Just commented on the most violent game thread but it just reminded me that rugby has always been a game of size and guile. That all shapes and sizes can play the game and each player can have a valuable contribution.
Jonah Lomu is a legend that is respected even today. So what made him such a big hit. He never won the World Cup nor ever scored a try against SA.
His, size and pace. He would just bull doze over players or could even do a bit of side step. Not a big lumbering forward that have brute strength, but a man mountain that can run like the wind and had fantastic balance. Os Du rant and Ollie Le Roux were another two big boys that had a bit of pace but they always looked like they were falling over their feet.
So what is it that fans love then?
It is simple, nothing better seeing players being bounced off. Or better than a big hit that knocks a player back ball and all. How about schalc tackle on Fourie Du Preez.
But, as big as they come, you alway found the little guy coming up against all odds to bring a big player down. Joost wasn't a small guy but he was able to bring Lomu down. James Small was smaller than Joost and also could bring Lomu down. They you had Breyton Pulsa that did the same, but would do head high tackles which is illegal today to bring him down.
Today we see more of the smaller players making a comeback into rugby. The likes of Kolbe, Coppertino from Italy and Ntmak from France is not a big flyhallf but with a lot of skills.
I just wish world rugby would accept that rugby is a game of collisions and we love it. Stop with the yellow and red cards and let the game be played in its physical way
