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
Thanks Brett, love your articles which are alway pertinent. It’s a difficult topic trying to have a panel adjudicating consistently penalties for red card issues. Many of the mitigating reasons raised are judged subjectively, hence the different outcomes. How to take away subjective opinions?
4 Go to commentsYes Sir! Surprising, just like Fraser would also have escaped sanction if he was a few inches lower, even if it was by accident that he missed! Has there really been talk about those sanctions or is this just sensational journalism? I stopped reading, so might have missed any notations.
4 Go to commentsAI is only as good as the information put in, the nuances of the sport, what you see out the corner of the eye, how you sum up in a split second the situation, yes the AI is a tool but will not help win games, more likely contribute to a loss, Rugby Players are not robots, all AI can do if offer a solution not the solution. AI will effect many sports, help train better golfers etc.
45 Go to commentsIt couldn’t have been Ryan Crotty. He wasn’t selected in either World Cup side - they chose Money Bill instead. And Money Bill only cared about himself, and that manager he had, not the team.
26 Go to commentsYawn 🥱 nobody would give a hoot about this new trophy. End of the day we just have to beat Ireland and NZ this year then they can finally shut up 🤐
13 Go to commentsTalking bout Ryan Crotty? Heard Crotty say in a interview once that SBW doesen't care about the team . He went on to say that whenever they lost a big game, SBW would be happy as if nothing happened, according to him someone who cares would look down.. Personally I think Crotty is in the wrong, not for feeling gutted but for expecting others 2 be like him… I have been a bad loser forever as it matters so much to me but good on you SBW for being able to see the bigger picture….
26 Go to commentsThis sounds like a WWE idea so Americans can also get excited about rugby, RUGBY NEEDS A INTERNATIONAL CALENDER .. The rugby Championship and Six Nations can be held at same time, top 3 of six nations and top 3 of Rugby championship (6 nations should include Georgia AND another qualifying country while Fiji, Japan and Samoa/Tonga qualifier should make out 6 Southern teams).. Scrap June internationals and year end tours. Have a Elite top six Cup and the Bottom 6 in a secondary comp….
13 Go to commentsThe rugby championship would be even stronger with Fiji in it… I know it doesen’t fit the long term plans of NZ or Aus but you are robbing a whole nation of being able to see their best players play for Fiji…. Every second player in NZ and AUS teams has Fijian surnames… shame on you!!! World rugby won’t step in either as France and England has now also joined in…. I guess where money is involved it will always be the poor countries missing out….
84 Go to commentsNo surprise there. How hard can it be to pick a ball off the ground and chuck it to a mate? 😂
2 Go to commentsSometimes people just like a moan mate!
4 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
13 Go to comments9 Brumbies! What a joke! The best performing team in Oz! Ditch Skelton for Swain or Neville. Ryan Lonergan ahead of McDermott any day! Best selection bolter is Toole … amazing player
12 Go to commentsI like this, but ultimately rugby already has enough trophies. Trying to make more games “consequential" might prove to be a fools errand, although this is a less bad idea than some others. Minor quibble with the title of the article; it isn’t very meaningful to say the boks are the unofficial world champions when it would be functionally impossible for the Raeburn trophy not to be held by the world champions. There’s a period of a few months every 4 years when there is no “unofficial” world champion, and the Raeburn trophy is held by the actual world champions.
13 Go to commentsIts a great idea but one that I dont think will have a lot of traction. It will depend on the prestige that they each hold but if you can do that it would be great. When Japan beat the Boks (my team) I was absolutely devestated but I wont deny the great game they played that day. We were outclassed and it was one of the best games of rugby I have seen. Using an idea like this you might just give the the underdog teams more of an opportunity to beat the big teams and I can absolutely see it being a brilliant display of rugby. They beat us because they planned for that game. It was a great moment for Japan. This way we can remove the 4 year wait and give teams something to aim for outside of World Cup years.
13 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
13 Go to commentsDon’t think that headline is accurate. It’s great to see Aus doing better but I’m not sure they’ve shown much threat to the top of the table. They shouldn’t be inflating wins against the lousy Highlanders and Crusaders either.
3 Go to commentsSuch a shame Roigard and Aumua picked up long term injuries, probably the two form players in the comp. Also, pretty sure Clarke Dermody isn’t their coach. Got it half right though.
3 Go to commentsOh the Aussie media, they never learn. At least Andrew Kellaway is like “Woah, yeah it’s great, but settle down there guys” having endured years of the Aussie media, fans, and often their players getting ahead of themselves only to fall flat on their faces. Have the “We'll win the Bledisloe for sure this year!” headlines started yet? It’s simple to see what’s going on. The Aussie teams are settled, they didn't lose any of their major players overseas. The Crusaders and Chiefs lost key experienced All Blacks, and Razor in the Crusaders case, and clearly neither are anywhere near as strong as last year (The Canes and Blues would probably be 3rd & 4th if they were). The Highlanders are annually average, even more so post-Aaron Smith and a big squad clean out. The two teams at the top? The two nz sides with largely the same settled roster as last year, except Ardie Savea for the Canes. They’ve both got far better coaches now too. If the Aussies are going to win the title, this is the year the kiwi sides will be weakest, so they better take their chance.
3 Go to commentsThe World Cup has to be the gold standard, line in the sand. 113 teams compete for what is the opportunity to make the pool stages, and then the knockout games for the trophy. The concept is sound. This must have been the rationale when the World Cup was created, surely? But I’m all for Looking forward and finding new ways for the SH to dominate the NH into the future. The autumn series needs a change up. Let’s start by having the NH teams come south every odd year for the Autumn/Spring series games?
13 Go to commentsWhat’ll happen when the AI models of the future go back in time and try to destroy the AI models of the past standing in their way of certain victory?
45 Go to comments