Poupou Escobar
Post Whore
- Messages
- 92,320
He makes less runs in 80 minutes than any of the props make in 40 minutes. The fact he does so much defending in the middle allows the front-rowers to focus on running the ball.
If he made more runs he'd be rooted a lot quicker and his runs and defence would be less effective. For that matter, his hit-ups just aren't good enough for a first grade front-rower.
Try and look at it this way; you have 3 tight forwards on the field at any one time. In our team one of those tight forwards (Hindy) plays 80 minutes and makes very few runs relative to the other two, who know they will play limited minutes and so make more runs per minute than any other player on the field.
These two are interchanged with another two front-rowers who play the exact same role when they come on.
You might notice at all times there's a 'main' front-rower making most of the runs. On our team this is alternately Mannah and Fui. The other guy makes less runs and works harder in defence, but still gets limited minutes. Hindy could play this role but why not leave him on for 80 minutes (he is the captain, after all) doing what he does best (tackling) and leave the centrefield carries to the experts?
If Hindy played front-row then you'd have to nominate one of the other back-rowers to play in the centre (otherwise it'll f**k the structure). I'm certain that's what happened for a period on Friday anyway, because we only had 3 props in the 17 and Hindy 'only' played 70-odd minutes. He probably joined the prop rotation at some stage - it was either him or Horo.
Nah, there's none mate.
Totally agree. But he's not hurting our attack by staying in the middle of the field.
Smith, Lasalo and Horo are certainly all more effective out wide but they can't all be on the field at once. And if they are then one needs to play in the middle (all teams play this structure, not just us).
As for Fui running wide, he's always done that. He did it a few times against the Bunnies, including one (good) run from dummy half 20m from the sideline.
Props are there to run the ball. That's their main job, especially Mannah and Moimoi. Most of the time, if they're available for the carry they'll get it, unless there's something else on (a kick or a shift, for example).
Mate, there's nothing wrong with having a different opinion, just don't always post it here, ok?
Last edited:
