Q: Today, we have Jacob Lineen with us. Some of you might recognize the name; he hails from a rugby family, with his famous dad Sean, who was a center for Scotland. Jacob, growing up in a rugby-centric family, did you ever consider soccer, or was it rugby right from the start?
A: Soccer was never really on the radar in our household! We always had a rugby ball in the garden. I was fortunate to have a brother, so we tossed the rugby ball around every day. I was introduced to rugby at a young age, so I didn’t have much of a choice, but I genuinely fell in love with the game!
Q: What position did you eventually settle into?
A: I found my place in the back three, playing as a wing fullback. I’m the guy tasked with scoring tries out on the wing. That’s me.
Q: Did your dad ever suggest, “Hey, we could use you more in the centre”?
A: I don’t think I had the size to be a center, to be honest. If my dad were playing in today’s rugby, he’d probably be a winger too, as he wouldn’t have the size for center either. I’m quite content in the back three.
Q: Can you tell us about your rugby journey, from your school days to where you are now in your rugby career?
A: In Scotland, I played age-grade Scottish rugby during my school days. Afterward, I made the move to Sydney, where I’ve been playing for Eastern Suburbs. My aim is to keep progressing and, if I perform well enough, see where the future takes me.
Q: Let’s shift our focus to night lenses and eyesight. When did you first realize that you needed glasses for short-sightedness, and how old were you when you started wearing them?
A: I first noticed my eyesight wasn’t up to par around the age of 14 or 15. That’s when I realized glasses might be necessary. I did try glasses for a while, mainly wearing them in school to see the whiteboard from afar, but I wasn’t a big fan of glasses, and they didn’t work well for sports.
Q: Did your mates have any interesting reactions when you first showed up at school wearing glasses?
A: Oh, I got a lot of teasing for wearing them! It turns out that some people just don’t suit glasses. And I’m one of those people!
Q: During this time, as your rugby career was taking off, did you notice your eyesight affecting your performance on the field?
A: Absolutely, especially when playing in the back three at a high level. There’s a lot of kicking and high ball catching involved. I mainly noticed the difference during field scanning, tracking the entire pitch from one side to the other and catching high balls. As you climb to higher levels of play, it’s often those “one percenters” that make all the difference.
Q: Being a fullback, you’re tasked with going for high balls, and in Scotland, you have to contend with rain and mud. How did night lenses make rugby easier for you?
A: My eyesight wasn’t terrible, so I could manage without night lenses. However, once I started wearing them, the difference was significant. At that time, I only needed to put them in once a week, and they kept my vision sharp for the entire week. As a somewhat lazy teenager, it was ideal.
Q: Have you noticed a difference in your performance in other sports since using night lenses?
A: Absolutely. Surprisingly, the most noticeable change occurred when I played family tennis. Everything seemed to be half a second too slow to react to; it was as if I were seeing a fuzzy green object flying towards me. But as soon as I started using night lenses, my ball-hitting skills improved. I wasn’t the next Nadal, but the difference was real.
Q: Given what we know about your dad’s competitive nature, did it translate to a “no mercy” approach during family sports?
A: There was certainly no mercy in the Lineen household! When we were younger, it was my brother and me against my mum and dad. But now, it’s my mum and me against my dad and my brother – and they always target my mum. There’s no holding back! My dad still serves at 100%, employing drop-shots and lobs against her 😊
Q: Would you recommend night lenses to other young rugby players, and, in fact, all rugby players? If so, why?
A: Absolutely, I’d recommend them! They are incredibly easy to use and eliminate the hassle. I’ve seen players on the pitch dealing with their lenses, trying to adjust them with a finger in their eye – that’s the last thing you want to be thinking about during a game. I’d wholeheartedly recommend night lenses; they make a significant difference, and they’re incredibly convenient.
Q: We were discussing the Ulster #8 who was caught on camera fiddling with his lenses for about 6 minutes before the medic came to help. Within that time, there was a line-out and a scrum. The last thing you want is a lens issue while performing at an elite level, or at any level, for that matter. Have night lenses been a game-changer for you?
A: I’d say they have. If I were still wearing glasses and day lenses instead of night lenses, it would be a different story. I couldn’t even imagine what that would be like. I’ve become so accustomed to wearing night lenses that I no longer think of myself as someone with an eyesight problem. I put them in at night and take them out in the morning – it’s that simple.
Q: Long-time night lens users often mention that they no longer feel like they have an eyesight issue, as they don’t have to constantly think about glasses or day lenses. Have you experienced this as well?
A: Absolutely! During the day, you don’t have to worry about any of this. It becomes second nature, part of your 30-second morning and evening routine.
Thank you so much for this interview, Jacob. Enjoy your time in Sydney! Best of luck with your rugby career – we’re excited to see where it takes you.