No.8
The No. 8 forward is normally a big man, very
athletic, with good ball skills; he should be competent at line-out,
an aggressive tackler and an expert at reading the game.
GENERAL.
In the scrum the No.8 needs to be the balancing force at the back,
giving the scrum its stability and organisation. He needs to be
adept with his feet if he is trying to control the ball. Able
to break dynamically from the base of the scrumThe No. 8 also
needs to be a line out jumper, a ball carrier, a tackler and the
real driving force in the forwards.
SCRUM.
In the scrum he binds the locks together and is involved in back
row moves. He controls the ball with his foot in order to protect
his scrum half. If the scrum wheels it is not unusual for the
No. 8 to pick up the ball and feed it to his scrum half or drive
himself.
LINEOUT.
The No. 8 will have a wide range of line-out skills, e.g. In the
line-out he may deflect the ball in a manner which will make it
easier for his own players coming from the front of the line-out
(peel) to first of all catch the ball and then drive round the
end of the line-out.
DEFENCE.
If the ball has gone out to the opposition backs and his open
side flanker is beaten on the inside, then he should be in position
to tackle that opponent. From set piece he should take a shallow
line across the field just behind and inside the open side flanker.
RESTARTS.
The No. 8 is a key player in securing his own team's restart kicks
and in taking opposition kicks from half way and 22m.
TECHNIQUE
AND SKILL. The majority of the No.8's game is played
in close contact and practices should be organised to perform
skills under these conditions
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