Welcome the Rugby World Cup!

Most of us have been waiting for this day for some time (well rugby fans anyway). Counting down the clock in anticipation of rugby’s biggest event. It started today.. the 7th Rugby World Cup. Hosts New Zealand took on, and beat Tonga.

Having being fortunate enough to have experienced playing rugby at Professional level (although cut too short!), training and competing with many International and World Cup players, I know the anticipation that every player has when the ‘Big One’ comes around. It is every player’s dream to play for his country since the inaugural competition was first staged in New Zealand back in 1987.

The tournament has now moved onto such an enormous stage from its origins. Running for 45 days with 20 nations competing in a total of 45 games, with this first game staring today (9th September) and running all the way through to the final on the 23rd October. Each finalist will have to play 7 (test) games within this period. The 7th obviously being the grand final! This makes it the 3rd largest sporting event.

Indeed the statistics are frightening (courtesy of the IRB):

Competing teams will bring a combined weight of 80 tonnes of equipment to the tournament (not including the players!!)

1388 match balls will be used over the tournament

97,800 meals will be eaten by competing teams within the hotels

121,540 bed nights have been booked by officials alone over the tournament (equivalent to 332 years)

Each squad consists 30 players, who will rely heavily on all the back room staff to get them through the gruelling yet wonderful journey that lies ahead. The Scotland team spent a gruelling 12 week training camp preparing for the competition, prior to flying out to Oz in order to acclimatize themselves for the New Zealand competition, before their big start against Romania tomorrow.

Having worked and travelled with professional sports teams during my career, including the last 8 years as Head Physiotherapist for Hibernian Football Club on their Preseason, and European adventures I realise the importance of the 3 ‘P’s: Preparation, Preparation, Preparation, when embarking on such a trip. It will really make the difference between a successful and unsuccessful World Cup campaign.  Little things really do make the difference, no matter how small.

Over the next few weeks I will be looking at rugby diet, injuries and physical conditioning.

However for the moment – I wish all the Scotland players and the backroom team all the best in the adventure ahead!