for the typical beer-bellied rugby enthusiast.

Rugby Balls

Yes, you do need balls to play the game. Just like with people who play rugby themselves, balls come in a variety of sizes. Typically, size 5s are the general rule and used in test matches. Size 3 and 4 are usually left to the kiddies. And Size 1 and 2 are never seen on a rugby pitch - how typical. Generally, when it comes to ball brands, you can trust me when I say "You want to get your hands on Gilbert's balls!". Search for Gilbert rugby ball on eBay; but balls by Mitre, Adidas, Summit and others are worth grabbing too. I also shouldn't need to tell you that the little miniature balls are cute and nice to play with, but completely useless if you're a true player.

Kicking Tee

So you're the designated kicker. If you've already got your Jonny Wilkinson routine down pat, then all you need now is a kicking tee. If you do the usual search for kicking tee however, it's likely you'll only find 'american football' kicking tees or just some really wicked T-shirts. If you prefer to set your kicks up the traditional way with sand, do a similar search for sand and bucket, then get back to me and tell me how much sand goes for these days.

Protective Gear

   

Well yes, I do appreciate we ruggers (women included) play a real men's game and we mean machines don't need the industrial-strength helmets and centurion-style armour and shoulder pads of certain delicate wannabes who require distinct, specialised teams to defend, to attack, and to kick. However, some of us do have good looks to protect and we don't all want to end up looking like a typical toothless England front row.

• Mouth guard

To keep your pearly whites intack, a good set of the ol' mouth guard is a must. Just search for mouth guard or gum shield. Please do remember to check that the condition is stated as brand new and not second-hand. And no, ball gags do not do quite the same job.

• Scrum cap

                           

If you want to avoid concussions that leave you forgetting who you are and why you're wearing next to nothing in a hospital bed with a drugged out guy in handcuffs at the bed next to yours, then you should get yourself a decent scrum cap or head guard. Again, you should have figured out how to search for scrum caps from manufacturers like Kooga and Canterbury, or your brain probably isn't your most vital asset needing protection. Scrum caps also serve good protection from those other players who have unhealthy Tyson-like appetites for ears.

There you have it. The complete guide to all things rugby that you can find on eBay. Now I recommend you get all the rugby stuff you need on eBay, gear up, then go stalking unsuspecting colleagues from behind office cubicles. Attack them with flying, crunching tackles worthy of a Springbok, get up, do the opening line of the hakka, then run away like a little girl. Its probably the one thing thats more satisfying than a game of rugby itself.

Go have a ball...