AIBU to want the DCs to avoid rugby?

[Quattrocento]

Watched DS's rugby match today. He is 11 and he is something called a prop.

He caught a ball somewhere near the back of the pitch. He said it was the 22 (?).

Then he ran with it. Various big boys tackled him at several points. He woozled round them or ran through them.

Then just before the touchline, FIVE of them dived on him and brought him down.

I nearly had apoplexy. The potential for serious harm in this game is immense.

DS came back to me covered in mud and his eyes shining. 'Did you see my try?'

No, I didn't see your try DS. Because you were underneath a pile of flailing arms legs feet and boots (with studs).

This game is too dangerous. Isn't it? But it would break DS's heart and embarass him horribly if I make him stop.

So, AIBU to want him to give up rugby?

I strongly suspect that your boy is going to be the one dishing it out, not taking it Quattro. If he can score from his 22 without that much pace, he must move like a Mack truck. Good on him!

I think you'll find that as you get to know a bit more about the sport you'll find it less terrifying.

I'd be much happier if he took up ballet ...:) Really, I'd like that.

Mine's just started RugbyTots at 3 1/2 and loves it, and my 7yo godson's confidence has absolutely blossomed since he started playing touch rugby - I have a photo of him with his 'Man of the Match' trophy at the end of the game in which he scored his first try for his school, and I've never seen him look so happy. He's a delicate little beanpole of a lad with mild Asperger's and rugby has done him the power of good. Admittedly there are velcro tags instead of tackles and scrums, though....

Yeah, just don't look on youtube for Chabal or Lima tackles.

Kew, did you meantion "cauliflower^ ears?

Sirzy.
I like your style

"YABU - I reckon he stands more chance of serious injury if he plays thug-football. Rugby is a far more orderly and polite game."

Absolutely rubbish.
You're more likely to get more regular injuries in football of a minor nature.
I don't know of anyone who's been paralysed playing football, I know of 2 people who did so playing rugby.

BTW Rugby is brilliant, just no need to ignorantly knock another sport to promote it.

It is entirely up to him. He obviously want s to play so you have to keep your worries to yourself, it is what Mums do!

YABVU.

I played from age 12 to 22 and only suffered concussion, a ruptured kidney, torn ligaments in both knees, dislocated my thumbs and nearly broke my neck.

I was a hooker (stands next to the prop in the scrum) and its a fine game.

My mother hated it.

Oh okay

I geddit. IABU

I have not to worry about cauliflower ears, serious spinal injury, a stray stud going into an eye or any of that

nah. It'll make a man of him.

You could list risks like that of anything though. You cant keep him wrapped in cotton wool.

I would rather my son grows up wanting to play sport than wanting to hang around street corners drinking

I feel your pain, but as rugby is the only ball game in the world worth playing (or watching) you might have to resign yourself to it I was always happy that DS1 was on the wing though (I too grew up in the days of bad injuries from collapsing scrums).

Okay, but isn't there a middle ground? Between hanging around on street corners and playing rugby? Say like a nice safe ballet school? Or ballroom dancing? They must always be short of boys for ballroom dancing.

Have to say I totally agree with sunnydelights first sentence :)

I would suggest you dont watch him.

Or are you one a wind up...

I did think about not watching him

But that might actually be worse

What makes you suggest I might be on a wind-up? That's a curious suggestion. How is rugby-playing a wind-up subject?

Or am I sounding so precious that it sounds like a wind-up . You needed to see those studs in the air. Truly scary.

I second the not watching if it worries you. DD goes horse-riding, and I've seen her thrown off a couple of times, it's horrible. Even though I don't like the fact she goes riding, it's her choice, she loves it and if I made her stop she'd be miserable.

QC The ballroom dancing comes after the Rugby career (unless you are Gavin Henson ).

Going against the majority here, but YANBU. I am relieved that DD turned out to be a girl as she is less likely to want to play rugby than a boy. I used to work with someone who was paralysed from the neck down due to a rugby injury and DB quit rugby after someone at his uni died. On a lighter note he caught nits from the scrum.

yes breatheslowly but if you drive a car, ride a horse, ski downhill, swim outside of council poools (all things i like to do) then it would be hypocitical in the extreme to prevent a child playing rugby.
I know plenty of people who have died/been seriously injured in a car - doesn't stop me driving to work every day.
I know plenty of people who have died/been paralysed/badly in jured riding, i still ride and event.
Basically risks are everywhere, and i'm of the opinion we should embrace life, and encourage our children to do sports they love.

I have broken my nose and my arm riding
I have broken my ankle skiing
Suffered whiplash fron being a passenger in a car which had an accident

And these things were okay things to happen because there was no serious injury. But DS could get really hurt

Really good message about scrum cap - which he does wear now - and mouthguard - which he tells me he wears but i have my doubts

Gosh, can't believe all the YABUs here.

YANBU OP. I know a number of adult men who suffered quite serious injuries through school rugby, and now can't ski/can't play recreational sports/can forecast the weather with their knee because of it. Ok nothing like paralysis (unlike some of the posters here) but it clearly does have a very high injury rate. In insurance policies it's often an "excluded activity" which speaks for itself really.

That all said, if he's at a rugby playing school I don't think you can do anything about it ...