Talking with Matt Smith from RUPA

Part of the personnel supporting the Reds Players is RUPA member Matt Smith who we were lucky enough to meet. So I got some questions together to learn about how RUPA works.

1. What are some of the major roles that RUPA undertakes?
To collectively develop and promote the best possible professional standards and conditions for its members, and the growth of rugby.
- to provide its members with an association dedicated to the promotion and advancement of Rugby Union.
- to promote and protect the interests of all members and to safeguard their rights at all times. 
to strive for the improvement of economic and other conditions generally and to regulate and correct abuses relative thereto;
-to secure and maintain freedom from unjust and unlawful rules and regulations affecting each members career in Rugby Union;

-to assist member in securing employment;
-to assist Members in undertaking education and development opportunities;
-to obtain benefits for all members;
-to provide a medium through which the Members may express their views on issues concerning their well-being;
-to provide legal advice and legal assistance in defence of Member's rights where deemed necessary;
- to elect from time to time Members as directors on the Boards of Directors of the ARU, ACTRU, NSWRU, RU and WARU Board.

   
2. What is the importance of having current players as part of the RUPA Board?

These are the ones that are living and breathing rugby everyday so it makes sense that these are the ones that are making decisions on what is right for the players and ultimately what is right for the game. You look at someone like our President Dean Mumm, he has played over 100 Super Rugby games, has played Overseas and is a current Wallaby. To have someone like Dean on the RUPA Board with so much experience and knowledge can only be a positive for the players and the game.

3. Does female Rugby receive help, education, employment and legality wise, that male Rugby does?
Like all female sports they are not remunerated currently like their male counterparts, RUPA are working hard on behalf of the players, for them to be remunerated fairly. Female players in Cricket and Netball have seen significant pay-rises of late from revenue derived from Broadcasting deals.

Our Female 7's players have access to a full-time Player Development Manager who is based at the Narrabeen Training facility. The PDM helps these players with Education and Vocation advice and Welfare support, as members of RUPA players also have access to the Training and Education fund. Players are eligible to claim $5000 per year towards their study and Professional Development.

4.Do all players get chances in education? Is it a requirement?
All players that are contracted to a Super Rugby team or part of the sevens program are eligible for the training and education fund as mentioned above. Players are able to claim $5000 per year and is capped at $25,00 over a players career. I.e. a player who has played for three years is able to claim $15000. Education is not a requirement but players understand the importance of having something outside of Rugby.

5. What are the RUPA awards about and how are the winners chosen/ Do the awards focus solely on the Australian Super Rugby Teams?
The annual Volvo-RUPA Awards Lunch is one of the most eagerly anticipated on the Rugby calendar. It celebrates the achievements of RUPA's members at every level, from Buildcorp NRC to Super Rugby to Australian Rugby Sevens to the Wallabies, as well as away from Rugby in the community and in study pursuits.

The RUPA Board and all of its people are incredible in how it helps not only the reds but all of the Australian teams. So thank you for answering my questions Matt. Hopefully we will catch up again soon.

Rugby Rules #4: The Points System

Understanding the point system can make watching the game much more enjoyable. It does differ to Rugby League, I think this makes it interesting.

In Rugby Union, a try is 5 points, a conversion through the goal posts is 2 points, and a penalty is 3 points. Drop-kicks (during play) are also 3 points. This does create more of an emphasis on drop goals, compared to Rugby League.

(For those unaware, Rugby League awards 4 points for a try, and 2 for conversions and penalties. 1 point is given for drop kicks mid-play.)

An Interview with Karmichael Hunt

As the Reds were travelling last week, the most recent interview I have done was on online with Karmichael Hunt. But I have managed to catch a photo with him after training.


Hi K,

Thank you for answering a few questions for me. I know that you must be thinking about the oncoming game.

But to begin, What was it that persuaded you back to Rugby Union?
I had never played Super Rugby before so when the Reds presented we with the opportunity to come on board I jumped at the chance. I played Rugby at Churchie (Anglican Church Grammar School) and again for Biarritz in France so I knew how fun the game was but as I said, I had never experienced it at the top level down under.

What is your club team?  
The mighty Norths Eagles!                                                                                                       

   

You play Outside back, what does that position involve?
Defensively you generally are trying to cover the man of the opposition on set piece. During phase you are looking to diffuse any kicking options the attack might throw at you while also lending a hand in the defensive line if need be. When a line break is made you are generally the last line of defence, so you gotta do your best to stop the opposition from scoring. In attack, you are looking to create play, back up, work the short side, kick, or create an extra man working into good positions.

Is it as hard as everyone has been claiming to adjust back after AFL and NRL?
Its been hard for me. My body took an absolute hammering during my adjustment to AFL footy. I was not design to play AFL but I did everything I could to try and succeed which ultimately meant losing a lot of my natural attributes e.g. muscle mass, speed and explosiveness. So the last few years has involved a slow rebuild into a rugby athlete again.

What has been the biggest highlight in your sporting career so far, not just Rugby?
Becoming a father to my three daughters and getting married to my best friend.

Can you tell us something about you that not many people may know?
Well, I just started my 2nd year of Uni at USQ. I'm doing a Bachelor of Science, Majoring in Psychology and minoring in in Physics. I own a Dobsonian telescope and enjoy stargazing. I also love smoking food on my Kamado Joe! I'm BBQ'n something (i.e. brisket, ribs, pulled pork, fish) every weekend at least

Can you give some advice to aspiring players, both boys and girls?
Try your hand at a variety of sports and exercises, even if you don't feel comfortable doing it at first. There is usually a lot of physical skills and mental experiences that you can gain from the differing activities, all of which will make you better at whichever task you choose to focus on most.

Thank you very much Karmichael for answering those questions for the blog.

Rugby Rule of the Week #3 - The Scrum

When a minor infringement or stoppage occurs, a scrum is one of the ways that play can resume. Scrums have a habit of breaking up the play, making things more "interesting". More than half of the team is used in the scrum, including the scrum-half (#9), who feeds the ball in, and usually out.

Have a look at this handy diagram to see how it all works:



[Source: http://www.rugbyhow.com/rugby-positions.html]

The scrum-half puts the ball in, the teams push against each other... and basically... when the ball pops out, the game carries on.

Watch, for example, Argentina demolish the All Blacks scrum here:

An Interview with Duncan Paui'aua.

Earlier this week I had a chat with Duncan Paui'aua. He had a hand in creating the match winning try, over the weekend!

Thanks Duncan, for giving me a bit of your time!

That’s ok. Pleasure.

How was it, becoming a professional sportsman almost straight out of school?

Ah. It’s a great feeling, you grow up trying to do it, that’s always been my dream tryin’ to become a professional rugby player. So to get that straight out of school that was a pretty big accomplishment.

What is your club?

I play for North Eagles.

You can play around the field, what does your preferred position involve?

I play multiple positions, I can play 10, 12 and 15. I think I feel most comfortable when I am playing at 12, which is inside centre. It allows me to use my ball playing skills and also gives me a chance to run the ball as well.

What is the hardest part about maintaining fitness over the Super Rugby Season?

Ah. Probably for me, eating, eating well. I guess in pre-season the load is very big you can tend to eat what you want but when the load goes down during the season, you tend to put on a bit of weight. Back down what you are eating.

What is the biggest highlight in your sporting career so far?

The biggest highlight. Ah… 
Probably just what happened on the weekend. Just the line break I made and setting up the match winning try. Hopefully one of many more highlights of my career.

Can you tell us something about you that no one else may know?

I am one of 11, and my three younger sisters are triplets. I think nobody knows that.

What is some advice you could give to aspiring players, both boys and girls?

Ah. I guess in any aspect in life, I think whether it be sport or anything else, if you put your mind to it and you really want something, I guess you just go and get it.

Thanks Duncan for your time.

Thanks mate.

Rugby Rule for the Week #2

This weeks rule is for all you Americans, or for the AFL supporters that want to get in on the greatest game in the world.

The Knock On....

Rugby Union (along with League) is unique from other footy codes in that you have to run forward to gain ground towards the end line. Passes can only be made backwards. "Forward passes" are not allowed. If the ball touches a players arm or hand and it goes forward, the referee calls "knock-on", and the other team gets possession for a "scrum". What's a scrum I hear you say? See you next week.