Photo by Jorina Raath/Speedshots.co.za
Bart Schoeman and I analysed most of the available footage of 1stXV games (2020) during the "lockdown" weeks and attempted to identify our top players in each position.
The Top fullbacks we identified were: 1. Quewin Nortje (Affies), 2. Matthew Jacobs (Paarl Gim), Sonwabo Sekoyi (grey College), 4. Boeta Moolman (Boland Landbou), 5. Bladen Hector (Outeniqua).
The following boys also caught our attention: Geno Kemp (Milnerton), Jason Edwards (EG Jansen), Stephan Spies (Garsfontein).
Please keep in mind that we could only evaluate players of which we had footage available and our selections were based on the performance on that day. Furthermore, we do not claim that we know all and if you disagree you are welcome to contact me (carl@ruggas.co.za) or Bart (bart@sportscon365.com). If you feel that we missed a player please send details of where we can find the videos and/or links of videos. Coaches and parents are more than welcome to discuss the players and evaluation with the match analysis.
Listen to the discussion regarding the fullback at 46:45 in the above RuggasTV episode
Bart Schoeman and I analysed most of the available footage of 1stXV games (2020) during the "lockdown" weeks and attempted to identify our top players in each position.
The Top fullbacks we identified were: 1. Quewin Nortje (Affies), 2. Matthew Jacobs (Paarl Gim), Sonwabo Sekoyi (grey College), 4. Boeta Moolman (Boland Landbou), 5. Bladen Hector (Outeniqua).
The following boys also caught our attention: Geno Kemp (Milnerton), Jason Edwards (EG Jansen), Stephan Spies (Garsfontein).
Please keep in mind that we could only evaluate players of which we had footage available and our selections were based on the performance on that day. Furthermore, we do not claim that we know all and if you disagree you are welcome to contact me (carl@ruggas.co.za) or Bart (bart@sportscon365.com). If you feel that we missed a player please send details of where we can find the videos and/or links of videos. Coaches and parents are more than welcome to discuss the players and evaluation with the match analysis.
Listen to the discussion regarding the right-wing (#11) at 45:45 in the above RuggasTV episode.
Please keep in mind that any technical and positional evaluation of a player must be reinforced by the following aspects for a player to grow in future and especially after school:
1) Strength of character. Any successful sportsman will need to apply himself in honesty, teamwork and full support of the system that he works under.
2) Work ethic and personal application to improve himself, in sport and off the field. He must be ‘coachable’
3) Lifestyle and value-driven. Being a sportsman full time, semi- or full professional, requires a dedicated lifestyle change to reach set goals and to become a better human being.
Full back - Full-backs usually position themselves several metres behind the backline. They field any deep opposition kicks and are often the last line of defence should an opponent break through the backline. On attack, they can enter the backline, usually near the centres or wings, with the aim of providing an extra person and overlapping the defending players. Three of the most important attributes of a good full-back are good catching ability under a high kick, the ability to punt the ball a long distance with accuracy, and the speed and skill to join in backline attacking moves, especially counter-attacks.
Position-specific requirements:
General
1) A full-back will rarely run more than 40m at once. This means that top-end speed is secondary to acceleration but he must hit the line with pace and offer a threat on attack.
2) The position of the full-back on the field gives them the ideal opportunity to launch counter-attacks or to join his backline injecting speed and direction to the movement.
3) He will have to function as strike runner with pace and timing into the line or as a support runner.
4) He must be able to deal effectively with kicks from the opposition.
5) Communication is a vital skill as the full-back must organize the defence and attack of the back three in a full functioning unit.
Kicking
1) He must be able to kick with both feet.
2) When kicking as a fullback, he will be under pressure. This will require him to get creative at times.
3) Many different kicks need to be part of his arsenal: The spiral; grubber and banana kicks are all beneficial to his overall game.
Defence
1) Defence, defence and defence. The luxury of space at fullback means that he will immediately be exposed if his defence is poor.
2) Most tackles he will make will be one on one. The attacking player will have space on either side of him and will happily “break his ankles” if he is not careful. The days of rugby fullbacks getting away with sloppy defence are over as there is nowhere to hide on the field.
Attack
1) Effective strike runner with pace and timing into the line or as a support/decoy runner
2) Key attacking player from the set and broken play must be confident and adventurous.
3) Positional awareness - good understanding from all field positions - work in tandem with wings on attack and defence.
4) Timing into the backline with power and speed - able to step off either foot at pace.
5) Run into the backline with timing and good lines to create space for wings and others.
6) Understand and execute continually, the requirements of counter-attack.
Key Positional Attributes
Technical
1) Read the game. One of the biggest challenges’ fullbacks face is positioning. It can be hard to decide when to move up into the backline and when to hang back, as cover.
2) He must be able to effectively deal with an opponent’s kick.
3) He must time the pass accurately to the receiver.
4) He must be able to kick off either foot with accuracy and length, both as an attacking option and to relieve pressure.
5) Goal kicking and restarts a plus.
Decision-Making
1) he must maximize his own team’s attacking threat & minimizes the opponent’s attacking threat.
2) He must be able to make effective decisions under pressure.
3) He must have positional & game awareness.
4) He must use a panoramic vision of the game, especially from phase ball. Anticipation is vital.
5) He must understand and demonstrate their role/s throughout the game.
6) He must be able to improvise & adapt to the changing situation.
7) He must have the ability to read the game and cover defensive options.
Games watched: Milnerton vs Melkbosstrand, Brackenfell vs Durbanville, Bellville vs Stellenberg, SACS vs Boland Landbou, Wynberg vs Paul Roos, Rondebosch vs Paarl Boishaai, Paarl Gim vs Bishops, Affies vs Helpmekaar, Dale vs Muir, Hudsonpark vs Nico Malan, Queen's vs Pearson, Grey HS vs Brandwag, Kingswood vs Selborne, St Andrew's vs Framesby, Graeme vs Marlow, Gonubie vs Mzzomhle, Chief Boklein vs Aplandale, Queen's vs Stirling, Grens vs Toise, Cambridge vs de Vos Malan, Dale vs Port Rex, Selborne vs Hudson Park, Menlopark vs Ben Vorster. Boishaai vs Monnas, Affies vs Diamantveld, Dale College vs Muir College, Grey College vs Welkom Gim, St Alban's vs Kroonstad AHS, EG Jansen vs Invitation XV, Garsfontein vs Kempton Park, Frikkie Meyer vs Stellenberg, Montana vs Die Anker, Waterkloof vs Outeniqua, Boland Landbou vs Middelburg HTS, Pretoria Boys High vs Paarl Gimnasium.
Next week we will include another 18 games of which we received footage of.
