Nathan Sharpe and the Scrum

[farva]

There seems to be an opinion around (especially on another site) that Nathan Sharpe does not push in the scrums.

What is the go here? Does he? Does anyone know?

Im not a second row expert, but surely the only people who could know are the props in front of him and the scrum coach?

I would have thought it impossible for a lock to make it as far as he has with that sort of deficiency. But then I thought that players at the international level could tackle, but then there is Quade Cooper...
But surely someone who has been around for a decade could have learned to play the scrums by now?

 

[Godfrey]

I'd love for the forumites who have decided that he "doesn't push" to pack down one on one against him, and find out for themselves. In my opinion it's an idiotic thing to say unless he or a coach has come out and said "I don't push".

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

If your locks aren't pushing in the scrum, then it goes backwards at a rapid rate, not downwards. Sharpie probably isn't the greatest scrummager, but he'd have to be pushing surely.

 

[MrMouse]

I'd love to get that chance, Godfrey. He and the boys would almost certainly bend me like a pretzel but geez the traction, surgery and rehab would be worth it!

There were certainly strong rumours/beliefs to that effect a few years back, but it was my understanding he took on board the feedback and worked on it. Believe me, the guys in front of him know one way or the other. I can't see him having the level of respect he does if he scrums like a wet leek.

 

[Scarfman]

1. We mean he is not a great scrummager, as evidenced by what happens in the scrum when he is there.

2. Godfrey, is that OK?

3. He might have got better.

 

[MrMouse]

Hornet - not necessarily so. A lock pushing badly can do all sorts of things, including redirect a prop's shove head first into the dirt. Kind of like, if lock goes / under your arse then you go \ into the ground. / \. You want to be - - so you go --->

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

I can only go on my own experiences playing there. A lot (nay most) of the drive in the scrum comes from the second row and the direction coming from the front row.

 

[Godfrey]

1. We mean he is not a great scrummager, as evidenced by what happens in the scrum when he is there.

2. Godfrey, is that OK?

3. He might have got better.

Don't take it personally if I think it's ridiculous to say that a professional second rower doesn't push. That's pretty different to saying he's not a good scrummager. Arm chair experts can loftily lay out the "facts" all they like without my blessing - but I'd still like to be able to make grumbling post about it ever 3 weeks or so.

 

[Brumbies Guy]

I'd love for the forumites who have decided that he "doesn't push" to pack down one on one against him, and find out for themselves. In my opinion it's an idiotic thing to say unless he or a coach has come out and said "I don't push".

As opposed to the rest of the speculation that goes on in this forum? lol

 

[cyclopath]

I doubt any of them "don't push". But, if video evidence over the past few years can be believed, some of them seem to push ineffectively, and it seems a lot relates to how well, or poorly, they bind to their front row and each other. Those splintered scrums from a few years back were plain ugly to see. Sharpe seemed to be associated with a lot of our poor scrummaging efforts, but as Scarfy says, he seems to have got better. Just as his general play got better, and tighter.

 

[Ruggo]

He pushes no doubt. He may not be a great scrummager but he gets by. His lineout Value is worth it.

 

[Lee Grant]

One of the negatives about the change in the team is that there are two LH locks in the 2nd row. Folks need not point out that Sharpe played on the right hand side of the Force scrum a lot this year, but he was like a gay guy in the front row of the audience watching the Victoria Secret girls as they floated down the runway.

Sharpie wasn't too excited about playing TH lock either.

 

[Godfrey]

As opposed to the rest of the speculation that goes on in this forum? lol

I'm all for speculation, but that's as ridiculous as saying a losing rally car driver loses because he doesn't press down on his accellerator.

 

[Richo]

Mate, I don't think anyone is suggesting that Sharpie doesn't push at all. The question is whether he gives 100% to every scrum shove. It's obvious that others don't (Exhibit A: McCalman the Meerkat) so it's a valid question, particularly on the back of the recent threads about the Wobs scrummaging.

 

[TOCC]

It's a bit hard to really tell from the footage and angles we get, but as far as I'm concerned there is definetly a weakness In Sharpes scrummaging technique, maybe his physique makes him incapable of pushing at those angles, maybe his shoulder keeps him timid...

Whatever it is, scrummaging definitely isn't his strength, but in terms of lineouts, he is the best we have...

 

[Sully]

Never has been.

 

[naza]

To describe him as a leaner is generous. At least Deans has stopped him from getting into his favourite spots at 1st and 2nd receiver.

 

[Slim 293]

It's a bit hard to really tell from the footage and angles we get, but as far as I'm concerned there is definetly a weakness In Sharpes scrummaging technique, maybe his physique makes him incapable of pushing at those angles, maybe his shoulder keeps him timid...

Whatever it is, scrummaging definitely isn't his strength, but in terms of lineouts, he is the best we have...

Well said...

It's no surprise that our scrum has looked its best in the past couple of years when Sharpe hasn't been there...

Horwill/Chisholm did fuck all for our lineout on last years EOYT (and didn't provide the go forward Sharpe has of late) but boy was our scrum solid...

 

[The_Brown_Hornet]

Just goes to show that we need Sharpe *and* Horwill to cover all aspects of the tight stuff.

 

[qwerty51]

God I hope Vickerman returns the same player as he left