Rugby, the original version

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The Mussile Jan 2022 5:42pm, 10 Jan 2022 810 posts	0 The Mussile I think Sean Fitzpatrick would be an exception there TM. He was a pretty good captain. There are a few who have been and there will always be exceptions (also Wood and Best for Ireland). My view is just that front rowers generally don't get the big match picture as they are nose down for the majority of the game.
B Rubble Jan 2022 6:08pm, 10 Jan 2022 2,960 posts	0 B Rubble ..and John Smit, David Sole... However I agree TM. Props and hookers should be grafting in the dark arts of the front row, which rarely gives them time to see the game as a leader. Keith Wood was unusual as his leadership ability was better than his technical abilities as a hooker, he was however a great runner and played a bit like an extra centre.
TROSaracen Jan 2022 6:12pm, 10 Jan 2022 24,680 posts	0 TROSaracen I’d say that’s a fraction outdated. The days when front rows wheezed from scrum to scrum while a game of rugby was played by the other 12 are long gone. Front rows these days are expected to carry, handle, hit rucks, lift lineouts and thus they should have as much of a handle on the unfolding game as second or back row.
B Rubble Jan 2022 6:27pm, 10 Jan 2022 2,961 posts	0 B Rubble There are still a few left that are like that TRO, but fair enough I wouldn't put Genge in that category. He's quite fast when he gets going.
TROSaracen Jan 2022 6:32pm, 10 Jan 2022 24,681 posts	0 TROSaracen In truth some players have ‘it’, that undefinable ‘leadership’ quality, officer material the army would say. The one the others follow, look to for answers. That player, if you can identify him, is your captain regardless of position.
Fields Jan 2022 8:58pm, 10 Jan 2022 1,837 posts	0 Fields Agree with TRO, a front row player spends much of the game close to the egg - and in in the key ball acquiring phases (tackle, ruck, breakdown & lineout too. And when the ponces in the outside backs do start running with the ball they usually have a good view of what’s happening from approx 20m behind
flanker Jan 2022 1:35am, 11 Jan 2022 20,261 posts	0 flanker I'm not sure (actually, I am) it's Genge's technical skill or limited view of the game that makes him unsuitable to be skipper. It's more the fact that he's a schoolyard bully, who gets aggressive when he's not having it his own way, and generally behaves like a total knob. And while I'm singing his praises, he also lacks the nous to get the ref on his side and makes shortsighted decisions. For examples see the last game where he was possibly lucky only to get a yellow (but still may be cited) and in the dying minutes kept on the taking he scrum for a pen with the high risks of it going wrong, rather than taking the kick to tie the scores, or going for the corner and driving lineout for the win.
ThorntonRunner Jan 2022 7:22am, 11 Jan 2022 5,627 posts	0 ThorntonRunner I suspect he was given the captaincy to - try to keep him at tigers - see if the responsibility calmed him down. Failed on both counts
TROSaracen Jan 2022 7:41am, 11 Jan 2022 24,683 posts	0 TROSaracen Wasn’t one Martin Johnson once considered too wild, aggressive and ill disciplined to ever make a skipper?
B Rubble Jan 2022 8:21am, 11 Jan 2022 2,962 posts	0 B Rubble Genge is still young and has a chance to become a much better player/leader. Unless he changes he will be a liability and coaches will get fed up with him.