Season in review: best player by position

[Big Ewis]

Rugbyrama, as every year, is going through every position one by one and making its visitors vote for the best in the Top 14 championship.

LOOSEHEAD
Starting with position 1, Loosehead prop, they voted for the following Top 3: Van de Merwe (Paris), Chiocci (RCT), Domingo (Clermont). They've got J.B. Poux (Bordeaux) and Y.Forestier (Castres) that complete the Top 5.
Then mentions are made to Menini (RCT), Nariashvili (Montypellier), Taumoepeau (Castres) and Ferreira (Toulouse).

Let's do the same here, I'm curious to know what the regulars on this side of the forum think. I'm not making a poll because we're basically 3 people and we'll go through every position on this same thread progressively, no need to make one thread per position.

I've voted for Thomas Domingo.
* I understand Van de Merwe has added power in the Parisian scrum, and along with Slimani, they've broken a share number of necks this season, in both competitions from what I've seen.
* Chiocci has been a pleasant surprise. He's dense enough physically, thick throughout his body that he offers good power in the scrum but he's been exposed a few times too and can look a tad soft in that exercise, but he's still young and held up well there and has shown ability on defense and has a distinct ability to use his weight to score over about 3 defenders when Toulon has needed the last 2 meters for a try camping on the opposition's line.

But I'm going for Domingo because he's the best LH scrummager in the championship, and although he's had some difficulties in the 6N last winter, he just gets his team penalties and does help out besides the scrum too in the loose.

 

[LeinsterMan (NotTigsMan)]

Domingo for me but only because I met him and had a small conversation with him. (although I might have been rather drunk)

 

[big ginger 8]

Good to see HVDM is still going strong.

That is all.

 

[hooker02]

Domingo is a class loosehead scumming wise he is the best in the world at loosehead not bad for someone 16stone!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

seriously, Tony, gaston, FrenchFan ?? No comment ?

 

[Tony Manx]

Syneghael, Barcella, Broster, Van Staden.....where are these powerful props' names then?

 

[Big Ewis]

Syneghael, Barcella, Broster, Van Staden.....where are these powerful props' names then?

Barcela. Nobody playing for Bloody Opeless is to appear here ! But who do you reckon was the top LH prop this year ?

 

[Big Ewis]

HOOKERS
Best Hookers: the blonde ones

So yeah, best hookers they've got:

1- Ole Avei (Bordeaux): Samoan style, he's very mobile, powerful (1m80, 114kg), good lineout, holds well in the scrum. Brings that little Pacific Islander extra to the hooker position.

2 - Craig Burden (Toulon): to think he came in as a medical joker for Sebastien Bruno. Had totally forgotten about the latter. He's really impressed. South Africa seriously knows how to produce good hookers, and Toulon really nailed it big time by getting this relative no-name. Excellent find. 1m84, 98kg.
Huge activity and workrate, big tackler, very good runner, got those crafty crafty moves (like that huge break in the final vs Castres out the ruck). He's 29, so he's still got some good years ahead of him.

3 - Szarzewski (Racing)

4 - David Roumieu (Bayonne): haven't seen much of Bayonne this year.

5 - Ben Kayser (Clermont): agreed he hasn't been as good as last year. This year's been fairly mediocre for him, and he has the potential, without flash, to be the best hooker in this league.

Mentions to: Mach, Guillaume Ribes (Brive), Laurent Sempéré (Paris), Guirado (Perpignan).

I like their Top 3, I think it's very well picked. Can't pick between those guys really, each one has his own thing the other doesn't.

 

[gaston le gaff]

years and years of this from Rugbyrama i'm on a free rugby holiday until the end of June when we start training again i live and breath rugby 2 days a week at Montupellier for 10 months a year and if you want the best players in the best positions put down the whole Toulon team as they won everything with FTD on their bench guesting for a couple of matches.............
I 'm now going back to sleep for another 4 weeks GOOD NIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Big Ewis]

ok, well I guess that's it for the Top 14 boards then, unless Tony and I keep going by our lonely selves...

In other news, J.M Doussain was voted the best Toulousain of the season (by the Toulousain fans, over 200'000 votes). The distance between his ability and the way ppl perceive him outside France is enormous. I really hope he plays well again in Bleus so ppl see his true quality.

 

[Tony Manx]

ok, well I guess that's it for the Top 14 boards then, unless Tony and I keep going by our lonely selves...

In other news, J.M Doussain was voted the best Toulousain of the season (by the Toulousain fans, over 200'000 votes). The distance between his ability and the way ppl perceive him outside France is enormous. I really hope he plays well again in Bleus so ppl see his true quality.

I agree and, to quote, Gaston....night, night!!!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Best Hookers: the blonde ones

So yeah, best hookers they've got:

1- Ole Avei (Bordeaux): Samoan style, he's very mobile, powerful (1m80, 114kg), good lineout, holds well in the scrum. Brings that little Pacific Islander extra to the hooker position.

2 - Craig Burden (Toulon): to think he came in as a medical joker for Sebastien Bruno. Had totally forgotten about the latter. He's really impressed. South Africa seriously knows how to produce good hookers, and Toulon really nailed it big time by getting this relative no-name. Excellent find. 1m84, 98kg.
Huge activity and workrate, big tackler, very good runner, got those crafty crafty moves (like that huge break in the final vs Castres out the ruck). He's 29, so he's still got some good years ahead of him.

3 - Szarzewski (Racing)

4 - David Roumieu (Bayonne): haven't seen much of Bayonne this year.

5 - Ben Kayser (Clermont): agreed he hasn't been as good as last year. This year's been fairly mediocre for him, and he has the potential, without flash, to be the best hooker in this league.

Mentions to: Mach, Guillaume Ribes (Brive), Laurent Sempéré (Paris), Guirado (Perpignan).

I like their Top 3, I think it's very well picked. Can't pick between those guys really, each one has his own thing the other doesn't.

We sure do know how to do hookers *keeps straight face*. Other positions maybe not so much but the pack we have covered and don't believe the myth we don't have good tight head props; it's just a perception because of Jannie du Plessis (nowhere near the top of the list anymore aat least ITO form/ability but we tend to not look past caps) has been nailed down so long now. Watch out for hooker Deon Fourie coming through from the Stormers to Top 14 action next year. Not the best line-out thrower which can be a problme but sheesh, Burden has got nothing on this guy when it comes to mobility and workrate. For interest's sake Burden is a converted winger; John Plumtree told him to bulk up and move to hooker.

I don't have anything to contribute to this thread (mostly watched only RM92 games and the play-offs) but keep it up, guys!!

 

[Big Ewis]

Tbh, I'm a bit surprised, from what I've seen, by South Africa's relative lack of good tightheads over the years. Yes South Africa know how to produce packs for sure, no doubt, and credit goes to them for that; but TH in particular, you'd think SA would have dominant forces in that field, but not so much.

So Burden was a winger, alright. Makes sense, given his pace and love of running, but still hard to believe.

Note: RugbyRama will be going through all positions one by one every week. If there's enough activity here, I'll translate and post here.

 

[gaston le gaff]

still asleep!!!!!!!!!! give me a call when they get to No.23 should be about the same time as i am waking up from my rugby free hols..............!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[TRF_stormer2010]

Maybe not under the older laws which tend to favor 'short' props and/or 'technical' props but watch the SA scrums under the new laws which favor pure power. At least Super rugby and test matches since it's introduction indicate a definate upward curve and our newer props are beefy; just watch tomorrow morning how Thoams du Toit (130kg) destroys the Baby All Black scrum.

 

[Big Ewis]

TIGHTHEADS

RR got:
1 - Carl Hayman (Toulon): there are many good TH's in the Top 14, but the ex-Allblack has been very impressive, it's true. The new rules have surely helped him, as he wasn't *this* incisive last year for e.g. But he's obviously always been a very powerful scrummager. He's been decisive in both Toulon's playoffs for the trophies, and has got them precious penalties at scrumtime. Not the most versatile TH, but his power in the scrum has been unparalleled. Not sure what LH can push him back.

2 - Rabah Slimani (Paris): for a "little" guy, and that young for a TH, Slimani has hurt a few necks this season with his low center of gravity and compact frame. Great mobility for a TH too. Has a chance to become a France great at the 3 position, the heir to Nicolas Mas's throne.

3 - Luc Ducalcon (Racing Métro 92): definitely one of the beneficiaries of the new laws, I'm no fan and I must admit he's been powerful in the scrum this year. I always thought he was one big teddy-bear like fat guy, soft in the scrum, and slow mentally. Not playing for France at all this season, he could focus on Racing Rugby 100%, and really gave them a solid pillar to work with.

4 - Census Johnston (To-Lose): one of the rare super huge guys who's actually suffered under the new laws. Clearly. Yes, age comes in, he's 33 and not near his prime anymore. But goddamn, he's got smashed a few times this year, and has never looked dominant at scrum time...and mediocre outside the scrum. But still one huge Samoan monster with power. Not exactly a disaster for your front row.

5 - Patrick Toetu (Bordeaux-Bègles): can't speak about him. 30yo, 127kg, a kiwi. I know Bordeaux have had not bad a scrum this season with Poux on the left, but the article emphasizes his play in the loose.

Mentions to: Marc Clerc (Oyonnax), Davit Zirakashvili (Clermont), Nicolas Mas (Pepsi Cola).

So, no Nicolas Mas in the Top 5, but France at least has two guys in the Top 3. Not too bad a situation in the end, but I do wish the LNR (Top 14) would quit making shortcuts and getting already trained, easy-fix Georgian players systematically and develop the local talent more. We're France, ffs. We're that side others fear because of the scrum, and TH's are gold in the front row. I want more typical Southwestern little rhinos, where they at ?!

And me, I'd have Zirakashvili in the Top 5 for sure. And Mas hasn't played loads this season, but he's still had impressive moments in the scrum for MP...but I understand they'd keep him out of the Top 5.
And as I read the comment on the article, I agree Wihongi (Castres) should at least get a mention. They had a dominant scrum this year, and he gets injured, and bam, they get fkd up the A at scrum time in the final against Toulon. Turns out he was that huge for a very good Castres side.

 

[FrenchFan]

ok, well I guess that's it for the Top 14 boards then, unless Tony and I keep going by our lonely selves...

In other news, J.M Doussain was voted the best Toulousain of the season (by the Toulousain fans, over 200'000 votes). The distance between his ability and the way ppl perceive him outside France is enormous. I really hope he plays well again in Bleus so ppl see his true quality.

yep Doussain got my vote. He had an exceptional season. Carried the team in many games. As long as he can focus on his club career 100% he will get better.

and he gets my vote as best scrum half in Top 14. He was more consistent than Parra. I don't have Parra's kicking stats so I'm not sure who comes on top for kicking. I thought he was more decisive in more games than Parra was for Clermont. Also JM is a better tackler & defender than Parra & Machenaud. He has also successfully covered 9 & 10 positions unlike other SH. I hope Machenaud stays ahead of him in the pecking order for the national side, even though he is a better player than Machenaud in my view, because that way JM will be more involved for the club.

 

[Big Ewis]

The locks assessment is out, but I'm stopping this; no feedback.

 

[Draggs]

Glad Burden has done so well. Shame he wasn't given a good run in Durban, Kyle Cooper suffering from BdP syndrome as well now.

Mas hasn't been at his best recently. Not sure whether it is age, laws, or a combination of the two. Might be worth giving Slimani more time for France prior to 2015. Do you have the locks, Ewis?

 

[Big Ewis]

aaaaalright, doin' this just for you Draggs !

LOCKS

- Juandre Kruger (Racing): second best lineout-counterer in the league. Excellent for Racing lineout. His power and workrate have made him a regular starter on a loaded team. And great recognition to be selected by the Baabaas (and World XV ? Forgot...). 28yo.

- Bakkies Botha (Toulon): at 34yo, the grunt, the taunting, the grueling battles in the ruck...no intro needed.

- Capo Ortega (Castres): at 33yo, the Uruguayan has just been a workhorse for his club. 73 minutes-per-game. Played all of the Castres playoff matches.

- Arnaud Mela (Brive): 34yo, discreet but gets a huge load done. 73 m.p.g.

- Alexandre Flanquart (Paris): just 24yo, this year was his true arrival in the Top 14 and world Rugby. 2m06 tall, a big bonus for lineouts and very good mobility for a lock. His partnership with Papé has been very beneficial for Paris.

Mentions to: Juandre Marais (Bordeaux), Jocelino Suta (Toulon), Thibault Lassalle (Oyonnax), Julien Ledevec (Brive) whom the France staff was interested in a month ago, François Van de Merwe (Racing).