Defining the role of a position

[RoffsChoice]

I often get into arguments with mates about who plays where in our dream team, eg. JOC (James O'Connor) at wing or 12. It's all down to what is expected from a position. So what do you all think is needed from each position?

 

[Inside Shoulder]

depends on the team

 

[JSRF10]

It may sound obvious but for a 9 it is that they have a good pass. Its amazing how, in Ireland anyway, we seem to pick 9's for their defence or physical threat around the fringes when they can't actually pass the ball that well. Thomas O'Leary and Conor Murray are two recent examples.

Similarly for a tighthead the only thing I would expect is that they hold up the scrum and can attack weaker loose heads, anything else is a bonus. It doesn't matter how good they are around the field or at the ruck if they can't scrummage they will cost you field position, momentum and ultimately points.

 

[Inside Shoulder]

It may sound obvious but for a 9 it is that they have a good pass. Its amazing how, in Ireland anyway, we seem to pick 9's for their defence or physical threat around the fringes when they can't actually pass the ball that well. Thomas O'Leary and Conor Murray are two recent examples.

Similarly for a tighthead the only thing I would expect is that they hold up the scrum and can attack weaker loose heads, anything else is a bonus. It doesn't matter how good they are around the field or at the ruck if they can't scrummage they will cost you field position, momentum and ultimately points.

You should feel right at home supporting the Wobbs.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

 

[RoffsChoice]

I'll give an example of what I expect from each member of the team
Props:
Strong, heavy, good tackler
Loose: Quicker than the tight, takes hits well
Tight: Stronger than the loose, big hitter
Hooker:
Quicker than the Props, solid defense, can strip the ball in a maul
Locks:
Tall timber, can call and take well in the lineout, really strong pusher, second/third to ruck/maul, good tackler
(I think it really helps to have a lock who is lineout specialised and a lock who is ruck/maul specialised.)
Blindside:
Second-fastest forward, first to the ruck, gets you 5m when he runs the ball, third option at lineout
Openside:
Fastest forward, pilfer-pilfer-pilfer, clever at the back of the maul
8:
EITHER
Strong in the rucks/mauls, runs well when he breaks the line, a second 6
OR
Big hitter, doesn't go down easily, players are scared to tackle him
Scrum Half:
Gets to the ruck/maul quickly, can pass quickly and accurately, good line breaker, good box kick
Fly Half:
The most important man on the team, makes space for the guys outside him, clever kicker, directs traffic and sets up tries
Wings:
Really fast, if they can't bring a man down they can at least push him out, knows when to run and when to kick
Centres:
Inside: A jack-of-all-trades, can kick, pass or run effectively, second playmaker
Outside: Takes the ball to the line, knows when to pass and when to try and break, strongest back
Fullback:
The best tackler on the field, big clearance kick, knows when to run and when to kick

 

[JSRF10]

The hooker has be at the very least a solid line out thrower and one of the locks should be a line out "nerd" like Matfield or O'Connell who can run their own line out and destroy and the oppositions.

One of the centres should be able to be the leader in defence, organising defensive line etc.