| Rugby players spend considerably more playing | | | | massive players can be employed for the more |
| time in physical contact and contest with | | | | static areas of engagement.For professional |
| opponents than players in other forms of | | | | rugby, players are often chosen on the basis |
| football.Much of this contact involves | | | | of their size and apparent strength but are |
| extended grappling and wrestling, but what is | | | | then not really expected to work to become |
| also characteristic of rugby is the amount of | | | | significantly stronger. Much strength |
| time spent attempting to drive forward under | | | | training in rugby appears to have the aim of |
| loads considerably heavier than bodyweight. | | | | generating hypertrophy - increasing muscle |
| Obviously this is so in the scrum and maul, | | | | size and thus body mass - or of maintaining |
| but also at the tackle. Both ball-carrier and | | | | strength levels rather than seriously |
| tackler may strive to drive one another | | | | exploring the potential for markedly |
| backward for an extended time after | | | | increased power.Soccer, Australian football |
| engagement. American football and rugby | | | | and rugby league are continuous-flow type |
| league are also primarily collision sports, | | | | games, whereas rugby and, to a much greater |
| but their tackles tend to terminate much more | | | | extent, American football are characterised |
| quickly.Recognition of the importance of | | | | by frequent stoppages and thus require lower |
| physical strength has led to a tendency for | | | | levels of aerobic fitness. But I see little |
| rugby selectors to favour increasingly | | | | evidence that rugby coaches have fully |
| heavier players even for backline positions. | | | | realised the potential this provides to gain |
| A modern professional rugby team is likely to | | | | a competitive edge by requiring their |
| average over 100kg bodyweight, compared with | | | | players, backs and forwards, to seriously |
| less than 95kg and less than 90kg for rugby | | | | train for strength.I would suggest that, |
| league and Australian football respectively. | | | | given the development of very well-drilled |
| Increased bodyweight appears to confer no | | | | coordinated defensive lines, the next stage |
| advantage in soccer.No valid size comparison | | | | in the evolution of rugby is likely to |
| can be made with players in American | | | | involve a concentration on the identification |
| football. Its use of specialist teams means | | | | of and development of heavy, very mobile |
| that individual players are only on the field | | | | players who possess very high-range explosive |
| for limited periods and therefore really | | | | strength. |