rugby hooker

Question
Hi Nick, looking for some good playing advice about playing as a hooker.

Im 24 well built in upper body and legs i weigh about 13 stone just under i think im 5 foot 5. i am slow on my feet but i have good bursts of speeds with power and am able to takle ok.

just started playing again after about 8 years and i have very little idear about reading the play, such as:

im slow in surport so i need to judge what to do i.e go crashing in the ruck/mull or stand back and wait for the pass/offload, but where is the best place for a hooker to be when he is "late"? should i join the backs and crash the ball and how?

Whats the best way for rolling off the ruck and running through players?

One more thing after my first game i tore ligaments in both my feet becase i have not played in some time any tips on that.

any help on top of that would be great, thanks alot.

im in uk england.

Answer
Hi Stewart,

Go with what you have. Like Os Du Randt of South Africa, 35 years old, big slow but bursts of speed.

Embrace the situation. Work with what you have and enjoy the game. You will want to run wider arcs to come in behind mauls and rucks more directly from the rear. Look at the ruck and if you see the ball is well won by your team hang back. If it is not won hit the ruck with an aim to move it or move an opposition body out of the picture.

As a large forward you should be directly behind the ruck or maul ready for a run. Get with your half back and work out a call for the situation if he hears you yell "Stewart to go" (for example) he should know you are in a position to run onto the ball at pace. Be directly behind the maul or ruck and have him subtly point to the side he wants you to run on to give you a pop pass. Give him the option to make you a decoy runner as well. He may sell you convincingly as a runner and go himself down the blind side. Work together and communicate. Stay out of the back line unless specifically asked and if you get stuck there back up and hang just behind a back on their outside shoulder and communicate your position, even throw in a phrase like "awaiting your instruction" communication is key, it may even be a finger point from the back, either way the team should all know the drill.

Don't be in a rush to chase the ball look ahead of the ball for the next play. If a maul is won and you are on the other side of the field run a loop arc towards it with the initial  priority to be on side and then to move to the center of the field. If you stay in the center of the field you will have more impact and not have to run so far to get to the break down.

As for your foot ligaments maybe invest in some quality leather boots and some quality after-market arch supports and look to get your foot / ankle taped prior to a game. Let the injury heal properly before putting pressure on the foot.

Good luck and have fun