Flankers

GoWesht

Could somebody explain to me please, without being an arsehole about it, the difference between a 6 and a 7?

Basically the only obvious difference between their roles are that they stand on opposite sides of the scrum and yet there is a distinct difference between the kind of players i see playing there

The 6 is always a big strong guy, frequent ball carrier and the 7 is always lighter and more mobile, good at the break down

Is there a particular reason, for example that we couldnt have a back row of Ferris, Leamy and Heaslip against more physical teams and play O'Brien and Wallace against more athletic teams? Like is there a particular skill set that Pocock or someone like that would be missing that a 6 would need or is it just a traditional kind of thing that the big guy plays 6 and the faster guy plays 7 to give it balance?


Basically the question is whats the differnce between an openside and a blindside and does modern rugby need a specialist 6 and a specialist 7 or is there a problem with two very similair players as your flankers?? thanks in advance

Hugh_C

read here,

no 7 is better at cheating (Neil Back was a master at it)

danthefan

On the opposite side of the argument are players like ... David Wallace who provide continuity between the pack and the backs

[Jackass]

Well, you've sort of answered your own question in the origional post, but traditionally, both flankers are prodominantly first line defensive players.

I.E. off the set piece, and in open play, their job is to protect the back line and to disrupt the opposition posession.

A 7, the openside, is usually the ball wininng type player. In open play, he will never be far from the breakdown, and whether making the tackle or first arriving at the breakdown on opposition ball, he's the guy who will stick his head where most people wouldn't stick their boot in order to get his hands on the ball to steal it or get his body in the way to slow it down.

A 6, the blindside, has more often been an enforcer type player. He's there to hammer the sh*t out of opposition attack and clear out rucks and in general, be an absolute nightmare for the opposition both in defence and attack. He is usually a big ball carrier too.

But there's no exact rules on the type of player who plays either roll.

In terms of world rugby, Richie McCaw is the typical 7, a fast, athletic guy, who's always at the breakdown, is physical, and wins ball at all costs. The most similar player in Irish rugby (not in terms of ability, but in terms of playing as an "out and out" 7) is Shane Jennings.

A typical 6 in world rugby would be Rocky Elsom, in Irish terms, Ferris is an expert at this roll. Big ball carriers, and hammer any player who comes near them, and always the guy wrestling players at the breakdown.

Declan Kidney is the type of coach though who has his own thereoy on the back row - and it's a very specific type of selection to each coach on what they go for in a back-row, but Kidney, both for Munster and Ireland, has always favoured the 3 massive carriers and disrupters in his back-row, rather than having the agile, quick ground hog at 7, hence Munster back rows of Wallace, Foley and Quinlan and later Leamy. Leamy has often played 7 under Kidney.

For Ireland, guys like Sean O'Brien, Wallace & Leamy have been the favourites for the 7 jersey, whilst not being traditional type 7's.

It's horses for courses, as you say, to vary your back-row selection depending on opposition, and many coaches do this, but with the modern physicality of the game, imo, the more traditional rolls are becoming extinct, with all 3 back-row positions merging into one type of player who carriers attributes from all the traditional rolls, and the more modern back-row players, like Leamy and O'Brien, can cover all 3 back-row positions.

maxxie

depth at which defensive position they take up

cormpat

Don't forget that a Blindside Flanker, can also be a line out option. It was always, one of the reasons EOS used to trot out when picking Easterby a few years back.

irishbucsfan

Realistically, there is not much of a difference.

Generally on the openside you would prefer to have a more agile or faster player who can get to the opposition quicker. This is because the openside is generally where the outhalf will stand and where the opposition will look to attack.

Looking at our options, Leamy doesn't really project as a 7, and although SOB plays there the Leinster back row has looked better with him at 6. I think SOBs problem is more of a question of agility as opposed to pace. Saying all that, Ferris is extremely quick but never seems to play as well at 7 for Ulster (maybe its a personal preference for him).

Personally I play both positions, and specialisation in terms of technical rugby skill is largely the same for each position (Both players need to be able to tackle, compete on the ground in defence and attack and be comfortable with the ball in hand), its more a difference in terms of physical attributes

Tim Robbins

7 is usually faster and is aiming to get to be the third man at the break down.

bamboozle

the openside exists to speed up ball between forwards and backs, this is done in 2 ways, firstly as a link man being on the supporting shoulder of a ball carrier (this is why good 7's score lots of trys) and secondly at the breakdown where their scavaging abilities will ensure quick ruck ball for their team.

in defence, the 7 should be focussed on being in the opposition outhalf's face as much as possible while also competing at the bottom of rucks preventing quick release for the opposition.

when imagining an openside dont think of Wallace cause he doesnt really fit the bill.

your blindside is muscle for hire, hard as nails, big tackler and good ball carrier, Rocky Elson, Trevor Brennan, Ferris and Quinlan all fit the bill well.

JustinDee

The positions are named at where they set up in the scrum.
Typically, a 6 is what is known as a defensive flanker or defensive loose forward. A 7 plays on the openside of the scrum and generally was nicknamed a 'fetcher'. They were usually the faster pack member and designated with basically chasing the ball. Nr 7s are called from time to time 'breakaways' or 'fetchers' in Tri Nations countries.

In South Africa, the shirt numbers are opposite for the two flankers ie. openside plays 6 and defensive side plays 7.

The role of the openside has changed slightly in the past two seasons with the emphasis on interpreting the breakdown law to the letter. Instead of chasing, tackling then getting on feet to challenge for ball as the ruck forms, the first tackler must roll away from tackled player with the second defender being allowed to go for it.

Best openside I've ever seen was Josh Kronfeld of New Zealand. Changed the role even more, despite having to follow up on Michael Jones. Dave Wilson from Australia was another legend of that position during that time.
McCaw by far and wide the best flanker playing the modern game.

Nuigforce

Hugh_C wrote: »

read here,

no 7 is better at cheating (Neil Back was a master at it)

Jennings doesnt have a wikipedia page:(:(:(:(:P

Cpt_Blackbeard

It is quite hard to tell the difference in general play due to how we play in Ireland. We haven't had a true 7 in years tbh (I don't know what to call Wallace tbh)

The 7s are generally the faster player as they have more ground to cover at scrumtime. I believe hearing that Wallace was the fastest of the Irish players with Munster until Earls came on the scene or something along those lines. Ferris and Croft seem to go against this rule and are very fast though.

It becomes even more confusing as SA number them oppositely.

little173

cormpat wrote: »

Don't forget that a Blindside Flanker, can also be a line out option. It was always, one of the reasons EOS used to trot out when picking Easterby a few years back.

And notwithstanding the fact that he was also an excellent player.