PLAYER POWER RANKINGS | 3. TIGHT HEAD PROP

[@darthmaul408]

I’m so glad you’ve acknowledged Zander Fagerson Tim. He’s had a massive year. TDT… To play on both sides of the scrum at international level is absolutely incredible.

[@Zomo1553]

I'm really proud of zander, he got a lot of abuse when he was about 19 playing for Scotland. But he's kept his head down and really become one of the best in the world. He's not even in a props 'prime years yet'. I do expect him to be very very highly capped if he can continue to stay fit.

[@mariusmarais9750]

Agree, he was Solid Solid Solid.

[@jerrybuirski2344]

Trevor Nyakane has also played both sides for years. Very underrated imo.

[@darthmaul408]

@@jerrybuirski2344 very good point.

[@Deadlift14]

I like the TDT and Fagerson calls. I agree with others on here about Wilco Louw. Hopefully, he gets some more international caps.

[@boerieroll]

@TimCocker I love the Thomas DuToit call, would probably have Lomax at 1 based on year he has had. Wilko Louw worth a shout too

[@ant208]

I'll take Wilco Louw over everyone

[@KobusOberholzer]

Thomas du Toit is such a powerful scrummer. Great field work as well 😊😊

[@kropotkine9640]

I think George Henri Colombe could have an honourable mention He was part of the French C team that beat Argentina last Summer puting the Pumas scrum under immense pressure He also was the remplacement for Tevita Tatafu after his injury in the Autumn clash agaisnt the ABs and played 70 minutes with incredible ferocity managing to block Will Jordan and create the ultimate maul that stopped the game He and Tatafu are the future of Tigh heads for france

[@andrewcowman8731]

French C? Yeah thats your argument?

[@kropotkine9640]

@@andrewcowman8731 the French starting XV had a total of 98 caps, six players were uncapped and the bench wasn't really better While for the Pumas it was more than 700 caps (Montoya had 98 caps) So yes it was a C team and they still managed to be Argentina by 15 points

[@Thudsrayz]

Tupou back at 9 is an interesting call. Mike Cron is now the wallabies scrum coach and I wonder if he's helped the oz scrum performance. Always love to see Koch included. Always puts it out on the field and seems to be the forgotten Bok. Newell dropping out of the 10 is understandable but watch out for Pasilio Tosi. He had an immense year for NZ and made a huge difference to the NZ scrum whether starting or off the bench

[@FrikvanWyk-x4b]

Wilco Louw is currently the best scrumming tighthead Thomas du Toit deserves a place in the top 10 His allround play and scrumming ability is world class

[@subbie5498]

idk man if you had to pick a wc final tighthead malherbe has to be there he's won 2 rwc so far haven't seen louw in the big games yet

[@ASDan-123]

Literally just put in the comments section "am I the only one who sees how good Wilco Louw is!" Glad to meet someone else who knows their rugby 😜👌🏉

[@Nick-18]

Hi Tim Surprised not to see Wilco Louw not in the top 10. Love your vids and looking forward to the other positions. Lekker!

[@TzaboChakuze-vp7os]

Tim we get a show where you try analyse techniques and set plays even the position? What is a tight head? Why is it called a tight head? What role do they play in the scrum ? How is the role different to looshead? What make it a specialist role and why can some players play both , like Trevor? Why can Trevor Nyekane and Thomas du toit play both ? And why can't anyone else 'slot' in ? What makes a good tight head?

[@sarellandman6335]

Agree - would certainly considered Wilco Louw, especially after giving Ox a workout in December!

[@saiyandemonisher]

Tim in SA we love our bench (bomb squad) almost more than the starting players. When Rassie names the squad I always go to the bench players first cause then you kinda think no matter who is starting the bench has got it they will bring it home. And i am sure allot of coaches and pundits also first look at the bench. how fortunate are we to have the talent we got.

[@luthandomondliwa8702]

I’m surprised you don’t have Louw but a good list nonetheless. It would be nice if you could do a list on up and coming front rowers as I think England has good young props coming up.

[@dublin7]

My mind hasn't changed since the last rankings. Tadhg Furlong, Zander Fagerson and Will Stuart for the Lions Tour.

[@01stephe21]

Zander is ahead just now but yeah they are the men.

[@dublin7]

​@@01stephe21I still think Furlong is a better player but I do want Zander Fagerson to start for the Lions. I want a Genge, Lake, Fagerson starting front 3 and a bomb squad esque Porter, Sheehan and Furlong off the bench.

[@01stephe21]

@@dublin7 Genge won't be starting for England for long never mind the lions.

[@01stephe21]

Got to love Luke Tagi bouncing about like a giant ball of energy but I would have to give Will Stuart the 10th spot. He really has come on no end the last 3-4 months. Keeping illustrious company down at Bath seems to have brought him on a step.

[@Wolf-hh4rv]

The Bulls with Wilco Louw, Steenekamp dominated the Sharks scrum with Ox and Koch a couple of weeks ago.

[@Natedawg38]

I miss the Tadhg Furlong glory days and I think they wont be coming back.

[@lizzyhanahoe4197]

You never know. JvDF is playing exceptionally well at the moment, so maybe TF will pick up again, do hope so.

[@gregoryshields2157]

I think you should do a predictive lions 23 before (and then after) the 6N

[@RossoVerdeNero]

Even as an Irishman, I wouldn't argue with Fagerson being ahead of Furlong at this precise moment. But if Tadgh is fit for the 6N, watch out. When he's on it, as we know, he's an absolute beast, with the grit and determination to match. There's always a danger that we fans only look at a player's best ever period when judging them, but I don't think there's much doubt that the Furlong of the season when we won the series in NZ was the best in the world. Like the Ox, it's a scandal that he wasn't nominated for WPotY at the time. He's not quite hitting those heights right now, but I reckon he still has it in him. But we'll see; Fagerson has plenty about him as well, and that jersey for the B&IL will be hotly contested, which is great for the team!

[@simonsmith9363]

Thoms Du Toit has been epic, and world class both sides of the scrum. He humbled a young Welsh tighthead who himself had humbled the much vaunted Angus Bell.

[@LittleBigMediaCo]

8 big chunks of Southern Hemisphere muscle. That's why the rugby power lies south of the equator ... remembering there's another 30-50 like them in lower levels of the game. Anvils against anvils.

[@tokzup36]

Best position in the world

[@jameswyatt4443]

It absolutely is the most important position. You cannot win without a great tighthead.

[@oldtighthead2459]

Agreed 100%😂😂

[@subbie5498]

but dupont is the best in the world 😂

[@tokzup36]

@@subbie5498 jokic the best player in the world in basketball but it doesn’t make the centre position the best in the world

[@AllInTheGame01]

Thomas du Toit, Thomas du Toit & Thomas du Toit :)

[@chris5240]

Man, I was so sad when TDT left the Sharks. He is such a good jackler and in general around the park. Neverming playing both sides of the scrum.

[@michaelmartin2075]

I'm going to continue my theme, since I made the same comment for the first 2 videos. With Lions selection in mind and a likely allocation of 3 tight head props on the plane, you are going with Fagerson, Furlong and Stuart. I can't argue with you. The front row is an attritional position. I think, also that there should be, at least, 53 players going, not 38 to fulfil the last 2 midweek games on the Lions tour (without picking players who are on holiday in Australia!). I predict that an additional 2 tight head props are likely to go. In your mind, which 2 props are in the driving seat to be called up next. Obviously, the 6 nations will have a bearing on it. IMHO, Bealham and D'Arcy Rae are next. You can't bring Dan Cole (if you use the logic that Healy, O'Mahony and Murray are also not going).

[@subbie5498]

why not dan cole

[@michaelmartin2075]

@subbie5498 . I don't think Dan Cole would make it into a test 23 at this stage of his career. I'm Irish and would accept that Healy, O'Mahony, and Murray shouldn't go. When you clock up more than 100 caps, there is benefit in having you in the national squad. The Lions tour is supposed to be different. All national coaches will be looking at this tour from the perspective of what they are getting out of it. Players, like Murray in 2013, become better players when they have the best coaches and learn what they need to do to get into a team ahead of the best players in the 4 nations. If Will Stuart goes, what benefit is he going to get from having Dan Cole in the squad? Wouldn't it benefit him if he is competing for a place against Furlong, Fagerson, or Bealham. Maybe, Fagerson will benefit from having Cole there, but I doubt it. I don't think Cole is one of the best 3 or 4 international pros that will be on show in the 6 nations. That's where you pick your players from. If England win a Grand Slam, then, maybe, there is a case to pick a player outside your first 15 or even your extended squad but even then... Let's put it this way. Murray will go down as Ireland's greatest ever scrumhalf. He even, however briefly, captained, the Lions in the last tour. I can make a case why he should go ahead of White, Williams, Mitchell, Price etc. , BUT, he is been viewed in Ireland as a guy who won't be around in 2027 so Casey and Blade are been fast tracked to replace him. Similarly, Healy and O'Mahony were legends of the game and, while they might have another 2 seasons left in them, it will be seen as a failure if they are in a 23 man squad with their understudy fully fit. Healy broke the cap record this November but Loughman, O'Sullivan and Milne were injured. My point is, Cole, Murray and Healy toured with the Lions in Australia 12 years ago. O'Mahony was omitted but should have gone on that tour but thats another story. Do you really believe that they are still at the same level?

[@FareedLoyiso]

Springbok country produces world best props

[@the_katman2181]

Wilco Louw will surely be on this list by next year. Should be there already, to be honest. And look out for Neethling Fouche too.

[@andredekock2933]

Wilco Louw Bulls and SA together with Steenekamp destroyed Koch, du Toit and Ox Nche twice in the URC. Louw in my opinion should rank 5/6 ahead of Koch

[@EggchasersRugby]

Much like Tatafu of France, hard to pick on 2 caps only - but agree, if he gets more game time he'll be flying up the list

[@subbie5498]

100% sharks boks don't scrum like they do for the boks ali vermaak and malherbe scrummed the sharks but i wonder if it could be that sharks have academy hookers playing atm

[@johanjohan1045]

True.

[@Esse-vp1bc]

World Rugby are trying to make the game more palatable to those of a meek disposition. But I want more emphasis on the scrum not less. In fact I want to see the hooker role re-established as it once was when the scrumhalf was obliged to put the ball in square.

[@designmanagementconsultanc4143]

Frans Malherbe part- man-part-sofa definitely looks like he is 28 going on 48

[@mariusmarais9750]

For me two tight heads stand out for the whole season in now order. 1. Zander Ferguson 2. Tyler Lomax

[@x-latetv-x6816]

At least get one name right😅

[@c0222]

Accidental Partridge

[@Camcolito]

I reckon Tide Forlorn has to be up there.

[@x-latetv-x6816]

@@Camcolito what about thomas the toy 😅

[@c0222]

@@x-latetv-x6816 France Malherb maybe?

[@benvandermerwe4934]

Cheers. 🍻🇿🇦

[@benstewart8516]

Did we skip the year end report for Wales? Or could you just not face that one?

[@ASDan-123]

Am I the only one who sees how good Wilco Louw is?!😂😂 he never seems to get the recognition he deserves! I think he's been phenomenal over the last 2 seasons! Never see him lose a scrum! Or even driven back tbh!!😂😂 His carrying is very strong! His tackling solid and he's impossible to shift in the jackle position! Think he's very unlucky to not even make the list!

[@oldtighthead2459]

The first name on your team sheet is your tighthead ,the second name is your reserve tighthead 😂😂

[@jamesp1441]

Just my observation but I have never been impressed by Tupo, he looks like he should squash his opponents but never quite does.

[@philcoffey5656]

No stephen archer Tim?? Absolute shambles 😂😂

[@randomlyfactual1943]

I've said it before and I'll say it again: it begins and ends at tighthead. Forget PSDT, forget Kolbe, firget Dupont, forget Barrett. If your tighthead crumbles, your team crumbles.

[@juanpierrebosch]

Ostrich Eggs for breakfast, buck in Cape Town for some sun whoop whoop

[@rodesianRogers]

If Tosi takes over Lomax at tight head, ABz will have 2x 6'5 150kg starting props and Tyrell aint a small man standing at 6'4. All of a sudden NZ have some giants coming out now😂, couldnt of said that 3 or 4 years ago

[@tvpc3194]

tosi

[@rodesianRogers]

Yeh bro Tosi is coming through the ranks, once he gets more and more time on the big stage against the best props in the world, him and Tamaiti Williams could cause some big damage to teams in the next couple of cycles

[@O19341]

Hi Tim, what about position 16 to 23??? Too difficult to do???

[@phiphedude7684]

Something like top 10 impact subs would be cool

[@TheMachoMan]

Don't see how Frans wins it over Lomax this year due to Frans being out a lot more than previous years

[@jameswyatt4443]

Historic form is considered

[@mariusmarais9750]

I agree, but then Tim is looking at Historical Form as well.

[@CecilSpyron]

Wilco Louw the best Danie Craven prodigee

[@andrewcowman8731]

No English or Welsh

[@davidwalker2402]

Wouldn’t be surprised if Scotland wins the 6 nations , thats an unbelievable statement , they got beaten by France Ireland Italy SA , beat England and Australia , I have to say I would be surprised if Scotland finish in the top 3 of the 6 nations .

[@Zomo1553]

Well they are pretty comfortably the 3rd best team. Just depends on if they fluff a match v itsly or wales again.... I do think there has been a serious shift in mindset at glasgow and hope it's trickling up to the national team

[@jacqloock]

Two locks and a coach short of the top table

[@sirfrancis6058]

I agree, they haven't won it in 25 years, worse still I don't think they were ever in a position to win it comes round 5. They're a good team but you would need a huge turnaround which I haven't seen in the last year

[@iainbeattie2970]

@@jacqloockI agree completely- In Williamson, Oguntebeju, and Henderson we are on the way to solving the lock issue in a few years but unfortunately the coach issue will remain - such a tragedy for this group of players. 3rd/4th is likely this season

[@rawclipsandcrashes8413]

probably best back line in world rugby right now they just need to play well for 80 mins instead of 40 and they have the opportunity to win it. Should of beaten France last year as we all know that try was grounded which would of definitely changed things comming into the Italy and Ireland game. Yes they are yet to deliver in a 6n but Glasgow just one the URC and a lot of those Glasgow boys are in amazing form. It would be surprising but wouldn’t completely shock me if they ended up winning it

[@DavidSmith-yi8ou]

Malherbe definitely not no.1 based on 2024 alone that’s for sure.

[@daireharlin181]

Finlay Bealham deserves to be in the top 10.

[@jameswyatt4443]

I really don’t get why you love Zander Fagerson so much? Overrated.

[@ds-cx5yo]

hmmm well if jameswyatt4443 says Fagerson is overrated with no further explanation then I guess that's that issue settled. explain yourself, Tim from Eggchasers

[@daireharlin181]

Sure scotland are challengers for the 6 nations, they beat nobody in 2024. Typical Scottish hype

[@Karma-qt4ji]

@@daireharlin181 Not about the team, it's about the player.

[@Zomo1553]

There's not another tight head in the NH who could play 80 minutes, 3 weekends in a row, in knock out rugby

[@jameswyatt4443]

@@Zomo1553 Nonsense. This is what I’m talking about, players are being overrated because of a lack of quality behind them. Imagine if Scotland or Glasgow had Thomas du Toit, Wilco Louw, Vincent Koch and Trevor Nyakane backing up Fagerson like Malherbe is for South Africa. He wouldn’t play 80 minutes ever, he may not even start. He has to play 80 because the players behind him are terrible, that doesn’t make him better.

[@victorswart7411]

Nr 1 Bok prop ever produced OS DU RANT now we have several with ox in prime form.