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Midfield mass: The changing weight of centres since the 1987 Rugby World Cup to present day
Of all positions on a rugby field, the centres remain perhaps the most unique and diverse, as no other position could see two players line-up opposite one another with such different styles and physiques.
Whilst this does happen on the wing, it is never to the same extent as seeing a diminutive, ball-playing twelve come up against a 108kg counterpart (17 stone).
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The centres have also seen quite an evolution over the years, and that is made no clearer than comparing the finalists in each Rugby World Cup, and how they have changed in the space of 32 years.
Since 1987, rugby, on the whole, has encountered a seismic change, with average weights of teams increasing enormously, but while this has happened across the pitch, the role of centres has changed as well, which has beckoned the most alarming transformation.
There’s no clearer way of exhibiting this change than comparing the average weight of the starting centres in 1987 and 2019. The first ever RWC between the All Blacks and France saw Warwick Taylor and Joe Stanley line up for the former, and Denis Charvet Patrice and Philippe Sella start for the latter. The average weight of all four centres was 81.75kg (12st.12lb), New Zealand 81kg (12st.11lb) and France 82.5kg (13st.).
Fast-forward to the recent RWC final between England and South Africa, and the average weight of all four centres was 99.5kg (15st.9lb). Eddie Jones fielded the heaviest centre partnership in RWC history at 102kg (16st.1lb), helped by the 112kg (17st.9lb) Manu Tuilagi, who was unsurprisingly the heaviest centre to start a final. The Springboks’ pair of Damian de Allende and Lukhanyo Am still weighed in at 97kg (15st.4lb) on average.
The stark difference between these two sets of teams is indicative of the change that has occurred in the middle of the field, but that is not an anomaly. The average weight of centres has fluctuated between each RWC when looking over the years, but there has been a clear upwards trajectory. This century, there has not been a centre partnership in a final that has averaged under 95kg (14st.13lb), while there was not one that averaged over 90kg (14st.2lb) last century.
Of course, such a rise correlates with rugby in general, which has seen average weights baloon. For example, dual RWC winner Tim Horan would never have been deemed a small player in his time, but comparatively to this era, he would.
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Small players may have lit up this 2019 World Cup, but size is still the dominant factor in the modern game. pic.twitter.com/bQDUQN46IM
— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) November 11, 2019
What is noticeable is that seven of the nine winners have had the heavier centre pairings. It was only the first and most recent RWCs that bucked this trend, and de Allende and Am certainly are not small. This is something that most coaches are aware of, and it has seen the lithe runners of yester-era such as Philippe Sella and Frank Bunce become ousted by the likes of Ma’a Nonu, Tuilagi and de Allende.
There is still a place for fleet-footed midfielders, but certainly not as much as there once was. It is also understandable when tracking this change why former players like David Campese bemoan the lack of skill in modern rugby compared to his time, and physicality has taken precedence.
This in no way means that this era sees both the twelve and thirteen shirts occupied by monstrous ball carriers, as there is still a place for play-makers. Matt Giteau started in the 2015 final for Australia, who was minute compared to his opposite man that day, Nonu, and Owen Farrell, primarily a flyhalf, started the final in Japan in the same position, although he is certainly more robust than most tens.
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Nonu’s partner in 2011 and 2015, Conrad Smith, was a brilliantly skilful and graceful runner, as was Am this year, which shows that it is not all about brawn (although their stats still dwarf the 1987 centres). As teams have become more powerful and defences stronger, bigger centres are indeed required, but there is equally a demand for those that can unlock tricky defences.
The 2019 RWC saw the tide turn, as the likes of Cheslin Kolbe and Josh Adams lit up the tournament despite being a far cry from names like Jonah Lomu and Julian Savea who have starred before. However, while power and strength in the centres is pivotal to many successful teams today, it is not the be all and end all.
1987- 81.75kg (12.st.12lb) avg. between both teams
New Zealand- 81kg (12.st.11lb) avg.
12 Warwick Taylor 79kg
13 Joe Stanley 83kg
France- 82.5kg (13.st) avg.
12 Denis Charvet Patrice 81kg
13 Philippe Sella 84kg
1991- 89.75kg (14st.2lb)
Australia- 91.5kg (14st.6lb)
12 Tim Horan 90kg
13 Jason Little 93kg
England- 88kg (13st.12lb)
12 Jeremy Guscott 87kg
13 Will Carling 89kg
1995- 84.75kg (13st.5lb)
South Africa- 89kg (14st)
12 Hennie le Roux 80kg
13 Japie Mulder 98kg
NZ- 80.5kg (12st.10lb)
12 Walter Little 76kg
13 Frank Bunce 85kg
1999- 89.5kg (14st.1lb)
Australia- 91.5kg (14st.6lb)
12 Tim Horan 90kg
13 Dan Herbert 93kg
France- 87.5kg (13st.11lb)
12 Émile Ntamack 90kg
13 Richard Dourthe 85kg
2003- 96.75kg (15st.3lb)
Australia- 94.5kg (14st.12lb)
12 Elton Flatley 89kg
13 Stirling Mortlock 100kg
England- 99kg (15st.8lb)
12 Mike Tindall 102kg
13 Will Greenwood 96kg
2007- 95.5kg (15st)
England- 92.5kg (14st.8lb)
12 Mike Catt 91kg
13 Mathew Tait 94kg
South Africa- 98.5kg (15st.7lb)
12 Francois Steyn 101kg
13 Jaque Fourie 96kg
2011- 99.75kg (15st.10lb)
France- 98kg (15st.6lb)
12 Maxime Mermoz 90kg
13 Aurélien Rougerie 106kg
New Zealand- 101.5kg (16st)
12 Ma’a Nonu 108kg
13 Conrad Smith 95kg
2015- 97.25kg (15st.5lb)
New Zealand- 101.5kg (16st)
12 Ma’a Nonu 108kg
13 Conrad Smith 95kg
Australia- 93kg (14st.9lb)
12 Matt Giteau 84kg
13 Tevita Kuridrani 102kg
2019- 99.5kg (15st.9lb)
England- 102kg (16st.1lb)
12 Owen Farrell 92kg
13 Manu Tuilagi 112kg
South Africa- 97kg (15st.4lb)
12 Damian de Allende 101kg
13 Lukhanyo Am 93kg
(all weights are taken from the Rugby World Cup website, except Francois Steyn’s in 2007, which was taken from https://www.timeslive.co.za/ideas/2013-03-28-steyn-talent-that-has-gone-to-waist/)
Comments on RugbyPass
The 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….
65 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!
1 Go to commentsexcellent idea ! rugby needs this 💪
9 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.
9 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.
9 Go to commentsHi, Dave here. Happy to answer questions 🥰
9 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?
9 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?
41 Go to commentsThanks, Nick. We (Seanny Maloney, Brett and I) just discussed Charlie as a potential Wallaby No 8, and wondered if he has truly realised how big he is in contact (and whether he can add 5 kg w/o slowing down). Your scouting report confirms our suspicions he has the materiel. No one knows if he has the mentality (as Johann van Graan said this week about CJ, Duane and Alfie B) to carry 10-15 times a game.
57 Go to commentsHe would be a great player for the Stormers, Dobbo should approach the guy.
3 Go to commentsGood article. A few years back when he was playing for the Cheetahs, he was a quiet standout for exactly the seasons stated here. I occasionally get to see his games in the UK, and he has become a more complete player and in many ways like an Irish player. His work ethic is so suitable to the Leinster game. I wonder if Rassie would have him listed somewhere.
3 Go to commentsResults probably skewed by the fact that a few clubs have foreign fly halves in their 30s, but most teams have young English scrum halves. Results also likely to be skewed by the fact that many teams rely on centres and fullbacks to provide depth at 10, whereas they will need to stock a large number of specialist backup 9s.
2 Go to commentsI really get the sense that when all is said and done, the path of least resistance will end up being a merger of Wasps & Worcester that essentially kills the Worcester Warriors brand and sees Wasps permanently playing at Sixways. I’m not saying that’s what should happen or what I want to happen. I just think it’s the easiest rout to take and therefore, will be what happens. Wasps will definitely return to play first, and I suppose it all depends on if they can find support at Sixways. If people turn up and support Wasps in that community, at that ground, I bet they drop the Sevenoaks plan and just remain at Sixways. Under the radar but not totally unrelated, it looks as though London Irish are going to be brought back from the dead by a German consortium and look set to return, likely to the remade Championship. It’s set to have 12 clubs next season with 14 in 2025/26, what do you want to bet those extra 2 are Wasps and London Irish?
3 Go to commentsThe shoulder is a “joint” with multiple bones. You don’t “fracture” a shoulder, you fracture any one or more of the bones that make up a shoulder.
2 Go to commentsOh dear, bones too suspect to continue?
2 Go to comments