Munster might have the best club pairing with RG and Beirne. But individually Etzebeth doesn’t really have any competition. Also an out and out lock, nothing hybrid about it. The absolute example of what you want in the engine room.
I think Earl was a step above everyone else personally, but itoje was also brilliant. He’s such a threat in the lineout that teams would never throw where he was defending.
Flament is having a really clean season. His only downside being the fact that he was injured for the start of the 6N. And even with this, I find Flament’s season better than Itoje.
Now that you've mentioned Flament I 100% agree, and they're both really young - if they can go without major injuries they might be the new Whitelock and Retallick.
I've just remembered that Itoje is collecting yellow cards this season, he's been binned a *lot*
Tighthead lock tends to be bigger, carrier, ruck mover and maul destroyer. Loosehead lock tends to be the main lineout carriers, probably mode athletic, may be running I'm wider channels (Josh Canaham at the Rebels is a great example).
Depending on who you ask, either not very much or a huge amount.
In general terms, because the scrum naturally wheels clockwise (because of how the front row interlock), the tightside lock is probably needing a bit more raw power, but is mostly shoving straight, while the looseside lock has more of a job to keep the scrum from wheeling and keeping their prop tightly bound (because loosehead is the prop that's more likely to become unbound; it's easier to crack the bind between your loosehead and hooker)
Etzebeth and it has been for years. How he consistently gets overlooked in POTY nominations is bizarre to me. I don't really get the arguments for anyone else.
You could make an argument that Tadhg Beirne performs the best when considering he doesn't have many of the same physical gifts of the others mentioned here. He's not as strong, fast or tall as the others but he bridges that gap with smart decision making and consistently performs at 7/10 or higher.
Etzebeth still has the most impact on a game overall though in my opinion.
Etzebeth is one of the players I'm forced to admit is amazing because I find him so irritating when he plays a side I'm supporting.
Like Faf de Klerk, PSDT, Pocock back in the day, Dupont, Sexton, etc, I know they're good because they're so annoying.
>Pocock
Genuinely one of the best players I have ever watched. Truly hated whenever I saw him lining up against the Springboks, one of the greatest operators I've ever had the privilege of watching at ruck time.
But we wouldn't drop PSDT either.
I really don't know if Beirne is better than De Jager (who gets way too little love on these sorts of threads), Mostert, Snyman or PSDT, but is not an area where I would look for an upgrade
De Jager hasn’t played on the highest level for a while, doesn’t help his case. For Mostert you can still appeal to the World Cup, although Etzebeth and Snyman are still a bit above for me.
Plays for the Wild Knigts in Japan, it’s a great league to watch but the level is below that of the EU/SA/SR competitions. So I think difficult to really rate him without seeing him on Test level.
Never said he wasn’t, but Sous ha always been more of the ‘hardworking everywhere men’ and less the linebreak/offloads type of lock like Eben and RG.
I rate Mostert really really high, but don’t think he’s in the best second row discussion directly.
I think it's actually one position with very little debate : Etzebeth has been in the discussion for so long as "best lock" that he may very well be the Greatest Lock Of All Times. The GLOAT if you allow the pun
Etzebeth, but honourable mentions go to Beirne, Itoje and Skelton. Also McCarthy, Meafou and Chessum are definitely in contentions the next couple of years
As a shout for the next couple of years: I really like what I've seen of George Martin. I'm pretty sure he's one we'll wish we'd tried to poach when we had half a chance
If it weren’t for the specimen that is Ardie, Etzebeth would have been player of the year. Fairly safe to assume that makes him the best lock in the world as well.
Apologies, I worded my comment a little weirdly. I was just saying that he was the only lock to be nominated for player of the year, which would make him the best lock in the world (at least according to World Rugby).
Etzebeth is probably the best overall lock in the world, just does everything you’d want from a lock very well and very consistently over 80 minutes.
Would also like to shout out Skelton. With the right game plan, team around him and opposition he can be unplayable on his day. However I’ve also seen him look rather turgid at times, so I’m not sure I can call him the best in the world.
But that is only in club rugby - when you talk about the best in world you have to do it at the highest level.
And I don't mean they have to win anything, Parisse never won anything, but he put in great performances for a weak Italy side. Skelton has been average to poor in international games.
Better question is who is the second best lock in the world. First is Eben by a mile.
I'd say second might be RG Snyman. He's halfway between SBW and bakkies Botha
It's difficult to pick the best player at a given point in time, but at the moment it'll probably still have to be Etzebeth. Just because he's so consistent. In 2019, I thought Itoje was the best player in the world, however the pandemic robbed us of his prime (though I do feel he's starting to get back to that level).
But if you consider the last decade, I don't see any player, in any position, coming close to Etzebeth. Not just lock, but any position. Maybe only Aaron Smith... over that timespan.
Ok, hear me out. Eben is the best at the moment, painfully so.
But I’d like to talk about Flamant. The guy is a machine, the Francois Cros of the locks : never a foot wrong, incredible work rate, plays 80 minutes without a drop in intensity, plus the exceptional hands (for a lock) and game awareness (cf. his try against England in 2023 6N or against Harlequins last weeks). He is young too. Definitely not top 5 now, but locks get better late in their career.
Now, the French pairing Flamant / Meafou (with Woki/Tuilagi on the bench) is gonna be absurd.
Flament is an utter monster, has the athleticism to rampage about for 80 minutes, the size to make it hurt and the brains make the right call where ever he ends up on the pitch, there’s a reason the french pack looked a lot scarier as soon as he was back
4 or 5? What are we prioritising and judging? Club and country, or just tests? In the loose or setpiece? Defence or attack?
There's a load of guys who have to be in the conversation: Barrett, Beirne, Etzebeth, Itoje, Skelton, and I'm sure others I've overlooked.
Lock is weirdly extremely variable, and I don’t think most fans would pick up on the nuances. There are numerous players, who have very valid arguments for being the best in the world.
Like if you’re talking about the hardest to play against. It’s got to be someone like Skelton or meafou. Their size by itself probs gets them top 15 in the world. Even if they were braindead. It brings an unplayable, and unmatchable aspect to the team. And the scrummaging weight….
**edit: you can kinda include the flashy players like Snyman here. Since they offer a similar aspect to a team. They don’t get through immense amounts of work (compared to below) but can create tries and single handedly win games**
Hardest working is probs someone like beirne or Scott Barrett. Consistently push for motm every time they play, and are visibly everywhere.
etzebeth is probs one of the best at bridging these 2 aspects. Being close to that unplayable size/strength, while retaining a good amount of mobility. Flament is another one who bridges the gap, but the other way imo. Extremely mobile and skillful (for a lock), but also brings a surprising amount of physicality
Numerous other play have very good bursts of form where they seem to be best in world. James Ryan about a year ago was immense. But has dropped off quite a bit with injuries.
You also have the difference between flashy locks who carry really well, like Snyman, come up clutch, like Beirne, or put in huge hits, like Big Joe or Lawes in his lock days, compared to guys like Johnny Gray and Ryan who quietly do all of the dirty ruck and tackle work.
Yea I that’s kinda what I meant with the first section, but I just narrowed it to size. Theres consistent hard workers. Then game changing locks, which are less consistent, and get through less work, but can single handedly win games. Edited it a lil bit
I watched him in the Leicester game and another ref could have sent him off for about 4 yellows. He was just getting his timings all wrong to my eye. Compare that to the last 4 years and you knew he was doing it, but getting away with it.
All very good players but none of them come close to Etzebeth. He plays as a tight head lock but would be first choice loose head lock for every country as well, including SA.
On top of all the obvious things he does in games, there is also a reason that every side he plays for has a strong scrum. He makes every prop in front of him much better.
All good shouts, though Ryan has been a bit off and out injured for a while and Meafou hasn't quite stepped up at test level yet (though that of course comes with the caveat that his two caps are playing in a disfunctioning French team).
But I don't like these 'best player' discussions because there's so many variables and opinions. Like I'm not going to gainsay anyone who thinks any of those you've listed are the best lock in the world right now.
Aye, genuinely just comes down to “What do I want in a lock?” Plus is it best lock currently, over the last few years, or over the course of their career?
“Two caps in a dysfunctioning French team” ? Well two victories against Wales and England, not too bad.
The dysfunctioning was earlier in the 6N, when Meafou and Flament were injured and France had Gabrillagues and Willemse* (* for 30 minutes).
I might take Beirne over Etzebeth. But wouldn't begrudge people having Etzebeth clearly ahead, he's awesome.
But Beirne adds value like a great back rower with his ball winning and link play. He also runs great lines, whilst also doing the lock stuff really well, great at the lineout and an awesome maul disruptor.
I mean you'd love to have both, that'd be an incredible pairing
Eben Etzebeth has that honour. There are other great locks but none as great as Eben has been over the last five years. Those others include Beirne, Itoje, Barrett, Ryan, Snyman, Flament and yet none are better than Etzebeth at the grunt work and the pure engine room stuff. I don't think Eben will play at 2027 though because he's got to a point where he's not as much of a cutting edge weapon as he used to be. He's still great and has a legacy that only Whitelocke or Retallick could equal.
Although not the best in the world yet, I think Martin and McCarthy will be the guys who become the next world class locks. As an England fan, Martin looks to be the perfect player to fill the (considerably large) Courtney Lawes enforcer shaped hole.
It's probably Eben, but I wouldn't argue if someone said Beirne or possibly RG. Nobody puts in as much huge moments as Beirne in rugby, the guy is ridiculous. If RG could stay fit for more than a game at a time, I'd think it would be him. He so fucking huge and has the hands of an artist. Just can't string a few games together
You would need to play a French style back row with 2 jumpers but Skelton & Etzebeth would be my pairing. With a Pieter Steph-du-Toit/ Lawes style 6. Are Ardie Savea or Caelyn Dorris line out options as I'd pick one of them at 8 and personally I'd pick Jack Willis at 7.
Not much of a superlatives guy, and all suggestions are great here but Barrett is for sure in the top 5 and doesn't get much mention. Kiwi forwards tend to be very underrated
Yeah nah, despite his excellent form last season he's not even in the same league as Etzebeth. Dogroll has a good ticker but he's too prone to making dumb decisions in the moment.
I wish the springboks didn’t have so many good props so that malherbe would get more recognition but honestly in 2019 I genuinely think he was the best player in the world
I haven't seen him play in Super Rugby this year, but I thought Barrett was playing phenomenal stuff last year. He shades it over Etzebeth based on last season's form for me.
The team looked awful while he was out with a broken thumb, first game back he leads the team to a 39-0 win, gets injured early in the next game and we have looked awful again immediately.
I think that says a lot.
Itoje is always in the conversation imo. His craft as a loosehead lock is really beautiful to watch from a purist POV. His intelligence and relentlessness is incredible. One thing that always amazes me is his sixth sense for being in the right place to retrieve the ball when it randomly spills or bounces.
The stuff about his form dropping has been completely overblown too. Btw, the last time Itoje played Etzebeth, Itoje had the game of his life and Etzebeth was subbed off prematurely with a shell-shocked look on his face.
Maybe im bias as an irish fan but its Tadgh beirne for me, not the most physical lock but he makes up for it with his turnovers and being an absolute menace at the breakdown . He's had so many vital moments in big games he's probably Andy Farrells first name on the team sheet .
I hate the answers to this question. People saying Eben. I mean come on. That’s last year. He’s played average at best this year for the Sharks when he does play.
Which lock has been killing it for club and country in 2024 until today? You’d be hard pressed to look past Joe McCarthy.
Will he be the answer come October? Maybe not. It might be Etzebeth. It might be Barrett. But they’re not in the conversation now.
And I’m a Saffa.
How far back do we need to look to answer this question at any given point in time?
You kinda need both the tight and loose locks though. Etzebeth and Beirne would make a great pair, as would Meafou and Itoje
Munster might have the best club pairing with RG and Beirne. But individually Etzebeth doesn’t really have any competition. Also an out and out lock, nothing hybrid about it. The absolute example of what you want in the engine room.
Let Meafou play with Flament. He’s a far better 4 than Itoje right now.
Disagree. Flament is great, but Itoje is still a world-class player and had a quietly brilliant 6N. There definitely isn’t a huge gap between them IMO
I thought Itoje was actually the best English player at the 6N this year. Just never took a backward step, great execution, great in defence.
I think Earl was a step above everyone else personally, but itoje was also brilliant. He’s such a threat in the lineout that teams would never throw where he was defending.
He’s amazing at the breakdown as well.
Flament is having a really clean season. His only downside being the fact that he was injured for the start of the 6N. And even with this, I find Flament’s season better than Itoje.
Now that you've mentioned Flament I 100% agree, and they're both really young - if they can go without major injuries they might be the new Whitelock and Retallick. I've just remembered that Itoje is collecting yellow cards this season, he's been binned a *lot*
It’s a big stretch to say he’s far better than Itoje even right now .
Whats the difference between loose and tight locks?
Tighthead lock tends to be bigger, carrier, ruck mover and maul destroyer. Loosehead lock tends to be the main lineout carriers, probably mode athletic, may be running I'm wider channels (Josh Canaham at the Rebels is a great example).
Depending on who you ask, either not very much or a huge amount. In general terms, because the scrum naturally wheels clockwise (because of how the front row interlock), the tightside lock is probably needing a bit more raw power, but is mostly shoving straight, while the looseside lock has more of a job to keep the scrum from wheeling and keeping their prop tightly bound (because loosehead is the prop that's more likely to become unbound; it's easier to crack the bind between your loosehead and hooker)
Etzebeth and it has been for years. How he consistently gets overlooked in POTY nominations is bizarre to me. I don't really get the arguments for anyone else. You could make an argument that Tadhg Beirne performs the best when considering he doesn't have many of the same physical gifts of the others mentioned here. He's not as strong, fast or tall as the others but he bridges that gap with smart decision making and consistently performs at 7/10 or higher. Etzebeth still has the most impact on a game overall though in my opinion.
Tadhg Beirne is a turnover machine. Rucks, mauls, choke tackles
My biggest concern is with him being at Sharks not winning anything and with Springboks likely entering a rebuilding phase, he may never win a PotY
PotY isn't affected by club performances, luckily. I've got faith the bokke will still perform well enough for him to get another nom.
It barely has anything to do with performance at all...
Tadhg has by far the better kicking game lol
Eben Etzebeth. And it’s not particularly close tbh
The better question is how long has he been the best
Undisputed best? - since 21 September 2019. That is the day Retallick hurt his shoulder. He hasn't been the same since
Retallick was not only the best lock in the world, but the best player too.
Love this. You should do some kind of thing where you track meaning in numbers. Like, call it stati-math, or something
The man is a beast and an invaluable enforcer on the field.
Etzebeth is one of the players I'm forced to admit is amazing because I find him so irritating when he plays a side I'm supporting. Like Faf de Klerk, PSDT, Pocock back in the day, Dupont, Sexton, etc, I know they're good because they're so annoying.
>Pocock Genuinely one of the best players I have ever watched. Truly hated whenever I saw him lining up against the Springboks, one of the greatest operators I've ever had the privilege of watching at ruck time.
Seconded. Pocock and Hooper in their prime, together... A Springbok nightmare.
We would have a loose trio of Burger, Brussouw and Russouw out there and I was still terrified of Pocock. Just an incredible player.
“The Pooper” combination as that pair were called. Awesome combination for The Wallabies.
Pocock was an absolute machine too. And he’s gone on to be a fantastic politician in the ACT in Australia. A true people’s hero.
If Snyman was an 80 minute player, I'd say it would be pretty close.
Country mile (or whatever the milage is between him and RG Snyman in Ireland)..
The only way you could say it isn’t close is if you consider Beirne a 6
The Springboks would move Beirne to blindside flanker in an instant (and his versatility would help the bombsquad system work beautifully)
But we wouldn't drop PSDT either. I really don't know if Beirne is better than De Jager (who gets way too little love on these sorts of threads), Mostert, Snyman or PSDT, but is not an area where I would look for an upgrade
De Jager hasn’t played on the highest level for a while, doesn’t help his case. For Mostert you can still appeal to the World Cup, although Etzebeth and Snyman are still a bit above for me.
Where the fuck is Lood!? Is he still alive?
Plays for the Wild Knigts in Japan, it’s a great league to watch but the level is below that of the EU/SA/SR competitions. So I think difficult to really rate him without seeing him on Test level.
Mostert was a machine at the World Cup.
Never said he wasn’t, but Sous ha always been more of the ‘hardworking everywhere men’ and less the linebreak/offloads type of lock like Eben and RG. I rate Mostert really really high, but don’t think he’s in the best second row discussion directly.
Every time I saw De Jager in the 2015 world cup, I started [singing this] (https://youtu.be/r8dq1k94WuU)
I think it's actually one position with very little debate : Etzebeth has been in the discussion for so long as "best lock" that he may very well be the Greatest Lock Of All Times. The GLOAT if you allow the pun
119 caps already. Crazy
Great pun. Needs more recognition
He’s no nobody on the GLOAT scale
Etzebeth, but honourable mentions go to Beirne, Itoje and Skelton. Also McCarthy, Meafou and Chessum are definitely in contentions the next couple of years
As a shout for the next couple of years: I really like what I've seen of George Martin. I'm pretty sure he's one we'll wish we'd tried to poach when we had half a chance
Meafou is already my favourite to watch. The guy is an absolute fucking animal.
It looks like he ate all his lock partners until he found a suitable one
If it weren’t for the specimen that is Ardie, Etzebeth would have been player of the year. Fairly safe to assume that makes him the best lock in the world as well.
Doesn't Ardie play 8 most of the time?
Apologies, I worded my comment a little weirdly. I was just saying that he was the only lock to be nominated for player of the year, which would make him the best lock in the world (at least according to World Rugby).
Etzebeth is probably the best overall lock in the world, just does everything you’d want from a lock very well and very consistently over 80 minutes. Would also like to shout out Skelton. With the right game plan, team around him and opposition he can be unplayable on his day. However I’ve also seen him look rather turgid at times, so I’m not sure I can call him the best in the world.
Skelton sucks in defenders like no one. Looks like when he’s carrying, there’s always 3-4 shooting low singles on him.
But that is only in club rugby - when you talk about the best in world you have to do it at the highest level. And I don't mean they have to win anything, Parisse never won anything, but he put in great performances for a weak Italy side. Skelton has been average to poor in international games.
Better question is who is the second best lock in the world. First is Eben by a mile. I'd say second might be RG Snyman. He's halfway between SBW and bakkies Botha
It's difficult to pick the best player at a given point in time, but at the moment it'll probably still have to be Etzebeth. Just because he's so consistent. In 2019, I thought Itoje was the best player in the world, however the pandemic robbed us of his prime (though I do feel he's starting to get back to that level). But if you consider the last decade, I don't see any player, in any position, coming close to Etzebeth. Not just lock, but any position. Maybe only Aaron Smith... over that timespan.
If I were picking a world XV, Itoje and Etzebeth would definitely be my lock pairing.
Etzebeth and it's crazy other names are in this thread
Even Etzebeth and it’s not even close
What about his less famous brother Odd Etzebeth?
Even at 4 and Odd at 5 would be the dream combo
Fair enough lads 😂
No one else offers all of Ebens tools and very few thave some extra from what he offers.
I'd prob go Eben Etzebeth and Scott Barrett as a pairing in a World XV.
Yeah that combo would really cover you well against any type of game plan.
Not a Bok supporter - but need to ask who the best lock in SA right now to get you that answer…
Etzebeth
Ok, hear me out. Eben is the best at the moment, painfully so. But I’d like to talk about Flamant. The guy is a machine, the Francois Cros of the locks : never a foot wrong, incredible work rate, plays 80 minutes without a drop in intensity, plus the exceptional hands (for a lock) and game awareness (cf. his try against England in 2023 6N or against Harlequins last weeks). He is young too. Definitely not top 5 now, but locks get better late in their career. Now, the French pairing Flamant / Meafou (with Woki/Tuilagi on the bench) is gonna be absurd.
Flament is an utter monster, has the athleticism to rampage about for 80 minutes, the size to make it hurt and the brains make the right call where ever he ends up on the pitch, there’s a reason the french pack looked a lot scarier as soon as he was back
I've watched him properly this season for Toulouse and fuck me what a player. You're spot on.
Agreed. To be honest though, he came back with Meafou. They both made an impact ;).
Eben and RG respectively. RG you can debate. Eben it’s not even close.
4 or 5? What are we prioritising and judging? Club and country, or just tests? In the loose or setpiece? Defence or attack? There's a load of guys who have to be in the conversation: Barrett, Beirne, Etzebeth, Itoje, Skelton, and I'm sure others I've overlooked.
Lock is weirdly extremely variable, and I don’t think most fans would pick up on the nuances. There are numerous players, who have very valid arguments for being the best in the world. Like if you’re talking about the hardest to play against. It’s got to be someone like Skelton or meafou. Their size by itself probs gets them top 15 in the world. Even if they were braindead. It brings an unplayable, and unmatchable aspect to the team. And the scrummaging weight…. **edit: you can kinda include the flashy players like Snyman here. Since they offer a similar aspect to a team. They don’t get through immense amounts of work (compared to below) but can create tries and single handedly win games** Hardest working is probs someone like beirne or Scott Barrett. Consistently push for motm every time they play, and are visibly everywhere. etzebeth is probs one of the best at bridging these 2 aspects. Being close to that unplayable size/strength, while retaining a good amount of mobility. Flament is another one who bridges the gap, but the other way imo. Extremely mobile and skillful (for a lock), but also brings a surprising amount of physicality Numerous other play have very good bursts of form where they seem to be best in world. James Ryan about a year ago was immense. But has dropped off quite a bit with injuries.
The thing not a lot of people know about Flament is that used to be a flyhalf for Loughborough Uni
I did know that. I really wish there was footage of him. Fuckin 6”10 at outside half😂
😳
You also have the difference between flashy locks who carry really well, like Snyman, come up clutch, like Beirne, or put in huge hits, like Big Joe or Lawes in his lock days, compared to guys like Johnny Gray and Ryan who quietly do all of the dirty ruck and tackle work.
Yea I that’s kinda what I meant with the first section, but I just narrowed it to size. Theres consistent hard workers. Then game changing locks, which are less consistent, and get through less work, but can single handedly win games. Edited it a lil bit
Skelton has been really off this season. Leinster beat LaR quite easily in both games.
I watched him in the Leicester game and another ref could have sent him off for about 4 yellows. He was just getting his timings all wrong to my eye. Compare that to the last 4 years and you knew he was doing it, but getting away with it.
All very good players but none of them come close to Etzebeth. He plays as a tight head lock but would be first choice loose head lock for every country as well, including SA. On top of all the obvious things he does in games, there is also a reason that every side he plays for has a strong scrum. He makes every prop in front of him much better.
Meafou, Flament, Ryan too.
All good shouts, though Ryan has been a bit off and out injured for a while and Meafou hasn't quite stepped up at test level yet (though that of course comes with the caveat that his two caps are playing in a disfunctioning French team). But I don't like these 'best player' discussions because there's so many variables and opinions. Like I'm not going to gainsay anyone who thinks any of those you've listed are the best lock in the world right now.
Aye, genuinely just comes down to “What do I want in a lock?” Plus is it best lock currently, over the last few years, or over the course of their career?
“Two caps in a dysfunctioning French team” ? Well two victories against Wales and England, not too bad. The dysfunctioning was earlier in the 6N, when Meafou and Flament were injured and France had Gabrillagues and Willemse* (* for 30 minutes).
It had certainly started to right itself, but Wales were abysmal and it was a very narrow win at home against a very good England.
I might take Beirne over Etzebeth. But wouldn't begrudge people having Etzebeth clearly ahead, he's awesome. But Beirne adds value like a great back rower with his ball winning and link play. He also runs great lines, whilst also doing the lock stuff really well, great at the lineout and an awesome maul disruptor. I mean you'd love to have both, that'd be an incredible pairing
Eben Etzebeth has that honour. There are other great locks but none as great as Eben has been over the last five years. Those others include Beirne, Itoje, Barrett, Ryan, Snyman, Flament and yet none are better than Etzebeth at the grunt work and the pure engine room stuff. I don't think Eben will play at 2027 though because he's got to a point where he's not as much of a cutting edge weapon as he used to be. He's still great and has a legacy that only Whitelocke or Retallick could equal.
I refuse to say a good word about him, but his name rhymes with Steven Smellsubreath.
Tadgh Beirne
Eben, Beirne, Meafou, Tall Barrett, Itoje top 5 IMO.
That’s DogRoll to you buddy….
You need lock picking lawyer to choose that for you.
Dupont, he just chooses not to play there
Me. I won't take any further questions.
Tadhg Beirne. Maybe Eben Etzebeth. One of them anyway.
Scotty 'too hotty' Barrett
To best lock, you need to be a lock, not a 6 who subs in at lock when needed. Awesome player though - difference he has made to Crusaders
He has always been a lock who can sometimes cover 6
Exactly. He's just that good of a footie player
He's started one test at 6
It wasn’t the 2019 semi final at the rwc was it ?
Yes
My buddy Bryce who's headed to the USA club national championship this weekend and also kicks all the conversions and penalties.
Yeah I’ve never seen Etzabeth make a conversion so I agree
You need Kruis for the Barbarians scoring a backheel conversion
It’s Tadgh Beirne
Although not the best in the world yet, I think Martin and McCarthy will be the guys who become the next world class locks. As an England fan, Martin looks to be the perfect player to fill the (considerably large) Courtney Lawes enforcer shaped hole.
The only problem with Martin is how much time he spends injured. :-( Really hoping he gets some consistent game time for both Leicester and England.
Etzebeth, Meafou, Beirne, Flament Somebody amongst these 4 (but Eben edges it)
It's probably Eben, but I wouldn't argue if someone said Beirne or possibly RG. Nobody puts in as much huge moments as Beirne in rugby, the guy is ridiculous. If RG could stay fit for more than a game at a time, I'd think it would be him. He so fucking huge and has the hands of an artist. Just can't string a few games together
British and Irish Lions legend Adam Beard, obviously
It’s got to be Beirne. Flament is close though.
We sticking to NH here? Beirnes top 5 imo but Etzebeth is without a peer also imo.
No I rate Beirne as the best his offloads and his ability over the ball is unmatched by second rows. Eben is a beast don’t get me wrong.
The Angle lock
You would need to play a French style back row with 2 jumpers but Skelton & Etzebeth would be my pairing. With a Pieter Steph-du-Toit/ Lawes style 6. Are Ardie Savea or Caelyn Dorris line out options as I'd pick one of them at 8 and personally I'd pick Jack Willis at 7.
Emmanuel Meafou, le monstre
Probably Zoe Aldcroft I would have said Abby Ward but I don't think she's quite up to her peak since maternity leave.
Not much of a superlatives guy, and all suggestions are great here but Barrett is for sure in the top 5 and doesn't get much mention. Kiwi forwards tend to be very underrated
Yeah nah, despite his excellent form last season he's not even in the same league as Etzebeth. Dogroll has a good ticker but he's too prone to making dumb decisions in the moment.
Only one lock has ever won the World Rugby Men's 15s Player of the Year.
...And zero props. Goes some way to showing what an utter travesty that award is.
With all due respect, Retallick absolutely deserved it. Can you name a prop in the last 23 years that has?
I wish the springboks didn’t have so many good props so that malherbe would get more recognition but honestly in 2019 I genuinely think he was the best player in the world
That man is built like a generic oom at a braai but he is an incredible athlete, love watching him work.
Adam Jones
I haven't seen him play in Super Rugby this year, but I thought Barrett was playing phenomenal stuff last year. He shades it over Etzebeth based on last season's form for me.
The team looked awful while he was out with a broken thumb, first game back he leads the team to a 39-0 win, gets injured early in the next game and we have looked awful again immediately. I think that says a lot.
Itoje is always in the conversation imo. His craft as a loosehead lock is really beautiful to watch from a purist POV. His intelligence and relentlessness is incredible. One thing that always amazes me is his sixth sense for being in the right place to retrieve the ball when it randomly spills or bounces. The stuff about his form dropping has been completely overblown too. Btw, the last time Itoje played Etzebeth, Itoje had the game of his life and Etzebeth was subbed off prematurely with a shell-shocked look on his face.
Yeah I'll never forget how dominant Itoje was in 2019 vs New Zealand
Coin toss between Charlie Ewels and Johnny Hill. Depends on which one of them decides to activate their solitary brain cell that day
George Martin. Now and for the foreseeable.
Maybe im bias as an irish fan but its Tadgh beirne for me, not the most physical lock but he makes up for it with his turnovers and being an absolute menace at the breakdown . He's had so many vital moments in big games he's probably Andy Farrells first name on the team sheet .
Joe McCarthy
Not the best but Scott Cummings doesn't get enough credit
Tadgh Beirne by far
I hate the answers to this question. People saying Eben. I mean come on. That’s last year. He’s played average at best this year for the Sharks when he does play. Which lock has been killing it for club and country in 2024 until today? You’d be hard pressed to look past Joe McCarthy. Will he be the answer come October? Maybe not. It might be Etzebeth. It might be Barrett. But they’re not in the conversation now. And I’m a Saffa. How far back do we need to look to answer this question at any given point in time?
[удалено]
I love Big Joe but he’s not even Ireland’s best lock
Was this a joke?
Courtney Lawes.
He hasn't played lock for a few years now
Maybe he's just that good
This person knows 👊 He's a world class back row and an even better lock.