The opening scenes of the film The Blind Side describe how, in an American football team, the offensive linesman is second only to the quarterback in terms of importance.
This had me pondering over the same theory in rugby terms. If your most important position is the first five, then what is second?
After analysing all of the Super teams in my recent best of series, and paying particular attention to the title-winning teams, the one position which stood out to me in terms of quality were the locks.
All of the championship teams boasted a high quality first five and one top-notch lock.
Consider the following combinations –
• Robin Brooke/Carlos Spencer
• Norm Maxwell/Andrew Mehrtens
• Justin Harrison/Stephen Larkham
• Chris Jack/Andrew Mehrtens
• Ali Williams/Carlos Spencer
• Mark Chisolm/Stephen Larkham
• Victor Matfield/Dereck Hougaard
• Brad Thorn/Daniel Carter
• Victor Matfield/Morne Steyn
• James Horwill/Quade Cooper
• Brodie Retallick/Aaron Cruden
Not only Super Rugby winners, all of the above were at one point or other incumbents in their respective national teams, with many considered to be the best in the world (with the exception perhaps of Hougaard who only managed eight Springbok caps but then there is an exception to every rule).
Of course there were quality players across all positions in those winning teams, but not in my view with the same consistency at lock and first five.
Why would lock be second-most important? The set piece is the short answer. Locks provide the power in your scrum, win your lineout ball and secure the kick-offs. They provide the impetus which everyone else feeds off and dominating the set piece allows your first five to dictate terms.
Look at the same positions with the world cup winners –
• Gary Whetton/Grant Fox
• John Eales/Michael Lynagh
• Mark Andrews/Joel Stransky
• John Eales/Stephen Larkham
• Martin Johnson/Johnny Wilkinson
• Victor Matfield/Morne Steyn
• Sam Whitelock/Daniel Carter, Colin Slade, Aaron Cruden, Stephen Donald (again, the exception to the rule)
An impressive list. An argument could be mounted for many to be the best in the world at the time.
Consider your own Super teams and in particular those that have not won a title. I’m betting all of them were unable to boast a high quality 10 and lock, certainly not playing at the same time. I think the Canes are a perfect example of this, a team chock full of quality everywhere else over the years, but not where it mattered most.
Let’s apply this theory to the Super Rugby teams this season and see if we can find a potential winner.
Before the season started, my immediate picks would have been the Reds with Horwill/Cooper, the Sharks with Pieter-Steph du Toit/Patrick Lambie and the Chiefs with Retallick/Cruden.
Where are these teams at now? The Reds have struggled this season and will be struggling to make the finals from here, while the Sharks and the Chiefs lead their respective conferences.
The Sharks have lost both Lambie and du Toit for the season. While they are still winning games, they have yet to embark on their month-long tour. They have traditionally been reasonable travellers, but I am picking they may struggle this year.
Can Willem Alberts and Fred Zielinger lead their team to a title? I have my doubts but they may be the exception to the rule.
The Chiefs too have injury concerns, with Cruden out for another five weeks. However, they possess a worthy replacement in Gareth Anscombe and are my current favourite to win from here.
Of the others I would suggest the Brumbies are the next best with Scott Fardy/Matt Toomua and Christian Lealiifano also forming a strong case.
I simply don’t see the same quality in both of these key positions in other teams, so if I was to pick a winner at this stage I would suggest it would be the Chiefs or the Brumbies.
The smokies in all this are the Crusaders. Carter will be available towards the back end of the season and the Whitelock/Carter combination is a powerful one. Can they get themselves into a good position before Carter’s return?
It is fair to say that if I was starting my own Super franchise, the first player I would focus on would be my first five – followed by a quality lock. I would build my team from there.
What say you Roarers? Ramblings of a bitter and twisted Canes fan or is the theory sound?
If you disagree, who would be your second-most important position and why?
Digby
Roar Guru
Good question Thomho, must give that some thought.
Thomas
Guest
Very entertaining read but why not look at it this way For whom would you as a supporter give off the biggest groan if any one player from 1 to 15 was to be sent off the field for a code violation for the remainder of the game ? ie whom would you miss most? is it a star player or is it a particular position you would most hate to lose ? Thomho
Nobrain
Guest
9,8, and 10.
Mike
Guest
Locks, 8, 9, 10 - in that order
Bordah
Guest
It's easy. The order of importance in position is printed on the backs of the players.
Birdy
Guest
Dane; I've seen a number of matches in which Alexander and, particularly Baxter, were by far the most important players in the Wallaby team. I've seen both be monstered so badly at the scrum that it was virtually impossible for their team, indeed any team, to win. I call that important.
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Cheers mate. Same to you!
Good answer, I think style of play dictates the importance of positions. We have seen many a time where Australia managed success with an average pack, whereby the importance of positions fell to the players at the back.
Digby
Roar Guru
They do to be fair. Sounds fantastic, enjoy!
Uncle Argyle
Guest
Mate they look strong on paper, sorry mate, having a great Easter up in Noosa with the clan. Awesome weather, few drinks, rugby, family and remembering who did what for us on Good Friday. One happy Uncle :)
Dane
Guest
I think you make the best of what you've got. As a schoolboy coach, some times I have dominant players in different positions, which you build your game plan around. Once I had a devasting linebreaker in the centres. In this situation, the halves don't need to be all that great as long as they can get the line breaker cleanish ball. Other times you might have a killer flanker who is 'in everything' I've seen dominant loose forwards, make a tackle, get to their feet, steal the ball, shimmy to the back of the ruck, run the blindside, chip over the blind winger, regather and then beat the winger to the line. I've also seen a flanker hit the opposition flyhalf (who was the opposition lynchpin) so many times in the ribs that he took his stance back 10 metres and started playing so deep he couldnt get his team across the advantage line. At the end of the match as he shook the victim's hand he said "sorry I hit you so many times, my coach told me to". In these junior games, the scrum wasn't so important but it certainly plays its part in senior football. Props are vital especially if a European style game is employed. However, you cant tell me Ben Alexander or Al Baxter were the most important players in their wallabies outfits. Nor did Owen Franks win the RWC for the ABs in 2011. However when its necessary the THP can be the most important player in the team (think Casto Giovanni)
Johnno
Guest
Lomu was a no 8, who was converted to wing. I remember Lomu played in 1994 vs the French the youngest AB on the wing, then a few weeks later s was playing no 8 for NZ U-21's. And when Lomu made his comeback he returned back to No 8 French Fédérale 1 team Marseille Vitrolles.
sixo_clock
Roar Guru
"Remember this is a team game - whatever you do - make sure you get the ball to Jonah". can't attribute it I'm afraid. The answer is the loosies, if a team had three good'uns then life is hell for the opposition, and if the front row snaffle some good pilfers at the ruck then boom, make a call to the Lions.
bryan
Guest
I surprised noone has mentioned the fullback... Try saving tackles, finishing tries, and not dropping the high ball is pretty important. Long kicking for territory is pretty underrated.
Tane Mahuta
Guest
[sigh] again NSW talking themselves up. Gill is clearly a better fullback and if he only had a chance he would prove it. This is nothing but NSW bias by Pulver and the ARU. Speaking of ARU and Pulver, Gill would be a much better CEO if given the chance.
ohtani's jacket
Guest
You musn't be paying attention. The most important position in rugby is an Israel Folau.
44bottles
Guest
That doesn't mean there isn't a key position. You can have an average team bolstered with good players in a few key positions (eg. 10) and make them a great team.
Warren Adamson
Roar Pro
As a loose head prop - I'm normally picked first anyway - it's the privilege of wearing the number 1 jersey...or I'm picked 16th.
44bottles
Guest
I think you can get away with an average 9, as long as the 10 gets good enough ball. Though it is a position where a bad player can't hide.
44bottles
Guest
From what I've seen in this thread, first five is the key position, and the other positions are all debated. People are pointing out positions such as flanker, lock and hooker, but have not agreed on which is key. I guess just the general forward pack needs to be of a higher standard. Examples have been made of teams that have not had good players in these positions yet still won. In my opinion, you need a great 10 (I think every team that won a SR title had a starting international 10, apart from Cruden who would arguably be starting in any other international team if he did not have Carter ahead of him), but can get away with having less amazing players in the other position. I'm not saying you can have horrible players in those positions, as no team will win if there are several very sub-par players in the team.