You’re defending a driving maul with two minutes to go or the opposition are preparing to pick and go in the 22 why not put on an extra forward if you haven’t used them yet?
A scrum half won’t be much use if you’re just defending. Even a different kind of back would be more useful wouldn’t it?
I have noticed that sometimes when a ref stops a scrum at the last minute and the front rows stand back up etc., the scrum half who was just about to put the ball in will throw it to one of his teammates at the back of the scrum , who will generally throw it back a few seconds later. What’s the purpose of this little throw and throw back?
Lions 2013 third test. O'Connor boots the ball into the dead ball area and Sexton picks it up with a foot in touch. Why is this a scrum on the half way line?
I feel he has been getting better recently but to a degree where he gets in the Lions I don’t really know, what’s your opinion. I’m not saying if you’d make him the starter but would you take him in the squad?
As the title says, I’m a 15 transitioning to play 9 over the last 6 months...and I keep pulling my groin when I pass from the floor/box kick!
I warm up every time, take it easy, and stretch fully for a good few minutes before our actual practice... but it happens every time!
Have any other 9’s experienced this? If so, how did you get over it... would single leg weight training help? Because at the moment, I don’t think I can even do a half!
Cheers
Interested to see what people think about this.
The general consensus seems to be that it is a real point of weakness for the HN, obviously relevant for the upcoming Lions Tour Series - picking the best of an average bunch as opposed to being spoilt for choice.
If I was breaking it down the list would be something like the following. Not going to list everyone's backup because past a certain point they're interchangeable
S Tier (game changing megastars who make their team significantly better)
- Dupont
- A Smith
A Tier (elite just not as otherworldly as the above)
- Faf de Klerk
- TJ Perenara (walks in as a starter on any team not occupied by the above)
B Tier (serviceable and locked in starters but not winning you games off their own boot)
- Herschel Jantjies (clearly not starting but ever dependable nonetheless)
- Nic White
- Ben Youngs
- Ali Price
- Gareth Davies/Kieran Hardy/Tomos Williams (not sure any really stands out from the others)
- Tomas Cubelli
C Tier (we need someone better than this)
- Jamison Gibson-Park
???
- Conor Murray (is he fit? something not right if GP getting games ahead of him)
- Stephen Varney (stop complaining to ref pls)
Anyway who should start for the Lions? Is it concerning that the Saffas have two options who would be easily ahead at the moment? Price had a bad game today but he has upside. Conversely Youngs played quite well v France but has been in horrendous form. Not sure there is much else doing around the traps but abuse me in the comments if I'm wrong
Sorry if this is the wrong sub, but it seems like r/rugbytraining is dead, so I figured I’d ask here. So I’m a freshman on my college team, and from our first semester and some, it appears I’m going to be at 9. I know it’s traditional most new players that will be backs start at the wing, but I’m small and rather dense (5’5”, 170lbs, or 1.65m, 77kg for all y’all who use the better measurement system), mostly muscle, so I’ve already been getting reps at 9 during practice. I guess my question is would I be better served spending my time in the weight room more or working on cardio. I feel like cardio is more important for a 9, especially when I’m not that good at it. I know 9 aren’t heavy sprinters and rather go at a consistent high pace throughout the game, so I’m wondering if it’s worth it sacrificing my time in the weight room for more cardio. I’m going to be doing cardio either way, I just want to know if it’s worth it focusing solely on cardio at the expense of lifting given my position and current size. Thanks
I wanted to start a discussion on the topic, especially the lions contenders for the potential summer tour. This is based on the initial six nations squads, and their international performances (I have not analysed them to a squidge level, so there will be stuff they do I haven't picked up on.) I appreciate any changes people might have.
God Tier --> Dupont (obviously)
Top Tier --> Serin, Price, Williams, Robson (been England's top 9 for many years)
Intermediate/Meh Tier --> Gibson-Park, Murray, Hardy, Randall, Steele, Varney, Braley, Palazzoni, Couilloud, Casey
Past-it Tier --> Youngs, Davies (he could also be a meh tier)
Edit- due to reconsideration of Ireland 9s.
Same again, who would you pick as your scrum half?
Wales:
Mike Phillips
Rob Howley
England
Matt Dawson
Ben Youngs
Ireland:
Peter Stringer
Connor Murray
Scotland:
Gary Armstrong
Mike Blair
Greg Laidlaw
