Of School and Forwards and Lineouts

One week ago I finally moved up to Central Washington University.  It was hard to give that final hug goodbye, but I know it was the right choice.  The next day I had my first Uni rugby practice, and had the slap-in-the-face realization that my chances of starting on either the A squad (Div 1A) or B squad (Div 1AA) are not awesome.  I have the requisite athleticism, but there aren't many guys on the squad that have never played before, and I happen to be one.

What I have going for me is a solid work ethic and a burning drive to succeed in this sport, as I have fallen butterflies-in-the-stomach in love with it.  Also, I think being an absolutely blank slate helps.  I don't have to correct bad habits... because I have no habits.

I have mostly been trying to hook up with our forward pack, which seems to unfortunately be knee-deep in quality flankers.  I say unfortunately from a purely selfish context, as I still yearn to be an openside flanker (#7, or #6 in South Africa) and have a nearly perfect build for it.  If I put together some skills I should get occasional play time, but I would guess it will be in the 19 jersey.  19 is a replacement loose-forward, for the unawares.

Also, practicing with the forwards, it was decided that my ape arms will get put to use by making me a lineout jumper.  After being told how much pride CWU takes in their lineouts and that it is an area in which we manshame other teams, they put me straight to work... with a trustfall.  The first of my life, I might add.  And I just let it happen.  For some reason I have an incredible amount of faith in these boys to take care of their own.  Then we got to work with jumping/lifting.  For those who don't know how a lineout works, you get lifted into the air at the last minute to receive the ball from your hooker (#2 jersey, not just some slut), and either keep it or offload it to an eager back.

Guy on the far right blue #2 jersey is a hooker, I'll be the dude in the air.

Basically, this is a dream come true.  At only 5'10", I had given up on being a lineout jumper before I even started practice.  It is typically a lock and 8-man position, as both are typically above 6'2", so thank the lawd I've got the limbs of a spider monkey.

Unfortunately we've only had indoor practices for a week.  Air quality is shit due to a giant fire right outside of town, so all we can really practice is out lineouts.

But dammit, we're gonna have one that is still worth taking pride in.