Building the perfect rugby player: Props
In the first of a new series in which RugbyPass examines the prototypes of every position in the modern game and makes for the perfect player, we start with a look at the building blocks that make up the ideal loosehead and tighthead props.
Both positions ask slightly different demands of a player, although the desired attributes are more or less the same across the two roles, with the evolution in their influence on the pitch among the most significantly changed in recent years.
We break down the most important components in props below, with reference to the players at the position who are currently the gold standard in those areas.
First and foremost, the most basic need at prop is to be able to scrummage efficiently and effectively. It doesn’t necessarily decide games as frequently as it used to, particularly since the engagement sequence at the scrum was changed, though it can still be a difference-maker, as the Springboks relentlessly showed against England in the Rugby World Cup final last year.
As far as current players go, you’ll struggle to find a more adept scrummager than South Africa’s Steven Kitshoff, with the loosehead having breathed heavily down the neck of the iconic Tendai Mtawarira for a number of years now. Between his schooling in South Africa and the lessons he learned at Bordeaux-Bègles in the Top 14, without doubt the most testing club competition for scrummagers, Kitshoff’s set-piece ability has been honed into a potent weapon.
Another area where demands on props have been consistent is in the required work rate and stamina they are needed to show on the pitch. They may, almost universally, be replaced in the second half of games, but the amount of work they have to get through, given their sizeable frames, makes it an unenviable task for even the most gifted athletes.
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In the modern arena, no prop symbolises this as much as England’s Mako Vunipola. The skilful loosehead gets praise in all facets of his game, but his ability to play at a high level for an entire 80-minute shift, coupled with the amount of work he gets through in both attack and defence, ensures that he sets the standard at the position in this area.
Of course, rugby is a game all about getting over the gain-line and props play an important part in providing this front-foot ball. Props have always been required to carry, albeit that those carrying demands now extend a little further out from the ruck and in less orthodox situations.
Ireland’s Tadhg Furlong currently leads the way as a ball-carrying prop, whether that is bullocking his way over defenders as a first receiver and on the pick and go, or as a more mobile option running at space in the loose. The tighthead is all but impossible to stop before or on the gain-line without double teaming him in defence.
Where the game has changed significantly for props is in the expectation that they should be able to contribute as a ball-handler and playmaker in a way that was not commonplace in past eras of the game. If a prop can’t contribute in that way on a pitch, there’s a good chance they will not be in the starting XV.
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For a pacesetter in ball-handling, look no further than England’s Kyle Sinckler, with the abrasive tighthead more than capable of showing subtlety and skill, as well as ferocious physical ability. As a first receiver, Sinckler arguably has the best hands in the international arena, his catch-and-pass is reminiscent of most fly-halves, and his offloading regularly keeps phases alive for his side.
Finally, we come to the last attribute and that is athletic and physical ability. For years, props were expected to be mountainous in order to deal with their set-piece responsibilities and enforce themselves on the game, though now they are expected to add pace, mobility and general athletic ability to that necessary physical element.
In this area, no one quite compares to Wales’ Rhys Carré, where the 22-year-old’s top gear, and quickness with which he can move through them, is unsurpassed among his international colleagues and rivals. As explosive as they come, Carré is a fitting heir apparent to Gethin Jenkins in the Welsh pack.
Scrummaging – Steven Kitshoff
Work rate and stamina – Mako Vunipola
Ball-carrying – Tadhg Furlong
Ball-handling and playmaking – Kyle Sinckler
Mobility and explosion – Rhys Carré
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Comments on RugbyPass
“But with an exceptional pass accuracy rating “ Which apart from Roigard is not a feature of any of the other 9s in NZ. Kind of basic for a Black 9 dont.you. think? Yet we keep seeing FC and TJ being rated ahead of him? Weird if it’s seen as vital to get our backline beating in your face defences.
1 Go to commentsThanks BeeMc! Looks like many teams need extra time to settle from the quadrennial northern migration. I think generally the quality of the Rugby has held up. Fiji has been fantastic and fun to watch
13 Go to commentsLets compare apples with apples. Lyon sent weak team the week before, but nobody raised an eyebrow. Give the South African teams a few years to build their depth, then you will be moaning that the teams are too strong.
41 Go to commentsDid footballs agents also perform the scout role at some time? I’m surprised more high profile players haven’t taken up the occupation, great way to remain in the game and use all that experience without really requiring a lot of specific expertise?
1 Go to commentsSuper rugby is struggling but that has little to do with sabbaticals. 1. Too many teams from Aust and NZ - should be 3 and 4 respectively, add in 2 from Japan, 1 possibly 2 from Argentina. 2. Inconsistent and poor refereeing, admittedly not restricted to Super rugby. Only one team was reffed at the breakdown in Reds v H’Landers match. Scrum penalty awarded in Canes v Drua when No 8 had the ball in the open with little defence nearby - ideal opportunity to play advantage. Coming back to Reds match - same scrum situation but ref played advantage - Landers made 10 yards and were penalised at the breakdown when the ref should have returned to scrum penalty. 3. Marketing is weak and losing ground to AFL and NRL. Playing 2 days compared with 4. 4. Scheduling is unattractive to family attendance. Have any franchises heard of Sundays 2pm?
11 Go to commentsAbsolutely..all they need is a chance in yhe playoffs and I bet all the other teams will be nervous…THEY KNOW HOW TO WIN IM THE PLAYOFFS..
2 Go to commentsI really hope he comes back and helps out with some coaching.
1 Go to commentsI think we are all just hoping that the Olympic 7s doesn’t suffer the same sad fate as the last RWC with the officials ruining the spectacle.
1 Go to commentsPersonally, I’ve lost the will to even be bothered about the RFU, the structure, the participants. It’s all a sham. I now simply enjoy getting a group of friends together to go and watch a few games a year in different locations (including Europe, the championship, etc). I feel extremely sorry for the real fans of these clubs who are constantly ignored by the RFU and other administrators. I feel especially sorry for the fans of clubs in the Championship who have had considerable central funding stripped away and are then expected to just take whatever the RFU put to them. Its all a sham, especially if the failed clubs are allowed to return.
9 Go to commentsI’m guessing Carl Hayman would have preferred to have stayed in NZ with benefit of hindsight. Up north there is the expectation to play twice as many games with far less ‘player management’ protocols that Paul is now criticising. Less playing through concussions means longer, healthier, careers. Carter used as the eg here by Paul, his sabbatical allowed him to play until age 37. OK its not an exact science but there is far more expectations on players who sign for Top 14 or Engl Prem clubs to get value for the huge salaries. NZR get alot wrong but keeping their best players in NZ rugby is not one of them. SA clubs are virtually devoid of their top players now, no thanks. They cant threaten the big teams in the Champions Cup, the squads have little depth. Cant see Canes/Chiefs struggling. Super has been great this year, fantastic high skill matches. Drua a fantastic addition and Jaguares will add another quality team eventually. Aus teams performing strongly and no doubt will benefit with the incentive of a Lions tour and a home RWC. Let Jordie enjoy his time with Leinster, it will allow the opportunity for another player to emerge at Canes in his absence.
11 Go to commentsLove that man, his way to despise angry little men is so funny ! 😂
4 Go to comments“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
4 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
9 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
35 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
35 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
17 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
4 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
5 Go to comments