During a game of rugby every player is expected to work at high intensities and little breaks for the duration of a game, at the top end of the scale at rugby, professionals run on average 4000 metres to 6000 metres per game, this shows the sort of endurance a rugby player needs.
Every player within a side must have the same capabilities, be able to tackle, go for 80 minutes, run break through a defensive line as there is no room for any weaknesses at the top level. Players must also all be in a complete state of physical, mental and social well- being to be able to compete with opposition.
Playing rugby at the highest level isn’t just playing rugby, it’s a lifestyle, as everything you do effects performance, such as not eating healthily, not attending training sessions, taking drink and drugs, these all have a detrimental effect on a player and could cost him his place in the team.
The demands of a hooker
a hookers cardiovascular and speed endurance are usually not as good as those of the backline but they’re significantly higher then the backline in terms of power and muscular strength. These aspects affect what sort of training program a rugby player would receive:
Specific testing for rugby players
The following tests would be the most applicable to rugby players; some will be designated just for backs or just for forwards:
^: Test designed for backs and loose forwards
*: Test designed for lifters in line-outs
**: Test designed for jumpers in line-outs
Taken from:
http://www.ptonthenet.com/articles/sports_specific/rugby_periodization_training.htm
Technically the hooker has to be clinical as he is at the centre of the forwards set pieces, such as the line-out and scrum, he has a pivotal role due to the fact that he decides whether his team recovers ball or not.
At the line-out, the hooker throws the ball in from the touchline to his own side whilst the opposition is competing for the ball.
It is vital that the hooker’s technique is near enough perfect to ensure that his team keeps possession of the ball.
The hooker plays a key role at the scrum as well as he hooks the ball back from the middle of the scrum and keeps possession.
From this description of what a hooker does, you can probably see that a hooker plays a key role in the game of rugby.
Injuries
Due to the demands of the sport, rugby is a some what dangerous activity and has the injuries to prove it. Some of the injuries which occur on the field can be avoided, or the severity decreased with the best possible rugby methods, specific strength work and conditioning.
Although some injuries are unavoidable with dangerous or missed timed tackles, miss use of the boot in rucks and mauls, bad refereeing or even bad conditions and problems with the environment such as hard ground.
