Best 5 flanks

5 Warburton

4 McCaw

3 Alberts

2 Messam

1 Hooper

 Mozart

This time you are way out.   Please the selections should be based on performances - not hype.   I would not have Sloth Alberts in the top 20.

1   Luatua

2   Messam

3   Hooper

4   Cane

5   Warburton

 Alberts was rated by 2 of the above as a flank forwards.   That raises the question of what are really the functions of a flank and especially the blind side flank,   I would say these functions can be described on the following basis:-

*    Defence - in traffic

*    Defence - wider out

*    Ball Carries - in traffic

*    Ball carries - wider out also linking with the backline, other supporting players

*    Breakdown Ball recovery

*    Mauls - ball recovery

*    Line out ball recovery

*    Rolling mauls.

Defence

Based on statistics and observation Alberts makes about 80% of his attempted tackles in traffic.    Most (I would say 90%) tackles are effective - without resulting in turnovers in possession.

Open field tackles on his part is unfortunately non-existent as a result of mobility deficiency.

Ball Carries     

Alberts average about 6 carries per match in traffic - but in essence these carries are not very effective, with very limited meter gain per carry.   The average meters gained per carry is less than 2 meters and he has in the past 12 tests beaten one defender in the process.   In other words his carries are in evidence - but can be questioned on the grounds of effectiveness.

He has n the tests played this year never once carried the ball in space - in one case where he tried to link up in an attacking move he knocked on the ball.   Since he never passes the ball he is ineffective in ball carries and there is no link play with the backline or other teammates as part of an attacking play.

Breakdown Ball Recovery

He is relatively immobile and does not really contribute ever to breakdown ball recovery in open field play.  One glaring example was the tackle on Aaron Smith in the Ellis Park test - where he was in an excellent position to try and recover the breakdown ball - but never did - since he was clumsy and fell over his own feet.  Thomas has also commented on this deficiency in Albert's play and refer specifically to the clumsiness issue.

Mauls     

Alberts is strong in mauls - but since he arrives at mauls fairly late his role is limited - the chances of possession turnover is drastically reduced by late arrival of  Alberts and most tight 5 players.

Line Outs  

His role in line out plays are virtually non-existent.   He is tall - bit not athletic and because he is so heavy lifting of him in line-outs is virtually impossible.  In rare cases he does recover balls -  but only as the result of defective throw-ins.

Rolling Mauls

He is effective in support of rolling mauls stemming from line-outs.

Summary

In essence Alberts can be allocated the following points insofar as the above functioning is concerned:-

*  Defence in traffic          -    8/10

*  Defence open play        -    0/5

*  Ball Carries Traffic        -    7/10

*  Ball Carries open play   -    0/5

*  Breakdown ball plays    -    0/5

*  Mauls                          -    6/10

*  Line Outs                     -    2/10

*  Rolling Mauls                -    4/5

The total point allocation are made in accordance with the frequency of occurences during matchesM   Based on that Alberts scores can be set at 27/60 insofar as all-round performance of functions and effectiveness of performance is concerned.

 What is worrying is that Alberts is hyped up to be a top player without actually putting his performances under the microscope.   Is he a top loose forward in world rugby?  I do not think so - despite all the hype. 

In essence the main reason is the extremely  limited role Alberts played in exercising most of the listed functions of  loosie play is concerned.

Sun-Tsu

Wonderful words - but not supported by facts.   What you are talking about is mauls  where I gave him 7 points.   Alberts is NEVER at breakdown points where quick recovery is required - when on one occasion in 12 tests he was - he fluffed it by falling over his own feet.

"His ball carries in traffic are phenomenal, trampling over defenders, tie as many as four defenders from a single carry."   IN TWELVE tests he beat 1 defender  -  statistically proven.   Even if it takes two defenders to bring him down - his ball carries ended all in mauls within a very short distance.  All those phenomenal carries resulted in not one point for the Boks.  

I do not believe in hype - I believe in reality.   You also m ixed up Louw's functioning with that of Alberts.  Vermeulen and Louw worked well together - Alberts was nowhere in sight.