'I'd have said a firm 'no' in his position' - Flatman applauds prop for refusing to play hooker
Former England prop David Flatman has applauded a fellow frontrower for refusing to play at hooker, despite the suggestion from his team manager.
Wasps loosehead Tom West refused to scrummage at hooker when asked by referee Wayne Barnes, after both of his side’s available hookers were injured.
? A fascinating listen…
Here is exactly what happened when Wayne Barnes asked Tom West if he was happy to safely scrum at hooker for Wasps ?
Players' safety always comes first ?#GPTonight pic.twitter.com/R8S8fhNA5Q
— Rugby on TNT Sports (@rugbyontnt) August 31, 2020
Flatman, who has turned his hand to commentating and analysis since ending his career, suggested West had made the right decision, a decision he would have made himself.
“Wasps doctor [later clarified as team manager] says West the prop happy to switch to hooker after both selected hookers get injured. When asked by the ref, West says he isn’t comfortable after all. Very odd situation…”
Wasps doctor days West the prop happy to switch to hooker after both selected hookers get injured. When asked by the ref, West says he isn’t comfortable after all. Very odd situation… ?
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) August 31, 2020
Flatman was asked had he been placed in a similar situation and what his response was/would have been.
No and no. I’d have said a firm ‘no’ in his position.
— David Flatman (@davidflatman) August 31, 2020
In the replies, one Tweeter was asked when the positions had become so specialised, and was quickly shot down by current England and Leicester Tigers prop Ellis Genge, who responded: “I just can’t believe you’ve said that”
I just can’t believe you’ve said that ?
— Gengey (@EllisGenge) August 31, 2020
With the increasing size of rugby players and an understanding of the severe risks posed and gigantic forces involved in playing in the front row, many agreed with Flatman’s observation and support for West. Others chipped in with their own stories of refusing to play hooker, or circumstances in which they had objected to others switching position.
One man tweeted: “Popped two discs filling in at hooker from the back row at 18 years old. Didn’t have a clue what I was doing and lucky it wasn’t worse. Effectively ended my rugby career before it began.”
Popped two discs filling in at hooker from the back row at 18 years old. Didn’t have a clue what I was doing and lucky it wasn’t worse. Effectively ended my rugby career before it began. ?
— Chris Green (@DrChrisGreen) August 31, 2020
Another posted that he had stepped in when a young teammate was about to be put in against a grizzled veteran.
“I got into a raging argument with the opposition players yrs ago in Norway, we lost 2 props and the only player left on the bench was a 16yr old playing his first game ever. I refused to let him scrummage against a 35yr Scottish behemoth. Almost came to blows. Ref took my side”.
I got into a raging argument with the opposition players yrs ago in Norway, we lost 2 props and the only player left on the bench was a 16yr old playing his first game ever. I refused to let him scrummage against a 35yr scottish behemoth. Almost came to blows. Ref took my side
— David O'Brien ???? (@DavidOB94779193) August 31, 2020
Scrummaging is widely considering to be one of the most potentially dangerous pursuits in the game, although severe injuries are thankfully rare. Injuries sustained following circumstances in which players played out of position in the scrum have resulted in civil cases, with referees being held to account.
Comments on RugbyPass
No Islam says it must rule where it stands Thus it is to be deleted from this planet Earth
18 Go to commentsThis team probably does not beat the ABs sadly Not sure if BPA will be available given his signing for Force but has to enter consideration. Very strong possibility of getting schooled by the AB props. Advantage AB. Rodda/Skelton would be a tasty locking combination - would love to see how they get on. Advantage Wallabies. Backrow a risk of getting out hustled and outmuscled by ABs. Will be interesting to see if the Blues feast on the Reds this weekend the way they did the Brumbies we are in big trouble at the breakdown. Great energy, running and defence but goalkicking/general kicking/passing quality in the halves bothers me enormously. SA may have won the World Cup for a lot of the tournament without a recognised goalkicker but Pollard in the final made a difference IMO. Injuries and retirements leave AB stocks a bit lighter but still stronger. 12 and 13 ABs shade it (Barret > Paisami, Ione = Ikitau, arguably) Interesting clash of styles on the wings - Corey Toole running around Caleb Clark and Caleb running over the top of Toole. Reece vs Koro probably the reverse. Pretty even IMO. 15s Kelleway = Love See advantage to ABs man for man, but we are not obviously getting slaughtered anywhere which makes a nice change. Think talent wise we are pretty even and if our cohesion and teamwork is better than the ABs then its just about doable.
11 Go to commentsCompletely agree. More friday night games would be a hit. RFU to make sure every club has a floodlit pitch. Club opens again Saturday to welcome touch / tag. Minis and youths on Sunday
3 Go to comments1.97m and 105Kg? Proportionately, probably skinnier than me at 1.82 and 82kilos. He won’t survive against the big guys at that weight.
55 Go to commentsThe value he brought to the crusaders as an assistant was equal to what he got out of being there. He reflected not only on the team culture but also the credit he attributed to the rugby community. Such experience shouldn’t be overlooked.
5 Go to commentsGood luck Aussie
11 Go to commentssmith at 9 / mounga 10 / laumape 12 / fainganuku 14
54 Go to commentsBar the injuries, it’s pretty much their top team …
2 Go to commentsDon’t disagree with much of this but it appears you forgot Rodda and Beale, who started at the Force on the weekend.
11 Go to commentsExcept for the injured Zach Gallagher this would be Saders best forward pack for the season. Blackadder needs to stay at 7, for all of Christies tackling he is not dominant and offers very little else. McNicholfullback is maybe a good option, Fihaki not really upto it, there was a reason Burke played there last year. Maybe Havilli to 2nd five McLeod to wing. Need a strong winger on 1 side to compliment Reece
1 Go to commentsTo me TJ is clearly the best 9 in the competition right now but he's also a proven player off the bench, there's few playmaking players who can come off the bench as calm and settled as he is, Beauden can, TJ can and I doubt any of the scrumhalves in contention can, if they want to experiment with new 9s I want him on the bench ready to step in if they crumble under the pressure. The Boks put their best front row on the bench, I'd like to see us take a similar approach, the Hurricanes have been doing similar things with players like Kirifi.
54 Go to commentsROG has better chance to win a WC if he starts training and make himself eligible as a player. He won’t make the Ireland squad but I reckon he may get close with Namibia (needs to improve his Afrikaans) or Portugal. Both sides had 1000:1 odds to win the RWC in 2023 which is an improvement on ROG’s odds of winning a RWC as a coach. Unlike Top 14 teams, national teams can’t go shopping and buy the best players - you work with the available talent pool and turn them into world beaters.
5 Go to commentsthat backline nope that backline is terrible why would you have sevu Reece when he’s not even top 5 wingers in the comp why have Blackadder when there’s better players no Scott barret isn’t an automatic the guy is more of a liability than anything why have him there when you have samipeni who’s far far better
54 Go to commentsAh, good to find you Nick. Agree with everything about Cale. So much to like about his game
55 Go to commentsNot too bad. Questions at 6, lock and HB for me. The ABs will be a lot stronger once Jordan and Roigard return. Also, work needs to be made to secure Frizzell back for next season and maybe also Mo’unga; they’re just wasting time playing in japan
54 Go to commentsOn the title, i wonder for many of those people it is a case something like a belief in working smarter, not harder?
1 Go to commentsForget Sotutu. One of those whose top level is Super Rugby. Id take a punt on Wallace Sititi Finau ahead of Glass body Blackadder.
54 Go to commentsI’m a pensioner so I've been around a bit. My opinion of SBW is he is an elite athlete and a great New Zealander and roll model. He has been to the top and knows what he's talking about. To all the negative comments regarding SBW the typical New Zealand way, cut that tall poppy down.
18 Go to commentsI'm not listening to a guy moralise over others when this is the guy who walked out mid season on Canterbury RLFC when he had a contract with them, what a hypocrite. All the Kiwis sticking up for this unprincipled individual because they can't accept justified criticism, he has zero credibility or integrity. Those praising him are a joke.
18 Go to commentsI’d put Finau at 6 instead of Blackadder but that’s the only change I’d make. Can’t wait to see who Razor picks.
54 Go to comments