Willem Alberts as an athletic type

There has been a number of comments on the issue of Alberts' mobility as a loosie - essentially also by me. Accooding to official weights given by various websites - the position of potential candidates for 7 are as follows: * Alberts - 6'4" - 119 kgs * Botha - 6'3" - 103 kgs * Labuschagne - 6'3" - 105 kgs. * Vermeulen - 6,4" - 116 kgs The argument basically has been that both Vermeulen and Alberts are both short in the mobility factor. From a height-weight factor the following are particulars as to the playing weight of some really top loosies:- * McCaw - 6'1,5" - 102 kgs * Read - 6'4" - 112 kgs * Smith - 5'11" - 104 kgs In essence the issue here is how good are the heaviest two loosies quoted in sped and line out play. There is no way in the world that the two of Verneulen and Alberts could be regarded as mobile enough to compete with any of the other loosies mentioned. Neither of the two are in fact really effective in line out play - Vermeulen is slightly better than Alberts - because he is slightly more athletic and can help in jumping - naking it easier for support players. Insofar as the issue of line - out play is concerned - the average top locks are much taller than the loosies mentioned and more athletic as well - making line-out jumping possible - despite them weighing the same or more than Alberts and Vermeulen. Both Alberts and Vermeulen are in built more like props and that is confirmed by stats as well. Sppedwise their is also a clear indication that they are slower in pace than the average locks and loosies and as to ball carrying - which is always quoted by supporters, they are both statistically wise really not top ball carriers. Matter of fact Vermeulen is a stronger carrier of Balls of the two. That brings up the argument as to whether we can afford two relevant immobile loosies in tests against the All Balcks and the Wallabies - bearing in mind also that Francois Louw at 112 kgs is not the fastest opensider around as well. If the two live up to their reputation as being good ball carriers - maybe one of the two could be considered for selection - but statistically - wise they have not really made the grade insofar as that element of play is concerned. I would say that it would be a disaster to play both simultaneously in the team since they will not be able to compete in defence - especially wider out - and in ball handling as well. I think there should only be one of them in the team - and my choice would be Vermeulen ahead of Alberts. However, Meyer would select both and then wonder why the back row is ineffectual and games are lost as a result. It would be interesting to see what happens in the tests - I think Lobbe and the other Argentine lo0osies would be a serious threat under the circumstances and am looking forward to see what happens on Saturday insofar as loose forward play I concerned.

 Sasuke you have raised a good point about having a plan B with more mobile looseforwards either starting or on the bench. 

Although this applies as much to the All Blacks. 

In worldcups that have been played in Europe the All Black packs typically get outmuscled. 

Slower pitches often require more power than mobility. 

I cant see the All Blacks winning in Europe unless they get a very easy route to the final.

NewZealand is not going to beat physical forward packs like 3 matches in succession-

like playing England, France and the boks physical packs- if they get this type of run up to the final they are out.

 

Last year England outmuscled your pack and made sure to prevent your smaller looseforwards trying to compensate for their physicality by diving all over the ball at the rucks.

The English cleaned them out and suddenly the All Blacks defence was vulnerable because the opposition was able to run back quick ball.