Results 1 to 9 of 9

Thread: Super 14 Backrowers

  1. #1
    Immortal Contributor
    Moderator
    Burgs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Country WA
    Posts
    22,644
    vCash
    334000

    Super 14 Backrowers

    Taking the post of Chiefs on Richard Brown from this thread: http://thewholeforce.com/showthread.php?p=7136#post7136

    "I saw Richard Brown run the ball many a time but surely there must be a question mark over his size??
    If you take a look at Brown in comparison to Fava, Lauauki, Lyons, Roe, Rodney Sooialo.....he is tiny!
    His runs were completely ineffective I felt, lost ground mostly every hit-up.
    Get into the gym more mate!"


    This post interested me as it is sometimes easy to mis-judge players size etc from the sideline/television so I thought I'd do a little research to see what actually makes for a good backrow player.
    It is a bit unfair to compare Brown just to Number 8's or Flanker/Locks, as he is in fact a Flanker playing as a Number 8 rather than a specialist, so I had a look at the stats of some of the Super 14 Backrow stars and rising talents including the names you mentioned Chief.

    Richard Brown, 189cm, 101kg, 28/08/84
    Scott Fava, 189cm, 103kg, 19/01/76
    Sione Lauaki, 192cm, 118kg, 26/06/81
    David Lyons, 192cm, 117kg, 15/06/80
    John Roe, 188cm, 105kg, 10/04/77
    Rodney So'oialo, 190cm, 107kg, 03/10/79
    Daniel Heenan, 196cm, 111kg, 17/11/81
    George Smith, 180cm, 104kg, 14/07/80
    Chris Masoe, 183cm, 106kg, 15/05/79
    Jerry Collins, 191cm, 107kg, 04/11/80
    Richie McCaw, 188cm, 104kg, 31/12/80
    Josh Blackie, 191cm, 104kg, 03/08/79
    Schalk Burger, 193cm, 110kg, 13/04/83
    Hale T-Pole, 185cm, 100kg, 30/04/79
    Tim Davidson, 194cm, 101kg, 03/11/82
    Luke Doherty, 195cm, 105kg, 02/02/82
    Matt Hodgson, 184cm, 100kg, 25/06/81
    David Pocock, 181cm, 98kg, 23/04/88

    From this I would agree with you Chief that he indeed could do with some more weight to improve his impact (although I have rated his performance quite well over his short career at this level) however in terms of height he is around the average for true flankers.
    As the second youngest of this group listed he certainly has time on his side, T-Pole for example debuting at 27 years of age, and is sure to be hitting the weights over the next off seasons.
    My humble opinion is that he will become one of our leading lights in the next couple of years if we can keep hold of him.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    "Bloody oath we did!"

    Nathan Sharpe, Legend.

  2. #2
    Player Mambo No. 5's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Location
    Auckland
    Posts
    270
    vCash
    5000000
    Here here Burgs. As I mentioned in my reply post to Chief's statement I thought that he played very well. No better or worse than Fava would have. He ran a lot around the park and he was often there to help the backs run the ball out of the 22 after the bulls had kicked ahead. He might be a little light on but I thought he held his own and he has some pace about him..... Full marks from my point of view. And he has a great future. I believe that no. 8 is his prefered position according to the 'The West Australian' on Sat

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

  3. #3
    Immortal Contributor
    Moderator
    Burgs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Country WA
    Posts
    22,644
    vCash
    334000
    Quote Originally Posted by Mambo No. 5
    I believe that no. 8 is his prefered position according to the 'The West Australian' on Sat
    He has certainly played at 8 before Mambo however, his Force profile online (and I think in the season guide, can't find it at the moment) and all of his Rep rugby has been as a Flanker.
    For the next season or two I think he will be an impact player of the bench as we do have a fairly good depth in the back row.
    I would think for '07-'08 it will be looking something like:
    6. Pusey or Doherty
    7. Hodgson or Pocock
    8. Fava or Davidson
    19. Brown
    I know this looks a little strange having a bench player who is not a starting option but he is the type of player who can cover all three positions with his height, (potential) weight and speed.
    Obviously this would go out the window once injuries set in however, that is how I see it in a fully fit squad from next year, assuming no big name signings.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    "Bloody oath we did!"

    Nathan Sharpe, Legend.

  4. #4
    Player Rodent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Belmont
    Posts
    166
    vCash
    5000000
    Interesting...
    I would have said that Brown has been amoungst our best for the last 2 weeks.

    Certainly last week when he featured both offensively and defensively. I thought he hit the ball up quite well on Saturday and was once again strong defensively.

    I haven't re-watched the game yet, but my impression at the ground was that he had a good game. Did anyone else notice the HUGE improvement from Josh Gramah?? I thought he had a great game.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incompetent isn't the right word... But its the first one that comes to mind.
    -- Chuck Palahniuk.

  5. #5
    Player Rodent's Avatar
    Join Date
    Feb 2006
    Location
    Belmont
    Posts
    166
    vCash
    5000000
    oops. Typo, should read Graham.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    --------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Incompetent isn't the right word... But its the first one that comes to mind.
    -- Chuck Palahniuk.

  6. #6
    Legend
    Apprentice Bookie
    Contributor .X.'s Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Sydney
    Posts
    6,697
    vCash
    -14799739
    I think Browns contribution, particularly over the last couple of weeks has been excellent and is the reason why he has received votes from me in TWF Player Awards. The fact that he is always putting his hand up for those pick and drives will always make me sit up and take notice.

    For a young fella, Im very happy with his work rate and effort

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!

    Exile
    Sydney


    "Pain heels. Chicks dig scars and Glory lasts forever." Shane Falco

  7. #7
    I think when you talk about a "big" player it is influenced by their impact on the games. Guys playing big rather than being physically big.

    Sharpies a huge bugga and with the EWF this season he's starting to play big. The end of year tour to the UK had Sharpie as a big block doing stuff all.

    Nothing looks worse than a big lump not making an impact. However nothing is more imtimidating than a big bloke playing big. Thats what the Wallabies need more of.

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    ... on the 6th day God played rugby and on the 7th day he rested, because he was sore and a little hungover.

  8. #8
    Immortal Contributor
    Moderator
    Burgs's Avatar
    Join Date
    Oct 2005
    Location
    Country WA
    Posts
    22,644
    vCash
    334000
    Quote Originally Posted by Redbull
    I think when you talk about a "big" player it is influenced by their impact on the games. Guys playing big rather than being physically big.
    Great call Redbull, you often see smaller players able to drive a "big" player backwards due to superior body height, better skills and/or pure timing of the engagement.
    Obviously when you combine this skills package with a genuinely big bastard the opposition are going to be in for a pretty torrid time of it!
    Ask Josh Graham about getting it wrong though

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    "Bloody oath we did!"

    Nathan Sharpe, Legend.

  9. #9
    superior body height, better skills and/or pure timing of the engagement.
    Mainly its a big ticker and absolute self belief that you can't or won't be beaten.

    Mind you when it goes bad it goes awfully bad. The immoveable object meets the proverbial brick outhouse at speed =

    0 Not allowed! Not allowed!
    ... on the 6th day God played rugby and on the 7th day he rested, because he was sore and a little hungover.

Similar Threads

  1. The Fifth Australian Super Team
    By tdevil in forum Super Rugby
    Replies: 53
    Last Post: 21-06-09, 21:47
  2. Cash the key to a bigger Super 14
    By KenyaQuin in forum Rugby
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 05-02-08, 10:06
  3. Replies: 8
    Last Post: 01-02-08, 10:17
  4. 2008 Rebel Sport NZ Super 14 squads announced
    By The InnFORCEr in forum New Zealand
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 31-10-07, 14:31
  5. Replies: 17
    Last Post: 04-04-07, 16:10

Tags for this Thread

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •