Rugby Explained: Part 2 (a point) The Forwards
February 7th 2007 13:02
Yes. There are other Rugby Union players.
Hard to believe I know.
I may have given the impression that Stephen Larkham was the be all and end all and overall point of my rugby obsession...well, you're wrong.
A suggestion. Please read this before reading this...
This is Part 2.
The role of Rugby Union players has been described in this very simplistic manner;
"The forwards are there to get the ball back, and the backs are there to get the ball forward".
In other words the Backs exist to serve the forwards and the Forwards are there to give the backs a serve.
Except Stephen Larkham.
Everyone is there to serve him (...on a silver platter...Larkyum...).
Please note that for this post I am going to fairly serious because the Forwards...well, they're the Titans of Rugby and thou shalt not piss a Forward off nor say a word aganist them, especially not to me because not only am I married to an ex Forward, when I grow up, I want to be one.
A rugby union team consists of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered 1 to 8 (well duh...) and seven backs, numbered 9 to 15.
The team usually has 7 reserves on the bench and a player can be substituted only once and why they bother replacing Larkham is beyond me...there is no substitute for the real thing.
There is an exception to the substituted only once rule and that’s if a front rower is injured, which is very rare but it has happened.
Hell did freeze over that day.
Seriously though, if the hooker is injured, we’ve got problems (and not in a carnal way) because the hooker ‘hooks’ the ball in the scrum and is the player responsible for the line-out throw in.
This is not as easy as it looks folks.
We’re not talking basketball here.
If the Props are injured...well, that’s never going to happen...they only have to leave the field now because of a little blood speck, usually the result of a severely cracked nose or cheekbone, which has probably connected to someone’s thigh bone...la la...
The Forwards:
The main role of the Forwards is to gain and retain possession of the ball. They take part in scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls - essentially everything that is meaningful in the game.
As a rule, Forwards are larger than the backs, which generally makes them stronger but slower...but never on the uptake.
You may have read or heard the term 'the Tight Five'?
This refers to the front and second rows and not to a handshake.
The Front Row - 1, 2, 3
# 1 - Loosehead prop
so called because they pack down on the left-hand side where their head is outside that of the opposing tighthead prop
# 2 - Hooker
uses their feet to 'hook' the ball in the scrum and they also normally throw the ball in at line-outs and no, they don't put out for money.
# 3 - Tighthead prop
So called because they pack down on the right-hand side of the scrum and their head fits between the opposing loosehead prop and hooker and not because of crass and banal reasons.
(David...back off the front row darlin'...)
The Front Row is generally considered the most virile and handsome of the lot. Broken noses, crushed cheekbones and all.
Second Row - 4, 5
#4 - # 5 The Locks
The second row is the engine room where the power flows.
The two locks stick their heads between the two props and the hooker in the scrums. They are also responsible for keeping the scrum square and the front row together (the locks) and providing power to shift it forward. (the engine room.)
The lock forwards are very tall, with plenty of leverage strength in the legs for running with the ball, pushing the maul and jumping but because they have brains, they're not basketballers.
The second row is much appreciated by the front row for their power in the scrummage but they are generally not as good looking as the front row.
The Loose Forwards - 6, 7, 8
# 6 - Blindside flanker
# 7 - Openside flanker
# 8 - um...# 8
The loose forwards include the #8 and the flankers. The loose forwards are respected by the front row for their mobility, fitness, defense and support work, commonly known as the 'mungrel' factor.
The 'loosey' must have tremendous fitness and ball fetching instincts which are not completely understood or trusted by the props and hooker, who are perfectly content to scrummage all day for the ball.
Right. I'm outta here...will be back with the Backs...will try not to make it all about Stephen larkham but ya cannae convert this lass from herr swoony ways...
Hard to believe I know.
I may have given the impression that Stephen Larkham was the be all and end all and overall point of my rugby obsession...well, you're wrong.
A suggestion. Please read this before reading this...
This is Part 2.
The role of Rugby Union players has been described in this very simplistic manner;
"The forwards are there to get the ball back, and the backs are there to get the ball forward".
In other words the Backs exist to serve the forwards and the Forwards are there to give the backs a serve.
Everyone is there to serve him (...on a silver platter...Larkyum...).
Please note that for this post I am going to fairly serious because the Forwards...well, they're the Titans of Rugby and thou shalt not piss a Forward off nor say a word aganist them, especially not to me because not only am I married to an ex Forward, when I grow up, I want to be one.
A rugby union team consists of 15 players: eight forwards, numbered 1 to 8 (well duh...) and seven backs, numbered 9 to 15.
The team usually has 7 reserves on the bench and a player can be substituted only once and why they bother replacing Larkham is beyond me...there is no substitute for the real thing.
There is an exception to the substituted only once rule and that’s if a front rower is injured, which is very rare but it has happened.
Hell did freeze over that day.
Seriously though, if the hooker is injured, we’ve got problems (and not in a carnal way) because the hooker ‘hooks’ the ball in the scrum and is the player responsible for the line-out throw in.
We’re not talking basketball here.
If the Props are injured...well, that’s never going to happen...they only have to leave the field now because of a little blood speck, usually the result of a severely cracked nose or cheekbone, which has probably connected to someone’s thigh bone...la la...
The Forwards:
The main role of the Forwards is to gain and retain possession of the ball. They take part in scrums, lineouts, rucks, and mauls - essentially everything that is meaningful in the game.
As a rule, Forwards are larger than the backs, which generally makes them stronger but slower...but never on the uptake.
You may have read or heard the term 'the Tight Five'?
This refers to the front and second rows and not to a handshake.
The Front Row - 1, 2, 3
# 1 - Loosehead prop
so called because they pack down on the left-hand side where their head is outside that of the opposing tighthead prop
# 2 - Hooker
uses their feet to 'hook' the ball in the scrum and they also normally throw the ball in at line-outs and no, they don't put out for money.
# 3 - Tighthead prop
So called because they pack down on the right-hand side of the scrum and their head fits between the opposing loosehead prop and hooker and not because of crass and banal reasons.
(David...back off the front row darlin'...)
The Front Row is generally considered the most virile and handsome of the lot. Broken noses, crushed cheekbones and all.
Second Row - 4, 5
#4 - # 5 The Locks
The second row is the engine room where the power flows.
The two locks stick their heads between the two props and the hooker in the scrums. They are also responsible for keeping the scrum square and the front row together (the locks) and providing power to shift it forward. (the engine room.)
The lock forwards are very tall, with plenty of leverage strength in the legs for running with the ball, pushing the maul and jumping but because they have brains, they're not basketballers.
The second row is much appreciated by the front row for their power in the scrummage but they are generally not as good looking as the front row.
The Loose Forwards - 6, 7, 8
# 6 - Blindside flanker
# 7 - Openside flanker
# 8 - um...# 8
The loose forwards include the #8 and the flankers. The loose forwards are respected by the front row for their mobility, fitness, defense and support work, commonly known as the 'mungrel' factor.
The 'loosey' must have tremendous fitness and ball fetching instincts which are not completely understood or trusted by the props and hooker, who are perfectly content to scrummage all day for the ball.
Right. I'm outta here...will be back with the Backs...will try not to make it all about Stephen larkham but ya cannae convert this lass from herr swoony ways...
| 73 |
| Vote |
Add To: 
Subscribe to this blog
Comment by Ash
Australian Traveller
Flashes of memories
What is there in Rugby (besides Larkham?) Well I am beginning to see the art, the comedy, the rippling muscles, the sweaty bod....the..um.. orchestral harmony in your explanations.
Ruck and Roll babeeee
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
Fitzpatrick.
will anyone ever?
He was a melancholy forward.
Is there a universal code amongst forwards?
They all reeeshpect one another and don't step on each others heads or pass up an opportunity to break a forwards nose, seemingly.
Loose and backward.
Norm
Comment by Norm
Consumption Malfunction
Equal and Opposite
Arses and Elbows
Footy Power
A lowe act.
Comment by Mrs M
Mum's Word
I prefer melee or fracas. Broo ha ha.
Love & stuff
Mrs M
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Ahhh...does that make me the (disorderly) Conductor?
And no...Forwards eat backs and backs want to be Forwards.
Ash honey...be well..
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
The days of Sean Fitzpatrick...those were the days the All Blacks were All That...now...hmph...they're just a bunch of fleet footed w(h)ingers....
And yes there is a Universal Code amongst Forwards;
Thou Shalt Hurt, Maim, Injure and Insult Thy Opposing Forward As Much As Possible...But Thou Shalt Not Take It Off The Field because the bastard's hosting the BBQ tonight....with baby Back ribs...
That's what I love about Rugby...I have seen opposing players ruck the scrum out of each other on field but as soon as fulltime whistle blows...they're shaking hands and laughing and giving each other shit, etc.
Tis luverly...as are you ParaNORMal...
Dusk
Comment by DuskDevi
Rucks and Rolls
Rugby World Cup 2007
Hmm...'a rolling melee'...'a fracas has been formed'...
And that's just in the crowd!
Yes 'maul' is an actual rugby term...a maul is formed when a player carrying the ball is held by one or more opponents...and one or more of the ball carrier's team mates bind on the ball carrier to protect the ball and keep it on the ball carrier's side.
Contrary to popular belief, a maul is not formed when a bunch of teenage girls start hanging around outside and shopping for clothes...
Boomeranging your love and stuff...
Dusk