Weight of Victor Matfield

In the match on Saturday - Matfield.s weight was given as circa 109 kga,   In hi s book Matfield stated that his weight in his playing days was 106 to 108 kgs.   So what is his weight and what impact dies it have on Tight 5 play?

The days of a under 110 kgs lock is long gone.  In the present sceanrio locks weigh considerably more - mostly in the range of 116 to 130 kgs.  Most ossies nowadays weigh more than 109 kgs.   

The weight issue is important when it comes to Tight 5 play - a heavier player weighing more has more bodily strength than a lighter weight player and is not a good anchor in Tight five play.   Looking at the Springbok Tight 5 - Matfield is at least 6 kgs lighter than any other player amongst the forwards.

It has one advantage - namely - it is considerably easier to lift him in the line-outs - a 10 kg differnence in weight makes a considerable difference in that regard.  On the other hand his tackling - and he made enough tackles - is of questionable quality and he has a higher number of misses than is desirable.   A light-weight  forward player in scrumming is a serious disadvantage and so is it in the case of mauls.   He also is weak in carrying balls in traffic and easily tackled and penalized under such circumstances.

In essence - Matfield is a representative of a bygon era in forward play and is nowadays factually a passenger carried by other heavier and stronger forwards.  

http://www.news24.com/xArchive/Archive/Victor-Matfield-20031003 

http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,9818_2430403,00.html

If there was a massive fuctuation in weight, eg 10kg's, then  I would say this is worth debating, but it has been discussed soo many times now.

Any player bouncing between 106kg - 108kg would make little difference as would bouncing between 112kg - 115kg

Yeah but increasing from 108kg to 115kg would make a difference.

All these players muscle up these days.....Etzebeth started at 117kg and now weighs 125kg +

Yeah but increasing from 108kg to 115kg would make a difference.

All these players muscle up these days.....Etzebeth started at 117kg and now weighs 125kg +

I agree, but there is always some kind of sacrifice to bulking up, whether you are a speedster or hulking forward

I think we all saw the immediate drop in pace with Habana when he was instructed to muscle up to help him perform better defensively, same us some athletic big  forwards who lose what decent pace they had when going too big 

Moz, I guess you missed the fact that another Bok had Billy around the ankles at the time Matfield hit him high........just a minor fact you have chosen to ignore.

Matfield was assisted.......for one certainty.......Matfield vs Billy one on one would be a no brainer  

 Hell, I am starting to wonder about you Mozart.

You must have gone to an ancient school who has not yet mastered that 10 does not equal 7