MR’s Jimmy Norval talks to Under Armour-sponsored rugby star Jamie Roberts about how important running is in rugby
There is a stereotype in rugby that all of its modern day players are either 6 foot 5 inches plus or weigh at least 15 stone; both are more or less true in Jamie Roberts’s case. And yet, despite his immense stature, it’s easy to forget just how much running ability he and his other rugby colleagues have in abundance.
He says: “It’s important to remember that rugby is a running game and that’s what we do the most out of any other exercise. Yes you’re off your feet, smashing into rucks and getting tackled, but the majority of the game is spent running.”
For Roberts to be able to perform at the peak of his powers, adjusting his running style is vital for him to last a full 80-minute game.
“I do a lot of work on running economy and efficiency,” says the 27-year-old. “The more you break down each running step the more economical you can be. So for example, I work a lot on building up the strength of my ankles, hip flexors, hamstrings and calf muscles in the gym. This helps me perform to the best of my abilities.
“As a big guy, I need to have as much reactivity as possible in my legs so a lot of my conditioning is based on running.”
Asked whether Roberts had done any running races himself, he said: “No, I’m certainly a power athlete. I’m 17 stone [110 kilograms] so I think shifting that around a marathon or even a 10K would be very demanding. Maybe after rugby I’ll look into it.”
What most runners hate hearing or doing is probably warming up and down. A big tip Roberts gave for feeling better after running is based around how to avoid injuries.
“When I was 21-years-old I didn’t care much for stretching and I thought I was invincible as an athlete. Now in my late twenties I’m starting to feel the bumps and bruises a lot more and I’m getting a bit stiffer each morning – no double-entendre intended – so I would say look after yourselves and make sure you warm up and down properly with slow stretches.
“Always do the little things like eating well and sleeping well correctly – you can never underestimate that.”
There have been some seriously fast athletes in rugby and Roberts has played with – and against – some of the quickest.
“I played with Alex Cuthbert, George North and Shane Williams who can all shift. The quickest players I’ve played against would probably be Bryan Habana of South Africa and Will Genia of Australia.”
Now playing his rugby in France for Racing Metro, Jamie Roberts will be hoping for more accomplishments as a rugby player and as an athlete.
• Jamie Roberts wears the latest Storm product from Under Armour, the official Technical Partner of Welsh Rugby Union. For details on the range that ensure athletes ‘Always Stay Dry’, visit www.UnderArmour.com.
