Weakest/strongest position in world rugby

Discussion in 'Rugby Union Discussion' started by Magrat Garlick, Jun 3, 2013.

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  1. Magrat Garlick M Garlick

    Inspired by the debate at the end of the All Blacks thread

    which position has the most/least quality players in the world right now? I don't rate any of the scrum halves around now Fourie du Preez has faffed off to Japan, so that'd be my nom for weakest.
     
    Magrat Garlick, Jun 3, 2013
    #1

  2. MrPrez CM Dyer

    With my limited knowledge I'd imagine the centres would be up there for the strongest?
     
    MrPrez, Jun 3, 2013
    #2

  3. Droos JP Rhodes

    No offense, but that kinda doesn't make sense, because Fourie Du Preez is still playing and thus still in contention. If your post read "Current international incumbents" or something similar, that would have made sense. His moving to Japan doesn't remove him off the grid and he would still add to depth / strength in that position.

    Anyhoo, I reckon I need to think about my answers a little more. :p
     
    Droos, Jun 3, 2013
    #3

  4. Jabba HJ Bots

    Strongest would be backrowers NZ has about 6 who are of international standard alone
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2013
    Jabba, Jun 3, 2013
    #4

  5. Mike ML Martyn

    Lock would have to be up there for the weakest. On the scrum-half position, Aaron Smith, Tawera Kerr-Barlow and TJ Perenara are all high potential players over here. I rate Phillips and Genia highly, although admittedly I haven't seen the former play in ages.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2013
    Mike, Jun 3, 2013
    #5

  6. Magrat Garlick M Garlick

    Nah, I don't treat Japan as proper rugby. If a man scores a try in Japan, does it make a sound?
     
    Magrat Garlick, Jun 3, 2013
    #6

  7. MrPrez CM Dyer

    :laugh:!
     
    MrPrez, Jun 3, 2013
    #7

  8. Magrat Garlick M Garlick

    Yeah agree with this. Is also one of the few positions where NH have competent players imo.
     
    Magrat Garlick, Jun 3, 2013
    #8

  9. Jabba HJ Bots

    Yeah very much agreed. Notsure on England or Ireland but Wales and France probably have about 5 between them who you could bracket in the group with Messam,Vito and below McCaw,Read,Dusatoir etc
     
    Jabba, Jun 3, 2013
    #9

  10. Howe JHF Howe

    Lions will have a weakness at #8 imo, but the competition for flanker spots is pretty fierce with the newer Leekists coming through like Tipuric and Lydiate. Croft is back on song too and in this kind of form he's one of the best blindsides in the world.
     
    Last edited: Jun 3, 2013
    Howe, Jun 3, 2013
    #10

  11. Droos JP Rhodes

    Agree. I don't rate Faletau.
     
    Droos, Jun 3, 2013
    #11

  12. Mike ML Martyn

    I'd probably only take Kaino over Croft as far as blindside flankers go.
     
    Mike, Jun 3, 2013
    #12

  13. Jabba HJ Bots

    Read can play 6 pretty darn well even though he mainly plays 8.
     
    Jabba, Jun 3, 2013
    #13

  14. The Boy Brumby ZJ Brumby

    Comes with the "'twas only the Baa-Baas" disclaimer, but Faletau was exceptional on Saturday. Compared very favourably with Parisse who's routinely called the world's best #8.

    Inside centre is a real weakness in the NH at least. Lions only have one specialist in the squad & Dr Roberts isn't exactly a ball playing 2nd 5/8. Very much a piano shifter rather than a surgeon, despite the medical degree.
     
    The Boy Brumby, Jun 4, 2013
    #14

  15. Howe JHF Howe

    Is Fofana a #12 or #13?
     
    Howe, Jun 4, 2013
    #15

  16. The Boy Brumby ZJ Brumby

    Debateable.

    I mean, he usually plays #12 for Clermont and France, but (I suspect) more because he has respectively Rougerie and Basterau alongside him, who're both definitely outside centres.

    He's kinda a 12 and a half; def has the step and the glide for 12, but his kicking isn't that of an international 2nd 5/8.

    Think les frogs have even stuck him on the wing on occasion.
     
    The Boy Brumby, Jun 4, 2013
    #16

  17. Hurricane JD Hurricane

    I think the last time I looked at the world's players was during the world cup.

    Hookers - I never notice them
    Props - I thought there were plenty of quality props going around and even Tonga looked strong there and wouldn't take a backward step.
    2nd row - No superstars but pretty even talent
    back row - many superstars most depth out of any position

    10s - lack of depth here. Remember thinking England were not as strong as others.
    12s Plenty to go around (except Aussie)
    13s Good depth (except Aussie)
    Wings - No Lomus on display but everyone had a least one good wing.
     
    Hurricane, Jun 4, 2013
    #17

  18. Droos JP Rhodes

    I'll do more or less the same as Hurricane here:

    Props: Many international quality props - very high on depth.

    Hookers: In my opinion not the strongest position - medium depth.

    Locks: Not as many world leading rugby players as there used to be, but still enough decent quality players - medium/high depth.

    Flankers: High quality all round - very high depth.

    Scrumhalves: Same as hookers - medium depth.

    Fly halfves: A couple of top flight individuals, with decent enough back up - medium/high depth.

    Wings: More than enough world class players going around - highest depth.

    Inside centers: Really thin at the moment with older players fading away and younger players not yet established - lowest depth.

    Outside centers: Still enough good quality older and younger players - high depth

    Fullbacks: Plenty high quality players available with some very good versatile players able to fill in - very high depth.
     
    Droos, Jun 4, 2013
    #18

  19. HeathDavisSpeed HT Davis

    Hasn't been a world class hooker in years IMO.
     
    HeathDavisSpeed, Jun 4, 2013
    #19

  20. Droos JP Rhodes

    I for one will campaign heavily for Bismarck Du Plessis, there hasn't been many like him before and no one currently even near his class.

    But yes, I concur with you up to Bismarck.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2013
    Droos, Jun 4, 2013
    #20
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