Australian sides and their woeful studs (or boots)

[Elfster]

OK, a rant or finally a verbal explosion of omething that has been annoying me for ages. And the Rebels versus Chiefs game finally did it for me.

Why do Australian sides always seem to struggle with their footing on wet/ grassy fields so much more than other sides? Do these guys only come to the game with one length of studs and use them regardless of the conditions? On the weekend the Rebels were falling all over the place: it was wet and the ground had longish grass but they just couldn't seem to hold their footing. And this seems to be the bane of a lot of Australian sides. Granted Australian play in drier conditions than some other countries, but is it too hard not to wear different boots or put in longer studs to adjust to the conditions?

With the Rebels game, one would have hoped that the players or staff would have realised that we are falling over excessively and thus at half time put on longer studs. But no, the players still looked like they were on an ice rink. Tries were scored by a simple change of direction and the defending players too often lost their footing.

Though I thought it was particularly obvious with that game it is something I have noticed with Australian sides for a while. They don't seeem to have appropriate wet weather boots or studs.

 

[Reddy!]

Yeh I have noticed the same. I have seen a lot of Australian players make a break, try and change direction and then slip over...pretty embarrassing really.

 

[Gooch]

It seems to be more of an Aussie problem than other countries. For the life of me, I have no idea why this is. I have 2 sets of boots that I train and play in, 1 for the dry, 1 for wet. You would like to think that with all the preparation and training and professionalism of the sport these days, someone would mention it to these guys.

 

[MrMouse]

I think a lot of it comes down to the use of blades, particularly in the backs, and other moulded boots.

You simply can't go past studs, and I'll share a secret. I never ended up face down in a scrum, and I was renowned for my scrummaging abilities. In part, due to my brutal hit, mesmerising eyes and self-belief, but also importantly because every serious game of rugby I ever played, I wore long studs.

You wear boots out faster because the studs drive up through the sole, but jeez, these guys are pros with boots coming out of their ears! If you wear the footwear which provides most traction, you won't fall over as much. In the backs, they should have blades I admit for dry firm surfaces, but also screwies. In the pigs, screwies or screwies. If you ask nicely, you can wear 9mm on a cement pitch.

 

[cyclopath]

OK, a rant or finally a verbal explosion of omething that has been annoying me for ages. And the Rebels versus Chiefs game finally did it for me.

Why do Australian sides always seem to struggle with their footing on wet/ grassy fields so much more than other sides? Do these guys only come to the game with one length of studs and use them regardless of the conditions? On the weekend the Rebels were falling all over the place: it was wet and the ground had longish grass but they just couldn't seem to hold their footing. And this seems to be the bane of a lot of Australian sides. Granted Australian play in drier conditions than some other countries, but is it too hard not to wear different boots or put in longer studs to adjust to the conditions?

With the Rebels game, one would have hoped that the players or staff would have realised that we are falling over excessively and thus at half time put on longer studs. But no, the players still looked like they were on an ice rink. Tries were scored by a simple change of direction and the defending players too often lost their footing.

Though I thought it was particularly obvious with that game it is something I have noticed with Australian sides for a while. They don't seeem to have appropriate wet weather boots or studs.

Maybe the poncy orange / green / aquamarine boots don't come with a proper stud option?

 

[MrMouse]

Maybe the poncy orange / green / aquamarine boots don't come with a proper stud option?

Oh yes, I admit mine came in black, black or black. Actually, that's a lie. Canterbury are black...with a red trim for those flashy sideline runs.

 

[HG]

I thought they were more like this.
[video=youtube;we9_CdNPuJg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg[/video]

 

[MrMouse]

I thought they were more like this.
[video=youtube;we9_CdNPuJg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=we9_CdNPuJg[/video]

That explains a LOT about Richard Brown!

 

[REDinCPT]

i'd like to see the return of the full ankle boot, particularly the adidas "french cap". i'm sure the reason for the demise of the ankle boot is that slow fat props fancied themselves as being as lithe and skillful as their backline team mates but could ankle boots actually prevent injury?

maybe big kev would have played last weekend if had laced up a pair of french caps the weekend before. are there any podiartrists out there who could offer an opinion?

 

[Doc]

They are also starting to research the injury impact of wearing blades. Been long thought they cause problems and finally looking at it.

One big problem at the level below professional is finding studs, esp in Brisbane. Near impossible, fields are hard and no one wants. Go elsewhere in the world and its the opposite. I see tight-5 players on a weekly basis in State squads and even the HPU turn up in blades.

Is no excuse though at the Super level, not to have right gear for right conditions though.