Half backs

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ChrisA
Posts: 1696
Joined: Sat Oct 09, 2004 3:36 am

Half backs

Post by ChrisA »

For all those who still insist the the two half back positions are still different, have a read of a clipping from a Danny Orr interview. It confirms what I've said many times, and people have slated me for it.

This is from an interview on the Quins site.
Interviewer
Will it be 6 or 7?

Danny Orr
It doesn't make much difference these days. I usually wear 6, but 7 puts the ball in the scrum, that's the only difference

Interviewer
First or second Receiver, or left and right of the ruck?

Danny Orr
Brian's not yet worked with us on that.
This shows that the only difference is who feeds the scrum, after that the two half backs operate on opposite sides. One half back on each side of the ruck area.

It's a sad fact, that the 10 yard rule has changed the game to the point that two specialist positions have merged in to one. It's just like having two wingers, or 2 props.

When we had the 5 yard rule, scrum halves had to be clever if they wanted to unlock defences. Attacking lines had to be deeper. All it is now is fitness and speed. We will never produce another Andy greg or Alex Murphy, the game isn't played in a way that would suit them.

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adrenalinxx
Posts: 1662
Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 9:26 pm

Re: Half backs

Post by adrenalinxx »

I always saw the Stand Off as the 'back-up' to the scrum half so to speak were as the scrum half creates the space with the passes and the Stand off is the one who takes on the defence and is more of an opportunist. I thought having Orr and Barret would have been a good combination for Wigan with Barrett at 7 because he is a player who creates space with his excellent passing and Orr is more of an opportunist.

I see Barrett as a more traditional scrum half rather than a Stand Off and think Danny Orr and Denis Moran would both make good Stand offs, there are still 2 distinct styles of play but it seems either is suited to scrum half or stand off now.

This is how I see things and personally think it gives a better balance to a squad if there is distinct stand off and scrum half.
DaveO
Posts: 15880
Joined: Mon Sep 30, 2002 5:32 pm

Re: Half backs

Post by DaveO »

adrenalinxx posted:
This is how I see things and personally think it gives a better balance to a squad if there is distinct stand off and scrum half.
But the point being made is that in the modern game there is no distinction.

I agree and that being the case it is just another argument for keeping Orr.

Actually with hindsight I'd rather have a Lulu and Orr half back pairing.

The reason for this is:

a) We needed a scrum half once Dobson left, so we sign Lulu
b) Orr proved more than good enough as a stand off in SL.
c) Barrett will cost a lot more than Orr and clearly the club is struggling with the salary cap.

I am not saying this because I don't rate Barrett but because Lulu and Orr combination would be cheaper while good enough.

Dave

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