Asian Games Player Profile: Wong Yilin

In the second of our player profiles, we look at another one of the younger squad members

Name: Wong Yilin

Age: 22

Occupation: Student (NUS)

Sport before rugby?

I played netball and touch rugby prior to contact rugby. Both were played at school levels.

How and Why Rugby?

I started off playing touch rugby in my junior college days. After graduating from college, i decided to join a club to continue playing outside school. It was the club that first introduced me to contact rugby. I was initially quite intimidated by the physically of the sport, but the intricacies of the game held my interest to continue with the sport. I attended my very first national 7s training in 2007.

How does rugby differ from your previous sport?

Definitely the contact aspect of rugby. Apart from that, the handling and agility are quite similar.

So why did you make the change to rugby?

I made the change because I wanted to try something new, something different. Its exciting every time you step on the pitch. You have to constantly outwit, outplay, outrun your opponents to score that try. Another thing i like about the game is that people of all shapes and sizes can play rugby.

Do you agree when people say that rugby is a men's game?

I had that thinking too before I got involved in it. Now, it's definitely not just a men's game.

What did you find the hardest to adapt to, when you took on rugby?

Again, the contact aspect of the game. I mentioned earlier that i was actually quite intimidated by the tacklings. Its quite painful. Took me quite a while to get used to it. I have had a number of injuries ranging from fracture fingers, torn ligaments to concussions.

Can you describe your first experience with rugby?

To tell the truth, I didn't know women's rugby existed. It came as a surprise and wanted to just have a shot at it. The game can get pretty complicated if you do not know the rules, so i got really lost in my very first game.

The lowest moment of your rugby experience...

Was when I tore my ACL. I was out of action for 8 months. Watching your teammates training and playing the game, while sitting at the sideline, was quite painful. The rehabilitation process was also long and very intensive.

The proudest moment of your rugby career...

Was Making it into the national squad and scoring my first try!

How much do you love rugby? If you had a choice to represent Singapore in another sport, what would it be?

Handball! I've always wanted to try that sport!