KooGa Warrior IIIs Shoulder Pads

As a keen rugby player who used to work in a sports shop I was quite lucky to get to try all the latest stash out at a discounted rate.

I had always worn Optimum shoulder pads but then noticed how we were constantly selling out of the Warrior III’s with people even pre-ordering them so I thought I’d better check them out and since that day they are the only pads I’ve ever worn and probably will ever wear!

I’m quite tall so the extra long lycra body is a perfect fit and I know most kit like this sells itself as ‘breathable’ but they’re the pads I get least sweaty in. I use them for both training and playing so have two pairs which usually last all season.

PS. I’m a winger so probably not the position in the greatest need of shoulder pads!! (Dave, Blaydon, Tyne and Wear)

KooGa Rugby Boots

As they are generally wide fitting they are most suited to forwards (fat feet monsters!) Players with a narrower foot tend to prefer Puma, Nike or Addidas but I guess it’s all down to personal preference. I know some backs who only ever wear by KooGa boots we call them the fat fairies. (Mike, Solihull, Birmingham)

KooGa Rugby Vortex Jackets

Best bit of training gear on the market. Very reasonably priced, pretty tough and ideal in most weather conditions (except hot but we never see the sun so no worries there!) I do a lot of cycling too and even wear it when I’m out on my bike. This is a bit girly but they used to only make it in navy or black but they do it in a range of colours now which is good as they make it in my club’s colours – bonus!! (Greg, Camberley, Surrey)

KooGa Rugby Wet Grip Gloves

I’ve never been a fan of gloves but then a mate started wearing those orange Nomis gloves and I must say I was well impressed so got a pair and wore them out. Birthday came and mother thought she was doing me a favour and got me the KooGa wet grip they’re ok but I must say Nomis are the DB’s when it comes to gloves, in my opinion anyway!  (Matt, Edinburgh)

Legend has it that it was way back in 1823 at Rugby School (Warwickshire, England) that it was a young boy named William Webb Ellis who sporned the game we all know and love today.

During a game of soccer, Webb controversially picked up the ball during, preceded to run to his opponents’ goal line, with his team-mates closely in tow and thus the beloved game of rugby was born.

There are other versions of this tale but this one is too good to overlook. Many others agree and as testament to the young boys ingenuity , an official grave stone stands in Rugby School and is encrypted with words of gratitude to him for defining the distinct features of this fast paced and physical game.

So that’s where it all started but with a lifetime that spans over 180 years there have been many changes (good and bad!) This post will look at the rugby evolution and unfold how the game has become what it is today.

The images of the KooGa rugby shoulder pads in ‘Old v Modern Day Rugby Pads‘ post highlights this transformation.

Stay tuned for the next installment ………..

Below are a selction of KooGa rugby product videos which you can view by clicking any of the video links below.

Recommended KooGa Rugby Supplier

Old v Modern Day Rugby Pads
If I only had a pound coin every time my Dad said “You know, in my day we never wore pads and only half the guys had gum shields!” I never disagree with him but I then go on to remind him the game of rugby is very different now to when he played, and even in the last ten years it’s changed massively.

Recommended KooGa Rugby Supplier

In the mid 90’s a lot of professional teams had a very loose policy with regards to strength and conditioning with many players simply not doing weights. Yes a lot of players did weights but there was little structure and very few experts involved in the game back then. These days it’s all very different – most professional teams have a least two full- time strength and conditioning coaches with the task of producing the biggest, strongest, fastest, fittest and most powerful athletes they can. As a result the game has become faster, harder and much more physical, with less people talking about making tackles and more about making ‘hits!’

My Dad was a 6’1” fullback weighing approximately 70 Kg. Back in the 1970’s this was big but these days he would be eaten alive by under 20’s. It’s no surprise the demands on the body have been raised and players therefore now take provisions to protect themselves. I’m afraid the best kit in the world will never stop all the injuries in rugby, but they can help prevent some. One of the best ways to get fit and improve your rugby is to keep fit and stay on the training field rather than the physio bed.

Without doubt wearing shoulder pads and headguards will take some of the impact out of what is a fierce collision sport. I hate getting injured and even more so when I’m training, so my advice would be pad up and stay away from from that physio bed!

The two pictures are of old fashioned American football pads and some modern rugby shoulder pads. I think it’s fair to say just like rugby itself body amour has come a long way!!

Old Shoulder Pads

Modern Shoulder Pads

Expert Advice on Picking Your Pads:
Having been a pro rugby player for 10 years now I feel I’ve a great understanding of shoulder pads and what most guys want from their trusted ‘bosh suits’. To help you decide which shoulder pads to buy, here are some things to consider when laying your cash on the line….. not to mention your body!!

Recommended KooGa Rugby Supplier

Player Position:
I never like wearing really big bulky pads when I play because I’m a winger and I like the thought of being agile and fast. So I’d look for pads without all the side protection and go for a basic tight fitting shoulder pad with minimum amount of padding. However, if I was playing at seven and taking hits from all angles in rucks I’d maybe go for something a bit more substantial like the Kooga Dominator Vest.

Usage:
Whether playing or training there’s always going to be a need for pads at some point. I’ll come on to costs later but in an ideal world I’d suggest padding yourself to the max when training and using something suitable for your position when playing. I’ve lost count of how many dead legs, bumps and bruises and stingers I’ve endured during training and these days I simply use what’s got the most padding and protection.

Costs:
I’m afraid the saying ‘you get what you pay for’ runs true here. By spending a bit more you get better materials and I usually find a better fitting shoulder pad. To save a bit try and buy out of season, but be careful some of the really cheap stuff might not be IRB approved.

IRB Approved:
It’s always best to buy IRB approved as this means that they meet the International Rugby Board safety standard. All of the KooGa Rugby pads mentioned on this site are IRB approved.

Caring for Your Kooga Rugby Shoulder Pads

Look after them and they’ll look after you!

One of the worst things to do with your shoulder pads is to get them really wet and dirty then stuff them in a kit bag for two days. Firstly they’ll stink when they come out, and the way they’ll fit your body and do their job will be compromised.

Recommended KooGa Rugby Supplier

The best thing to do if they’re wet or sweaty is to hang them up and let them dry naturally. If they’re really dirty and need washing follow the instructions on the label very carefully but I’d suggest it’s best not to wash them too frequently. I know one player who never washes his shoulder pads if he plays well because he’s superstitious……whatever works for you I guess.