The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
+10
geoff999rugby
doctor_grey
Poorfour
lostinwales
chris_501
Oakdene
Hazel Sapling
Old Man
RiscaGame
Sgt_Pooly
14 posters
The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Rugby Union :: International
Page 1 of 1
Who gets your vote as the best loose head?
The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
I seem to recall a good poster called Pete defining his best players in the world in each position at the end of every year and I thought I'd try and bring it back somewhat.
So, a little caveat....I've not watched as much rugby as I would have liked this year so I may be a bit off in some of my suggestions....I'm sure we can have a nice sensible discussion though, as we always do! I also may a have a slight English bias, go easy on me Welshies.
The criteria:
I'm selecting world class players......when I say world class, you have to be in the top 3 in your position. I'll possibly look to do 5 for locks/wingers due to different styles and sides.
#1 - Loose Head Prop
Prop has been a bit short of quality operators for a few years but we seem to be getting some genuine quality operators coming through again. Firstly, I like my front row to do the basics well. The props have got to be able to scrum and everything after that is a bonus. Here are my top 3:
Steven Kitshoff
Yes, I know he's ginger and he has no soul.....but this guy is the real deal. I first spotted him as a 19/20yo playing Currie Cup rugby I think and then shortly after Super Rugby for the Stormers. It's quite odd to see a young prop being so solid in the set piece but he gave a lot of older tight heads some real issues even at that age. These last few years, he's arguably become the premier scrummaging loosie in the game. Mix that in with some strong carrying and dominant physicality, you've got the perfect prop for me.....just such a shame he's ginger.
Joe Marler
I can see this one annoying a few, but he's such a class act. It's a shame he wasn't considered for the Lions as I think him and Furlong up front may have been able to hold off the SA's somewhat. Anyway....yes, he's very much an odd ball and his constant dipping in and out of international rugby is quite annoying...but, he's quality. A real force in the scrum, he's also added a outstanding defensive side to his game which is up there with the very best.
Ox Nché
The first time this guy registered with me was when he did a 70m break in a Super rugby game, out gassing backs in the process. Fast forward a few years and he's a key part of a formidable SA scrummaging unit. Able to mix it in the loose as well as the tight, he's only going to better in the coming years at the tender age of 26.
Notable mentions.......Wyn Jones, Andrew Porter, Cyril Baille, Joe Moody.
So, a little caveat....I've not watched as much rugby as I would have liked this year so I may be a bit off in some of my suggestions....I'm sure we can have a nice sensible discussion though, as we always do! I also may a have a slight English bias, go easy on me Welshies.
The criteria:
I'm selecting world class players......when I say world class, you have to be in the top 3 in your position. I'll possibly look to do 5 for locks/wingers due to different styles and sides.
#1 - Loose Head Prop
Prop has been a bit short of quality operators for a few years but we seem to be getting some genuine quality operators coming through again. Firstly, I like my front row to do the basics well. The props have got to be able to scrum and everything after that is a bonus. Here are my top 3:
Steven Kitshoff
Yes, I know he's ginger and he has no soul.....but this guy is the real deal. I first spotted him as a 19/20yo playing Currie Cup rugby I think and then shortly after Super Rugby for the Stormers. It's quite odd to see a young prop being so solid in the set piece but he gave a lot of older tight heads some real issues even at that age. These last few years, he's arguably become the premier scrummaging loosie in the game. Mix that in with some strong carrying and dominant physicality, you've got the perfect prop for me.....just such a shame he's ginger.
Joe Marler
I can see this one annoying a few, but he's such a class act. It's a shame he wasn't considered for the Lions as I think him and Furlong up front may have been able to hold off the SA's somewhat. Anyway....yes, he's very much an odd ball and his constant dipping in and out of international rugby is quite annoying...but, he's quality. A real force in the scrum, he's also added a outstanding defensive side to his game which is up there with the very best.
Ox Nché
The first time this guy registered with me was when he did a 70m break in a Super rugby game, out gassing backs in the process. Fast forward a few years and he's a key part of a formidable SA scrummaging unit. Able to mix it in the loose as well as the tight, he's only going to better in the coming years at the tender age of 26.
Notable mentions.......Wyn Jones, Andrew Porter, Cyril Baille, Joe Moody.
Last edited by Sgt_Pooly on Wed 08 Dec 2021, 5:55 pm; edited 1 time in total
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Not one Welsh player. Stone him
RiscaGame- Moderator
- Posts : 5975
Join date : 2016-01-24
Sgt_Pooly likes this post
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Ox Nche has really impressed me this year, finding a replacement for Beast was something that was going to be a real challenge for Nienaber.
Ox has developed a hell of a lot this year and his scrummaging has surprised me. Always knew in general play he was class.
Ox has developed a hell of a lot this year and his scrummaging has surprised me. Always knew in general play he was class.
Old Man- Posts : 3200
Join date : 2019-08-27
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Happy enough with those choices. No LH seems to be dominant at the minute and Marler/Kitshoff have been very good for a good while.
Nche is probably more in the chasing pack and to me is more of a preference. Would maybe push Baille ahead of him as SA locks are so much better than anyone else at the minute (and are giants in the scrum) and SA has two excellent TH's to work with that takes away some of the pressure. Wyn Jones may have a similar argument. Bell and Sutherland are also there or thereabouts in the layer of good not great LH's.
Porter is arguably the best overall prop considering I view him as a TH!
Nche is probably more in the chasing pack and to me is more of a preference. Would maybe push Baille ahead of him as SA locks are so much better than anyone else at the minute (and are giants in the scrum) and SA has two excellent TH's to work with that takes away some of the pressure. Wyn Jones may have a similar argument. Bell and Sutherland are also there or thereabouts in the layer of good not great LH's.
Porter is arguably the best overall prop considering I view him as a TH!
Hazel Sapling- Posts : 2690
Join date : 2015-05-26
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Wyn Jones has really taken a nosedive since the last 6N. Injury during the Lions tour hasn’t helped.
Guest- Guest
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
You say he has nose dived but he has had next to little rugby, he couldn't play for the Scarlets before the AI's then when he did play he was told he wasn't match fit!!
Oakdene- Posts : 1170
Join date : 2012-06-14
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Are you saying he's one of the top 3 looseheads in the world?! (i.e. the topic of the thread). He's not, for me. But when he was on form he was very good.
Guest- Guest
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
The Oracle wrote:Are you saying he's one of the top 3 looseheads in the world?! (i.e. the topic of the thread). He's not, for me. But when he was on form he was very good.
I think in the calendar year of 2021 he's right up there for discussion. I was trying to think who plays at loosehead fro the French, Baille is a good, but not great player. I agree with the two South African props, but I'd have Genge ahead of Marler personally.
chris_501- Posts : 644
Join date : 2011-07-13
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
He's certainly in the discussion. I only really see him in international rugby so it's difficult to put him ahead of any of the selected 3. I could similar arguments for Marler tbh.
Sgt_Pooly- Posts : 36294
Join date : 2011-04-27
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
chris_501 wrote:The Oracle wrote:Are you saying he's one of the top 3 looseheads in the world?! (i.e. the topic of the thread). He's not, for me. But when he was on form he was very good.
I think in the calendar year of 2021 he's right up there for discussion. I was trying to think who plays at loosehead fro the French, Baille is a good, but not great player. I agree with the two South African props, but I'd have Genge ahead of Marler personally.
It feels like Genge has finally turned a corner at international level but he hasn't put a run of games together yet (and the things that really seem to be making a difference, in particular the leadership, are difficult to objectively measure). This time next year he could well be on the list.
Last edited by lostinwales on Wed 08 Dec 2021, 2:17 pm; edited 1 time in total
lostinwales- lostinwales
- Posts : 13369
Join date : 2011-06-09
Location : Out of Wales :)
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
The Oracle wrote:Are you saying he's one of the top 3 looseheads in the world?! (i.e. the topic of the thread). He's not, for me. But when he was on form he was very good.
I think he is up there yes.
Oakdene- Posts : 1170
Join date : 2012-06-14
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
That combination was my immediate thought as I saw the thread title.
Genge looks like he's getting there, but Boks should be on anyone's list and Marler (at least when he's not just had COVID) is the first name I would trust to mix it with them.
Genge looks like he's getting there, but Boks should be on anyone's list and Marler (at least when he's not just had COVID) is the first name I would trust to mix it with them.
Poorfour- Posts : 6439
Join date : 2011-10-01
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Haven’t read an article, just saw a tweet. Hasn’t Wyn Jones just been named in World Rugby’s 15s Dream Team of the Year?
Shows how he got part Pivac’d and part possibly burnt out in the autumn.
Shows how he got part Pivac’d and part possibly burnt out in the autumn.
RiscaGame- Moderator
- Posts : 5975
Join date : 2016-01-24
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
I certainly rate him (Wyn Jones) when on form and was championing him for inclusion in the recent Lions tour. So when fit and firing he’s up there for me from a B&I nations perspective. I felt his inclusion on the Lions tour was on merit for his performances in the 6N that preceded the tour. But on a world level I just think there are enough better Looseheads that he doesn’t get a look in in the top 5 or so.
What Wales would do for a couple of Tadhg Furlongs and Andrew Porters (and of course Kitshoffs and Ox Nches!). We just don’t seem to breed massive gnarly powerful props
What Wales would do for a couple of Tadhg Furlongs and Andrew Porters (and of course Kitshoffs and Ox Nches!). We just don’t seem to breed massive gnarly powerful props
Guest- Guest
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
I agree with the list as well. Kitshoff and Marler, for me are easy picks. And then if we need one more, we can never go wrong selecting a Prop named Ox.
doctor_grey- Posts : 12383
Join date : 2011-04-30
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Between Kitshoff and Marler for me
geoff999rugby- Posts : 5937
Join date : 2012-01-19
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
I went for Ox really based on the AI's, I thought he was a brilliantly dominant prop at scrum time and probably one of the most destructive forwards on the park in SA's games.
yappysnap- Posts : 11993
Join date : 2011-06-01
Age : 36
Location : Christchurch, NZ
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Not sure how Wyn Jones made the world rugby team of the year, that should have been Kitshoff. There are other French, Kiwi and SA props who are better, Wyn isn’t even the best LH in Wales this season. Joe Marler wouldn’t be in the top 5 either.
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15649
Join date : 2015-07-25
Age : 35
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
Marler for me. Thought for a good time now he's head and shoulders the best loosehead England have. Is there a better defensive prop around? Great in the tight too, scrummaging and lifting great. My vote is taking into account his club form which is perhaps unfair as I haven't seen those games for most of the others but without him Harlequins are no where near the title.
No 7&1/2- Posts : 31383
Join date : 2012-10-20
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
mikey_dragon wrote:Not sure how Wyn Jones made the world rugby team of the year, that should have been Kitshoff. There are other French, Kiwi and SA props who are better, Wyn isn’t even the best LH in Wales this season. Joe Marler wouldn’t be in the top 5 either.
When Marler is on form he's definitely amongst the five best looseheads in the world. Who would you have instead?
Soul Requiem- Posts : 6566
Join date : 2019-07-16
Re: The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #1 Loose head Prop
I'd have to say behind Kitshoff, in no particular order there's Cyril Baille, Joe Moody, Ox Nche... that's only four. I guess then you could argue the case for Joe Marler, or Karl Tu'inukuafe, Andrew Porter, Wyn Jones, Rory Sutherland, etc.
mikey_dragon- Posts : 15649
Join date : 2015-07-25
Age : 35
Similar topics
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #3 Tight-Head Prop
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #6 Blindside Flanker
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #7 Openside Flanker
» World Class Players - Top three in the world in each position (end of year debate)
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #9 Scrum Half
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #6 Blindside Flanker
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #7 Openside Flanker
» World Class Players - Top three in the world in each position (end of year debate)
» The best 3 players in the world by position: The World Class 45 - #9 Scrum Half
The v2 Forum :: Sport :: Rugby Union :: International
Page 1 of 1
Permissions in this forum:
You cannot reply to topics in this forum