Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

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POSTIGER
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Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by POSTIGER »

Given Tom's undoubted talents in the lineout - should he be starting in the second row? There is no question that he is great skills at the breakdown but should Tigers /England /Lions use him as an auxilliary flanker with a specialist 6 and 7 already in the XV? Thus the team has options at the breakdown and this also gives Tom slightly more freedom to use his pace and power around the pitch - if he's not already in the thick of it.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by tigerburnie »

He's a better 6 than 4 or 5 in my opinion,when playing I was of a similar size and even at the level I played at I was a bit too light.He gets away with 2nd row at club level,but there's no reason why he can't jump in the 2 or 4 spot in the line out at test level.He is becoming one of my all time favourite back row players,I like his attitude and endeavour,a star in the making,possible England captain for me.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by Hull Fan »

His best position is backrow IMHO.
Compared to Matfield or Botha he his just too lightweight, you would have too bulk up in the backrow to cover for his weight in the 2nd row. This is just robbing Peter to pay Paul.
He can jump at 2 or 4 in the lineout to good effect, but shouldn't pack down in the 2nd row.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by sam16111986 »

I think he's a better blindside than second row. The ability for him to break away from the scrum and attack the fly half quickly is a real asset. Prefer to see a bit more grunt in the second row espiecially with the return of the maul.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by TigerCam »

IMO he will eventually make a really good 8. Given his natural rugby ability and his quick thought he should remain in the backrow.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by Chobbsy »

tigerburnie wrote:He's a better 6 than 4 or 5 in my opinion,when playing I was of a similar size and even at the level I played at I was a bit too light.He gets away with 2nd row at club level,but there's no reason why he can't jump in the 2 or 4 spot in the line out at test level.He is becoming one of my all time favourite back row players,I like his attitude and endeavour,a star in the making,possible England captain for me.
I agree 100%, it has to be 6
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by Ben the Tiger »

He said it himself in an interview, that, at the moment he see's himself as a 6 but in his later career when he loses a bit of pace then he see's himself moving into the second row.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by bluntiger »

Crofty's biggest asset is his speed IMO. Putting him in the second row negates his biggest asset as he get sucked into the scrum/maul. So, for me he has to play at 6 to make the most of that speed and athleticism.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by BarmyBamford »

The best position for Tom is on the pitch.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by kricher192 »

Sky showed that this season he has made more yard's from the second row this season, also you can basically use him as a second blind side. But for the lions I think not, they were struggling in the second row yesterday mainly down to the fact that they had picked a light second row ( this was showed especially in the scrum). Even though we had the heavier pack we were slaughtered in that aspect of the game. It shames me to say this but we might have to play Simon Shaw. :smt022
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by captain_insaino »

I agree with the concensus that croft is better at 6. This is because his pace is more of an asset coming off the scrum from six rather than in the second row. I also think that he is light for a second row player as someone like deacon or blaze would be better suited.
It doesn't really matter in the lineout either as because of his size he can jump or lift, making him interchangeable.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by jack »

No doubt about it - back row.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by Snorbins »

6 and in 4 years at . hes a good second row but keep him at 6.
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by kornboy130 »

The guy has just become the first forward in history to score two tries in a test for the Lions - playing at 6, what more proof need there be?
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Re: Tom Croft's best position - back row or second row?

Post by importunate »

kornboy130 wrote:The guy has just become the first forward in history to score two tries in a test for the Lions - playing at 6, what more proof need there be?
Using that logic all we have proved is that he is CLEARLY playing out of position. He should clearly be playing on the wing or as a center!! LOL.

More realistically he should be playing in the back row. He has amazing pace, great hands and a terrifying tackle. Limiting him to the second row would be a terrible decision.
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