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I have to give up Rugby

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Replies

  • KinoM
    KinoM Posts: 359 Member
    I went through something similar to you a few years back, severed two ligaments in my knee and tore the cartilage, and had to give up rugby forever.

    Now I cycle an awful lot, and enjoy it. I run a bit too, and I'll be doing more once I get a decent sports knee brace. Also been getting into surfing in the last year or so.

    I hadn't found anything that was quite as intense a training experience though until I joined a boxing club. Great comradery, banter and the like, and a great tough workout. It's given me a chance to learn the physical skills of a whole new sport, and you don't need to rotate on the knees at all.

    Don't know what a fight is like yet, my first is in 12 weeks, but otherwise it's a great substitution IMHO.

    I'm also out long enough at this stage that I've started assistant coaching the minis in my old rugby club. You get there, eventually.
  • lngbrd
    lngbrd Posts: 279 Member
    Surfing, paddleboarding, kayaking
  • Lonestar5775
    Lonestar5775 Posts: 740 Member
    I know golf is no comparison to the activity level of rugby but it can be great competition against others and yourself. I think strain to the knee would be minimal. Your size and strength would be to your advantage. Best luck finding something you enjoy!
  • andielyn
    andielyn Posts: 235 Member
    I didn't read through all the replies but maybe try coaching rugby? There is a big need for rugby coaches. My husband is an ex-rugby player and had to give it up after a knee injury. He still played baseball after that (I think) but he got into coaching to stay in the game and expose others to the game.
  • yo_andi
    yo_andi Posts: 2,178 Member
    thats sounds advice, thanks very much, at least to deal with the biterness of stopping,

    if i go and watch straight away it will just tease me!

    Join a triathlon team or a running club for the social aspect and a decent workout.
  • TJ_Rugger
    TJ_Rugger Posts: 166 Member
    I've been playing for 12 years and just had to hang up the boots... I was playing with a messed up knee for about about 10 of those years and just rocking knee braces. The Dr finally told me to stop due to concussions I had in college.

    So I feel ya man.

    Before I got into rugby in college I was big into mountain bike racing. I would say if you want the social aspect of rugby it can be hard to find.... rolling 40 deep to a pub after a match covered in sweat, blood, and mud with the other team.. drinking and singing (some clubs still sing). Ruggers are a rare breed my friend.

    I would say see if your town has hash runners (group runs with a pub crawl), tough mudders might be a good fit or other running and cycling groups have a pretty good social aspect... or can.

    I personally am going back into the mountain biking role.

    Good luck.....
    HOLD FAST!
  • Happy_Niss
    Happy_Niss Posts: 95 Member
    Weight training and yoga for flexibility!
    A lot of the time, active people forget these two things that are equally as important as cardio: Flexibility and Strength Training. These can help keep you from getting injured again.
  • simonkurth
    simonkurth Posts: 395 Member
    Ex rugby player here too. I have knee problems as well. I love to mountain bike - not a team sport but I love the burn. Also anything outdoors keeps me sane as well. More often than not you'll bump into other like minded people. Nothing replaces the team spirit of a rugby team but it sounds like its time to move on and find other avenues. Keep lifting and find other ways to keep your fitness going.

    Thought of managing ? Great way to stay in the thick of it.

    Good luck
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