Why aren't full backs defending the grass?

[BrissieTiger67]

This may seem like a stupid thread but watching the nightingale try and countless others every week that are scored on the edges just within the field of play. Why aren't fullbacks defending the grass rather than trying to put the player out of play? 19 times out of 20, the winger or centre will skew their body or arm to plant the ball down or just touch the grass or line; case in point Lulias try last week.

Once the play is set the winger is going to go as wide as they can and plant it down, so the full back has a very small area of field to get to and get their body underneath that ball. If the winger cuts infield the full back is beat regardless but for the countless tries scored in a 30cm triangle next to the corner post, it does seem like the full back should be there to stop it.

 

[tig_prmz]

I think all fullbacks just go for the ball. They try to knock it down or wrap it up. Most of them do a really good job IMO.

_Posted using RoarFEED V.4_

 

[happy_tiger]

Look I think I understand your question

As a fullback you are thinking of two things

1 Trying to prevent them from scoring and if Point 1 isn't possible

2 Try and force them to score as wide out as possible

Taking the corner post has made the job of defending out wide for fullbacks far harder , blokes can be almost two metres outside the field of play and still score

Honestly a half decent outside back should comfortable be able to beat a fullback one on one with space to move

 

[Goose]

I actually see your point…out of the box, but would make it difficult.

If the winger is forced in the air and looking for what used to be considered miraculous put down rather than assist the cover defende they should get their body onto the ground in as you say that square foot that the ball lands in all the time.

The winger would end up putting the ball on the fullback alot..... would be a hard skill and would only work when a cover defender was forcing them into the dive and you had a second guy getting there late.

 

[BrissieTiger67]

I'm not taking anything away from the fullbacks they are stellar, and Moses is doing a suberb job, just hate seeing miracle putdowns where defending players are focussed on getting the player over the sideline and not focusing on where they are going to plant the ball. Lulia had 4 defenders within 2 metres of him when he scored his last try.

I agree Goose. It would only work with the help of covering centres applying the pressure. But working in more defined roles I guess

 

[Doc_Tiger]

The Nightingale try could have been defended better by Brooks going around the hips and sliding to the ankles and rolling as was always the case years back. Nothing better to watch either in my opinion.

 

[Goose]

The Nightingale try could have been defended better by Brooks going around the hips and sliding to the ankles and rolling as was always the case years back. Nothing better to watch either in my opinion.

Brooks effort was poor.

He did have a crook shoulder, but he needed a much better effort than he dished up.

 

[TurnStyle]

The Nightingale try could have been defended better by Brooks going around the hips and sliding to the ankles and rolling as was always the case years back. Nothing better to watch either in my opinion.

this was exactly what i was thinking yesterday. i have said it often before, and it is especially relevant in brooks' tackle on nightingale: if he had just tackled him around the hips he would have taken him down before he even got so close to the line. frustrates me, and leaves the fullback unable to do anything to stop the try.