Netflix series Full Contact, what Religion Rugby thinks

As a former professional player and rugby enthusiast, I eagerly awaited the documentary series Full Contact, broadcast on Netflix, delving into the world of rugby, particularly the Six Nations tournament. Despite not being a player in that environment myself, as a former Spanish international, I had the opportunity to participate in the B tournament. Therefore, watching this series was an experience filled with special emotions for me.

Shots that highlight the violence of impacts

Technically, although I'm not an expert in video editing, the camera angles, close-ups on the actions, and the atmosphere created around the sporting moments offer a powerful realism. The tight shots highlight rugby actions and emphasize the intense demands placed on the players' bodies. These images remind the viewer that rugby truly deserves its title as a "contact sport." The violent impacts can even evoke past pains, making me wonder how I managed to withstand such ordeals, even on the eve of my 40s.

Rugby is a violent sport but it's not war

Rugby is often compared to war, but a phrase exchanged between Finn Russell and his wife struck me. When she worries about him, he replies, "No, I'm not going to the front line. I'm just going to play a rugby match." Despite the many allegories between rugby and war, the sport remains violent, but concussion protocols and current precautions aim to protect players. Things have evolved rapidly in recent years, and mostly in a good way. But be careful not to multiply the matches...

The power of the locker room and its secrets

This documentary moved me by immersing me once again in the locker room atmosphere, the Scots' chants, the Irish's moments of respite, the pre-match speeches from coaches or captains, and the shared moments over a beer after a victory (or a defeat, with a more bitter taste). These memories remind us how much rugby is a team sport that provides exceptional moments of sharing.

The difficulty and paradox of the show, which highlights individuals to talk about the collective

The filmmakers focus on one or two emblematic players per team. I understand their approach, which has the weakness of emphasizing the individual more than the collective. However, even if an individual can shine, they cannot succeed without the support of the team. Sometimes, the documentary overlooks this collective power, spotlighting certain players at the expense of others. Nevertheless, I understand the technical constraints that prevent interviewing all 23 players from the same team.

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Nice anecdotes

I enjoyed certain anecdotes, such as the disagreements between Finn Russell and Greg Townsend, and how their contradictions ultimately strengthened the team. The sensitivity of Andrew Porter, the Irish prop, was also touching, showing that rugby goes beyond simply playing on the field.

Although I haven't finished the series yet, the brilliant visuals and eloquent editing showcase our sport in a captivating way. Even if the choice to focus on a few personalities might minimize the importance of the collective, overall, this series evokes emotions and rekindles fond memories for former players and rugby enthusiasts. Rugby remains a noble sport, powerful in its physical violence, but even more powerful in the emotion and passion shared in the intimacy of the changing rooms.

A rejuvenation that brings back memories

This show reminds me how much men are more important than anything else, and I think of all my former teammates, from the Foix rugby school to the Fédérale 1 team of Saint Sulpice, including my comrades from Colomiers Rugby, the Spanish national team, and my lifelong friends. In short, this series acts as a rejuvenation, highlighting the importance of human relationships in this sport.