What ever happened to Wingers being able to Tackle ?

Rugby is a tough physical sport for a reason.

Before I start, let me clarify that not ALL wingers are bad tacklers, Hosea Gear and Julian Savea are fantastic tacklers and have great ability in the skill, however some of their counterparts are a disgrace to their roll.

           I don't mean to hurt anybody's feelings, but the sad truth is that wingers, in general, are shit at tackling. In the way that the sport is played, tackling is one of the most iconic parts of our game and adds great entertainment and fun. Many players take pride in their efforts and attempts in making a "good hit" but this seems to completely go out the window for wingers. Merely chasing or running after the ball carrier is acceptable apparently, because no attempt in contact is made ? You might be thinking, "what ? This never happens". Next time you see an overlapping try, have a look at the wingers attempt. 9/10 they will fail to even make an effort, just chasing after the ball instead. The only time a winger will tackle is if somebody will run right into them, and in this case this will only lead to disaster. Not very often do you see a winger successfully pull off a good tackle. If they 

do get anywhere near contact they almost try to grab the player with their hands instead of using their shoulders. Fullbacks are put at last men for the very reason that they are consistent and reliable at tackling. Maybe they could teach wingers a thing or two at training perhaps ?

             I'm not saying that wingers couldn't ever tackle but more they can't now by the looks of it. A few years ago some of the most physical players were wingers,  Jonah Lomu, Brian Lima and Caucaunibuca to name a few and often put forwards on their backs from the impact. Lets just hope somebody does something to change this back to the way it used to be.

Profile and Background

Manu Samoa Tuilagi profile.

Manu Tuilagi more commonly known, is quite honestly one of the best players to the new style of game. He has been in the public eye a number of times for good and for bad. Renowned for his head knocking right dig to Chris Ashton. In my eyes, he is a young version of Jonah Lomu. He has the physique of that of a prop, the speed of a back, immense amount of strength and the way he carries himself, weaving past weak arms is the same of a winger, and pounces in and out of contact is a phenomenon. He is quite a specimen, weighing at 110 kilos (Thats the same as Cian Healy) and standing at only 6 foot. He still remains only 21. This is one of his incredible feats, as he is considerably young for the starting 15 of an international squad.

He has although got plenty more to come, in terms of play and drama.

                           Tuilagi was born in Samoa. He lived there until he moved to England, on that of a tourist's visa, to 5 of his brothers which played with Leicester Tigers at the time. He was only 12 when he moved. He spoke little English, only of which was learnt in school. His first match was for Hinckley Rugby Club, playing for the under 14's. He says he was smaller and somewhat fatter than the other boys, and his first impression was that he couldn't believe that everybody else was the same age as him. In 2009 he was in risk of deportation, the visa had ran out. His first reaction was that he didn't exactly care, although when his ambitions in rugby came into play, he only became concerned then. Obviously he wasn't deported in the end.
                           He quickly made an impact to the international spotlight in his performance against New Zealand, being one of many to come. He in the match played outstandingly when he needed to, in the 53rd minute he gave an assist on the 5 meter line. 4 minutes later, he broke the midfield channel line, shaking off 3 attempted tackles to which was another assist, funnily enough to Chris Ashton. This was the point of no return, England were ahead by 2 tries with less than 20 minutes left of play. If that wasn't bad enough, he got an intercept, his acceleration shocked me as he beat any contenders. To add salt to a wound, he jogged the last couple of meters, and tapped to ball down. To not only beat them but to do it in this fashion will not be done again, I can assure you. He really is an enjoyment to watch and a player to look out for.

Rugbys changing

Rugby World Cup theory.

Rugby changes slowly, but sometimes without us realising. This is because I think, we don't see this seasons standard as higher than the last, but more playing better and keeping up with our competitors. Whats happening is the game is evolving slowly but surely. What I did was, I watched 4 matches from 4 different world cups. I chose them because, we wouldn't notice any difference from one year to the next, however the differences are a lot more apparent and visible over a 4 year time frame. Also these matches would be the highest international standard of that year...

               In 2003 in the England and Australia match, what I noticed was that there was a very fast tempo in the backline. Not as many rucks were being attacked from a defensive perspective (meaning very little counter rucking). Kicking wasn't only used to relieve pressure, but to apply it more often than not. Scrums were more sloppy and not as competitive. Set pieces were a lot more off cue and possession wasn't seen as precious as it is now. I'm not saying that the players weren't competitive, but they didn't seize the opportunities as that they could have contested. The forwards were not as concerned about winning the ball against the head in set pieces but more as the chore of the backline or error of the opposition.

                In 2011, in the the World cup semi final of New Zealand and France. What struck me were the forwards from the breakdown in defence, situated themselves as tight as they could. As the backs, were predominantly in the 2nd and wing channels. The whole teams defencive line speed was exceptional, not rushing up t the opposition, but more keeping it organised and strong. What appeared to be the game plan, was to have the forwards draw and concentrate the defence, then to exploit the wing. Having a tight rugby league style of play, then an American football exploitation of the wing, but of course with having the 10 dictate the timing and placement. With a rather play maker of a 10 dictation, which is a very technical and rather the out halves trying to read each others next move or plan.

                 In 1999, New Zealand again were playing France in a semi final. What actually stunned me was the overall standard of skills, has improved dramatically to how we are expected to play now. Having a winger charge through a number of tackles on more than one occasion would not happen in today's game therefore having tackling not as much as . (I will though give them some sympathy as this winger was Jonah Lomu) During the match there were 2 drop goals. To me this says that, the players didn't value possession and attacking opportunities as much as we do now, but rather were more reckless in their decision making ability.



Overall, we have evolved a lot from the careless, sloppy and unpredictable game that it was. We still have a long way to go, but that said it's developing at a fast rate. Rules that are being added and altered, are effectively trying to change the game into more of a free flowing game that it should be. The players themselves have gone from heavy, strong men to lean, productive rugby players suited to their positions roll.

Where are they now ?

Where are they now, Jonah Lomu.

Former rugby players from years ago have either gradually faded from the public limelight, or have tried hanging in there for the moneys worth, and in the rare case, their own enjoyment.

Jonah Lomu, he is the Pele of rugby. But what has ever happened to him ?

When he retired in 2007 because of injury, he was left idle. However a year later he was persuaded to participate in a charity match in Twickenham. He played this match, but rumors quickly circulated that he was to sign for a 3rd division french club,"Marseilles Vitrolles". These were of course untrue.

                           In 2009, He took part in an amateurs bodybuilding competition in Wellington. He finished second in 2 categories, men's over 90 kilos, and mixed pairs. This was I think, in effort to return to rugby. He then actually signed for Marseilles Vitrolles in the end. Starting at center, he then moved to number 8.

                           Later in 2011 he planned to take part in the charity boxing event, "Fight for life". He was scheduled to fight ex rugby league player Monty Betham. This wasn't, as has he was hospitalized due to his kidney failure, this is caused by his kidney disease nephrotic syndrome . He was on dialysis, and was then waiting for a second kidney transplant. He had the fight rescheduled to the 3rd of December however, he had to withdraw. Lomu was kept on dialysis for 7 hours a day, 3 nights a week. He tries spending as much time with his family as possible. There were times when there was rumors of a donor, but this wasn't. He is still fighting the rejection of the transplant in 2004, and currently waiting for a donor.