Building the perfect rugby player: Hooker
Following on from the inaugural article focused on props in our new series looking at what goes into making the perfect rugby player, we now turn our attentions to the hooker position.
Just as with looseheads and tightheads, a lot more is expected of hookers in the modern era than was previously, with the days of a solid set-piece contributor being enough to crack most first XVs long gone.
It is also a particularly exciting time at the position, with an array of difference-makers currently plying their trade in the international arena. As we did with the props, we will pick out the five key attributes for the position and the players that best exemplify those qualities from all over the world.
We start as we did with the props, and that is with foundation of set-piece stability. Most notably at the hooker position this comes from a player’s ability to consistently hit their jumpers at the lineout, whether that is through a simple throw to the front or more challenging – but with bigger rewards – longer throws to the middle or back pod, or even beyond the lineout to a waiting runner.
At the Rugby World Cup, no player was as accurate throwing in at the lineout as South Africa’s Bongi Mbonambi. Credit is also due to Springboks’ contingent of jumpers, though without Mbonambi’s inch-perfect throws, a lot of the South African game plan would have fallen apart out in Japan. In addition, the Stormer also helped Tendai Mtawarira and Frans Malherbe give Rassie Erasmus the most dominant scrum at the tournament.
Traditionally, hookers, as often smaller than their front row counterparts, have tended to be more mobile and therefore more able to influence the game at the breakdown, phase after phase. It was also fairly common to see hookers transition between roles in the two jersey and spots on the flank in the back row. Even today, with the advent of professionalism and increased specialisation, it’s still a positional switch that occurs semi-regularly.
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As an example of a hooker who can make a difference in this area of the game, you don’t have to look any further than Scotland’s Fraser Brown, with the Glasgow Warrior having taken on roles in the back row on multiple occasions. From his ability to latch on over the ball and prove a predatory threat in defence, to the accurate and physical work he does clearing at attacking breakdowns, Brown is a fine example of this aspect of a hooker’s game.
Again, in line with what we previously said about props, work rate and stamina are big components in the modern hooker’s arsenal. Like the props, they tend to be replaced midway through the second half, but the bulk they carry around the pitch, as well as the attritional work they get through at the scrum, requires immense levels of stamina.
England’s Jamie George is the epitome of the hard-working, non-stop hooker in the modern game. Like his Saracens teammate Mako Vunipola, who featured in this same category for the props, George’s well-rounded skill set is only made to look so impressive by his aerobic capacity to keep performing throughout the course of a game and the hunger and work rate to keep executing, even when fatigued.
The modern hooker is also a weapon in the loose and there tends to be even more asked of them as ball-carriers than there is of props. This can range from the physical behemoths who barrel their way through would-be tacklers, to the more diminutive and evasive players at the position, but whatever the method of attack is, they tend to be vital to getting a team on the front-foot and over the gain-line.
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The greatest example of this in the modern game, and this player falls very much in the behemoth model of hooker, is South Africa’s Malcolm Marx. The giant 25-year-old is one of the most potent ball-carriers on the planet and he has run rampant through international and Super Rugby defences alike over the past few years.
Finally, we come to ball-handling. Again, due to the added mobility that hookers tend to have in comparison their teammates either side of them at the scrum, they regularly become involved with the game in the more open expanses of the pitch. In order to have the maximum impact in those areas that they can, they need to be more than capable ball-handlers and distributors, something that certainly hasn’t always been a staple among front rowers.
He may have had his challenges with injuries over the last season or two, but no hooker demonstrates this more completely than New Zealand’s Dane Coles. Before the likes of George, Marx and Mbonambi rose to prominence, Coles was seen as the pinnacle of the position and a lot of that had to do with his remarkable ability to link play, keep phases alive and look entirely at home in the wide channels and among the backs.
Lineout throwing and scrummaging – Bongi Mbonambi
Breakdown – Fraser Brown
Work rate and stamina – Jamie George
Ball-carrying – Malcolm Marx
Ball-handling – Dane Coles
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Comments on RugbyPass
Four Kiwis in that backline. A solid statement on the lack of invention, risk-taking and joy in the NH game; game of attrition and head- banging tedium. Longterm medical problems aplenty in the future!
1 Go to commentsGood article, I learnt quite a lot. A big sliding door moment was in the mid 00s when they rejected Steve Anderson's long term transformation and he wrote Ireland's strategy instead.
2 Go to commentsHi Dr Nick! I'm worried that I've started to enjoy watching England and have actually wanted them to win their last two games. What would you prescribe? On a more serious note, I've noticed that the standard of play in March is often better than early February. Do you think this is because of the weather or because the players have been together for longer?
9 Go to commentsMy question in all this brett is who is going to wear the consequences of these actions? Surely just getting the sack isn’t sufficient? A teenager working the till at woolies would probably get taken to court if they took $20 out of the till. You mean to tell me that someone can spend $2.6 million and get away with it? Where was it spent? What companies/people were the beneficiaries etc? How is it just being talked about as an ‘oopsie’ and we all just move on and not a matter of the court for gross negligence, fraud, take your pick…
18 Go to commentslove Manu too but England have relied on him coming back from injury for far too long and not sorted the position with someone else long term . It will be a blessing he has gone . Huge shame he was so injury prone . God speed Manu .
3 Go to commentsI agree with Ben Smith about Brett Cameron. The No. 6 position has to be a monster and a genuine lineout option, like Ollivon, Lawes (now Chessum), Du Toit, etc. The only player who fits that bill right now is Scott Barrett. A fit and fizzing Tuipolotu together with one of the young towers, Sam Darry or Josh Lord, would give Razor the freedom to play Barret at 6.
15 Go to commentsOutstanding article, Graham. Agree with all of it. And enjoy the style of writing too (particularly Grand Slap!).
2 Go to commentsI wouldn't pay a cent for that loafer. He just stands around, waiting for play to come his way. He won't make the Wallabies.
1 Go to commentsGood bit of te reo maori Nic. Or is that Niko or Nikora? On the theme of trees the Oaks v Totara. Game plan would be key. I have one but it would cost you.
9 Go to comments> Shaun Edwards’ You should not have to score 30 points to win a game, as exciting as it is. This statement was surprising to me. It is nonsensical .I guess it is a defence coach speaking. But head coach, defence and attacking coaches all work together. They are inseparable. You score more than the opposition to win. It only needs to be one score. You score whatever the game demands, whatever the opposition demand. You defend whatever it takes. The attack coach needs to be able to clock up 30pts if need be.
9 Go to commentsWho’d have thought, not having Farrell & Youngs kicking the ball at every possible opportunity and playing flat and allowing your centres to run and pass would pay off? No one could possibly have seen this coming. FML. It took a LONG time coming but at least that time has finally come. England need to find a backup to Lawrence. Freeman is the best candidate for me, I see no reason why he can't play 12. He's big, strong, fast and has great hands.
9 Go to commentsLove Manu but he's not the player he was and I imagine Bayonne have paid too much money for him.
3 Go to commentsNew Zealand have not beaten England since 2018 and even that was a pretty close shave.
1 Go to comments“a renewed focus on Scottish-qualified players” Scottish-qualified is another way of saying English. England has development more players for the Scotland national Rugby team in the last 4 years, than Scotland has.
2 Go to commentsThis sounds a lot like the old Welsh rugby proverb “Wales never lose. Other teams just score more points.”
5 Go to commentsFinally,at last, Borthwick has done what the whole of England have been crying out for. Ditch the kick chase and let the players have freedom to attack and run with the ball. It was great to see. Ford played really well and for the first time in ages was 5 yards closer to the gainline which then allowed a more attacking position . Pity it has taken 90 odd caps to do so. However, this has to continue and not be a false dawn . One issue. Marcus. With Ford having one really good game in 5 ,is he the answer long term . Smith puts bums on seats and is terrific to watch . How can you leave him out before he departs for France in disillusion . England are in danger of Simmons , Alex Goode , Cipriani , Mercer and now Smith being unable to get a selection ahead of “favourites” of the management regardless of form . Great to see England play so well .
2 Go to commentsCockerill was an abrasive player in the mould of a Georgian front rower who will have the respect of that pack. Looking forward to seeing what he can do with this exciting team, hopefully they can send a message to unions like Wales that money alone doesn't buy you wins.
2 Go to commentsI like the look of those July matches. Hopefully they'll get some good tests in November too.
2 Go to commentsThis is a poor article, essentially just trolling six nations teams
22 Go to commentsConnaught man? How you can write that without blushing.
6 Go to comments