The Rugby Hiatus and Its Consequences

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High-performance team faces the pandemic with routine adaptations and athlete commitment

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Full Text translated to English

Article for Foca em Foco magazine.​​

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The emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic affected the population as a whole. Beyond the most common professions, athletes faced game cancellations and the disruption of carefully planned training programs designed for high-level competitors. So how do athletes cope with the pause in games, and how does the body respond to this unusual period?

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To provide context, several major championships, such as Brazil’s Série A and B football leagues, resumed after months of suspension. In the Vale do Paraíba region, however, rugby – a sport in which local teams have achieved national recognition – has not resumed, and tournaments remain suspended.​

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Jacareí Rugby has not played official matches since March, following the directive of the Brazilian Rugby Confederation. As a result, everyone involved with the club had to adapt, especially the players, who are most affected physically by the hiatus.​

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Matheus Cruz, a player for Jacareí Rugby and the Brazilian National Rugby Team, says the current situation requires adaptation.

"First of all, training… having to readjust to training at home is very difficult, as few have the proper setup to stay in shape. You go from training at the gym with weights and proper loads to adapting with a backpack and a bag of rice."

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Another challenge intensified by the pandemic is the lack of motivation. High-level athletes, constantly competing, rely on physical preparation and refining their skills. Fan pressure, the need to win, and the battle for position are key drivers that keep athletes focused on maintaining peak form.

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Given the unusual circumstances, athlete Eliel Silva highlights the importance of keeping fan support to help this phase conclude positively, considering all that athletes have endured to represent a prestigious club today.

"It’s very difficult to stay focused and motivated, but we must hold on to the things that got us here. [...] We need to prepare for whatever comes next," Eliel explained.

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As the athletes’ accounts demonstrate, game cancellations forced adjustments in training and impacted focus and motivation. Another major concern for the club is assessing how the hiatus may affect players physically. According to Renato Costa, Jacareí Rugby’s physiotherapist, special attention must be given to athletes who recently recovered from injuries.

"Muscles that have recently suffered an injury are the most affected by the suspension of training," Renato explained. He also noted that regaining physical fitness and endurance must be carefully planned in preparation for the resumption of matches, including an extensive pre-season to minimize sports-related setbacks.

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Resuming Play

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No official date has yet been set by the São Paulo Rugby Federation or the Brazilian Rugby Confederation for the return of official matches. Meanwhile, the team’s coach, Arthur Mota, has focused on providing remote guidance to players, as training has been suspended since the start of the pandemic.

"We are holding virtual meetings and encouraging players to stay engaged with the theoretical aspects of rugby, reviewing past games, and exploring technology to remain connected with the team," the coach commented.

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The pandemic has clearly disrupted team planning for the current season and will likely have negative effects on the next. Regional clubs face the challenge of returning to play while minimizing setbacks from this year, maintaining competitiveness, and, while not ideal, relying on technology to compensate for the training interruptions.