12s are underrated, a good 12 is the person running the attack because a fly half can't organise the pack and the backline and think about tactical kicking live. Fullback should probably be on the list though especially with how important kicking is at the pro level

Traditionally, hooker, number 8, scrum half, fly half, full back. However, in the past 15 years or so, tighthead, openside flanker and inside centre have been almost just as important. Now I honestly think every position is as important as the other, apart from fly half.

Full back is the most important position. Last line of defense and a starting attacker if you catch a high ball. Gotta be able to tackle pretty much anybody, run through or past dudes and you have to be able to kick well. I played every forward position from flank to prop, mostly hooker and full back was the position I was most afraid to play...Luckily I never had to.

Would you not argue that the 15 is also a key player; marshalling the backfield and high ball, observing the opposition shape, organising his fellow back three players in defence, and not to mention their heroic defensive efforts that often occur after an opposition line break

I would have included the fullback. The poor, isolated man at the back who is your last answer to any and every problem the opposition throw at you. Chip over the top, fullback has to cover. Break through the middle, fullback has to make that last tackle. Break down the wing, fallback has to make the tackle. Clearance kick, fallback has to claim it. Look at the difference the fallback made in England's first three games of the 2019 six nations. First two games, England manipulated the opposition fallback to create space for the kick. Against Wales Liam Williams covered everything and almost single handedly killed England's kicking game. And with England's stubborn (and bewildering) refusal to change strategy, they lost the game. (That's right, I said it. England lost that game. Wales didn't win it.)

There is more than a touch of poetry to your posts. Marvellous

Great Video! Interesting to hear a different view! The spine however is already an established theory in rugby (the hooker, no.8, scrum half, fly half, fullback. 1014 rugby did a great video on it about a year ago.

reckon 15s are part of the spine instead of the inside centre. Fullbacks (15s) are essential in organising the backline defence/attack and are usually apt in receiving highballs. Even better when u can get a playmaking fullback like Beauden Barrett who has a creative mind and sound understanding of the game and attacking structure.

Beautiful essay. Captured rugby and the little things nicely. I have been playing halfback all my life, some of these things I have felt and learned and thought, but have never heard them said by anyone.

It's a very interesting video with a lot of great points. But the traditional model of the "Spine" is too hard to shake off. I'll definitely concede the importance of tighthead props, an effective lineout caller and a quality inside centre, but hooker, number eight, half back, 1st Five and Fullback are the are spine of the team. They also neatly account for the key groups, (tight five, loosies, midfield, outside backs and your halfback acting as a bridge). Certain players take on additional responsibilities or bring a new dynamic to positions, but some things never change. Hooker binds the props together and secures the ball, number eight controls the ball at the back of the scrum and runs it strongly, half back links to the backs and drives the forwards around, 1st Five marshals the backs and directs play, and Fullback uses vision and pace to inject themselves and organise defence. No need to reinvent the wheel here.

Excellent content. Thank you professor for another fantastic class. Very insightful yet easy to follow.

I play hooker but I think that the full back is definitely part of the spine of a team. They organise and call a defence, often kick, have to take high balls, control the wingers and also in many teams act as a second n10. Definitely do enough to qualify for this list. I’ve played in teams with high quality 15’s and they can change a team completely in both attack and defence.

Have been a rugby fan for 25 years and yet I still learn from your videos. Bravo 👏

Nice to see the rinach on the thumbnail he truly is a amazing player

Great video as usual - thanks! I would agree with some of the other comments - for me full-back is also part of the spine. Possibly the person who has to read the game better than anyone, to be effective in both defense and attack, they are also expected to have immaculate handling skills, lots of pace, cover more ground than anyone I'd guess?, reliable tackling, a big boot, loud mouth haha....it's a long list for one position.

Dude love your videos, wish I found your channel sooner!

Is it weird that when I listen to Jazz, I can always hear your voice now...

1st off great video, I appreciate your content. 2nd, as a proud tighthead prop and rugby nerd, I feel you've gotta add 15 in the spine too. having many 15s yell at me where to slot in defensively, a great 15 is always good to have lol. either way, keep up these dope ass videos and how pissed are you about Cipriani?? Jones screwed him over!

before i watch, 2,7,8,9,10,15

Excellent modern perspective

As a former tighthead I wholeheartedly endorse your assessment.

This is gold to an American like I

Hey man, love your videos :) maybe think about getting a pop shield for your mic? there are lots of plosives in your recording

Neither Johnson or O'Connell were their respective countries line-out callers.. England's when they were at their peak in 2003 were Ben Kay and Danny Grewcock, while O'Callaghan and Toner were the main line out callers around O'Connell time.. Yes both may have had a say in the line outs, but were never the line out architects as say Kruis is for England now, Retallick, or Matfield for SA.. The spine of the side has always been regarded as 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, and that as far as many are concerned has never changed. Unless people are very new to the game its been widely known for many years that the tight head is one of the highest paid in the team, and always as regards club forwards (bearing in mind some superstar forwards get paid big bucks when they move abroad)

NGJ RUGBY MY TEACHER MY TEACHER!!!!

Scrum Half !!!! The heartbeat of the team

Could you do a video on rugby league infulance on rugby union exp Farrell Edwards

What about the fullback?

2,8, 9, 10, 12

Big up the lanky bois

I played my first game ever about a mouth ago and I played hooker all 80 mins it was so mentally taxing

Everyone is the spine.

Great video turn the music down a bit kind of hard to hear at times

2:53 wow I took a few bullets there😂😂

If you are going to add that many players, you are going to have to expand the definition of a "spine'. To me the spine are those key positions, you build around, which traditionally are 2,8,0,10, 15, though I might switch out tighthead for hooker. In some of my teams, the line out thrower was a back row or prop if the hooker wasn't strong in that department.

!!!

The Hooker doesn't have to throw the ball in though.

Brodie the best ever? Surely exaggerating. Also to stick to the concept of the spine i think the 5 lock is more of the spine player as opposed to the 4 (traditionally the enforcer type lock) and Sam Whitelock is more of the spine player your looking for. Also no need to re invent the wheel, 15 is a spine position and 12 really isn't, nor is the tighthead, Professor

Who do you reckon will win the world cup?

You said BRetallick but you meant Victor Matfield.

A spine in rugby league generally makes sense but it seems like you just came up with your own rugby union spine...it simply doesnt replicate a spine if you are going to include a tighthead and an inside centre...one could argue that an outside centre is just as important as an inside centre...and it doesnt make sense for one to talk of a spine in league or union without including a fullback who is not only crucial in defense but also attack.

Victor Matfield surely

How come Alan wyn Jones ain't the best second row

What is a “tallas”? Man

First up, the ‘spine’ of a rugby team is traditionally 2,8,9,10,15. The reason? Not only are they influential, but they form a central ‘spine’ when the team is drawn out. Second, tight head prop isn’t highest paid. There is market research out there which shows it varies by league, but on average it’s the fly half (number 10) rugby365.com/countries/france/highest-paid-positions-in-europe-revealed Lastly, your style is condescending, which is ironic given the info you impart isn’t correct.