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Ireland-Openside Flankers

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 24,742 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    dub_skav wrote: »
    dtpc191991 wrote: »
    POM did a great job at 7 yesterday. I was watching him and he was often the first Irish player to e every ruck clearing it out. That is the job of a 7 and he did it perfectly.
    I actually thought there were a number of rucks off first phase where he was not first there.
    I think he played well, but it certainly wasn't an openside masterclass as some have made out - not you by the way

    Agreed. At one point there were a few rucks one after the other when he wasn't first there and didn't get involved. He had a good game, especially for his first start, but he wasn't the be all and end all.

    I still think this idea of having 1 player per position is daft though. Having SOB and POM at 7 and rotating them surely makes more sense than starting one of them every time. We shouldn't be afraid to utilise SOB at 6 or 8 either from time to time. We should be making the most of whatever depth we have, not ignoring it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 16,947 ✭✭✭✭Neil3030


    molloyjh wrote: »
    Agreed. At one point there were a few rucks one after the other when he wasn't first there and didn't get involved. He had a good game, especially for his first start, but he wasn't the be all and end all.

    I still think this idea of having 1 player per position is daft though. Having SOB and POM at 7 and rotating them surely makes more sense than starting one of them every time. We shouldn't be afraid to utilise SOB at 6 or 8 either from time to time. We should be making the most of whatever depth we have, not ignoring it.

    The role of the modern 7 no longer dictates they be first to every ruck though. Sure they'd be in bits after 20 minutes. Pocock, McCaw et al will often snipe the right ruck where they sense a turnover, which is what makes them so effective. A recent piece from The Guardian's The Breakdown focused on that specific point. I don't think I can post it here though, so if anyone wants it, PM me.


  • Registered Users Posts: 6,721 ✭✭✭Otacon


    Neil3030 wrote: »
    A recent piece from The Guardian's The Breakdown focused on that specific point. I don't think I can post it here though, so if anyone wants it, PM me.

    You can post a link to it. I would be very interested.


  • Registered Users Posts: 16,947 ✭✭✭✭Neil3030


    Otacon wrote: »
    You can post a link to it. I would be very interested.

    I'm signed up to receive it by emails.

    [EDIT]Ah, just noticed they also put it on their website:

    http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2011/dec/01/the-breakdown-world-cup-analysis


  • Registered Users Posts: 24,742 ✭✭✭✭molloyjh


    Neil3030 wrote: »
    The role of the modern 7 no longer dictates they be first to every ruck though. Sure they'd be in bits after 20 minutes. Pocock, McCaw et al will often snipe the right ruck where they sense a turnover, which is what makes them so effective. A recent piece from The Guardian's The Breakdown focused on that specific point. I don't think I can post it here though, so if anyone wants it, PM me.

    You would expect your 7 to be there or there-abouts in every second or third ruck though. It'd be physically impossible to be at every one.

    Either way POM had a good game. I don't want to prattle on about it too much as it might sound like I'm knocking him when I'm not really.

    Some interesting stats in that link...


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