Leinster Hookers in 2019

[curates_egg]

I was looking for Bryan Byrne to get a start against Connacht - and he did, and didn't impress. He wasn't the only one that day [in the first half especially], but as far as moving up the depth chart goes, he got a chance and didn't take it.

That's a fair point.
It just seems like Tracy has had loads of blown chances, with no selection consequences.
If what's behind can't push past him, then we probably do need to recruit there.

[ronk]

Think there’s any chance we might take on a NIQ post World Cup? Really feels like it’s the main area of weakness for us.

Very little. Threatening Cronin’s place would affect the international team and Best’s age profile is a factor.

We have solid options, just not so many game breakers. But hookers often develop late, sometimes very late.

[mildlyinterested]

Hooker minutes this season

James Tracy(9+9) = 697
Sean Cronin(10+3) = 683
Bryan Byrne(1+8) = 246

[ronk]

Hooker minutes this season

James Tracy(9+9) = 697
Sean Cronin(10+3) = 683
Bryan Byrne(1+8) = 246

Byrne's try scoring stats look even better

[mildlyinterested]

Hooker minutes this season

James Tracy(9+9) = 697
Sean Cronin(10+3) = 683
Bryan Byrne(1+8) = 246

Byrne's try scoring stats look even better

yet he still only has 1 start to his name.

[paddyor]

Hooker minutes this season

James Tracy(9+9) = 697
Sean Cronin(10+3) = 683
Bryan Byrne(1+8) = 246

Byrne's try scoring stats look even better

It's mostly been against teams already beaten.

[arsebiscuits1]

It's mostly been against teams already beaten.

5 tries. 2 against Cardiff. 1 against Kings, Ospreys and Dragons respectively.

The latter 3 were definitely just part of the larger hiding.

But those 2 against Cardiff were damn impressive and important

[mildlyinterested]

more to playing hooker than scoring tries I guess.

[backrower8]

more to playing hooker than scoring tries I guess.

...more to playing [fill in position] than scoring tries...

An ability to score tries in rugby matter. Some more than others.

Sean Cronin is the joint highest try scorer in the Champions Cup and, as a result, some think that he should start for Ireland (I don't). His ability to score (albeit mainly in an armchair position at the back of mauls) matters.

So there is more to playing any position than scoring tries, but its a pretty good habit to have.

[mildlyinterested]

more to playing hooker than scoring tries I guess.

...more to playing [fill in position] than scoring tries...

An ability to score tries in rugby matter. Some more than others.

Sean Cronin is the joint highest try scorer in the Champions Cup and, as a result, some think that he should start for Ireland (I don't). His ability to score (albeit mainly in an armchair position at the back of mauls) matters.

So there is more to playing any position than scoring tries, but its a pretty good habit to have.

Well there is, there is a reason Tracy is ahead of Byrne, even if Byrne has scored more tries in less game time.

[Peg Leg]

more to playing hooker than scoring tries I guess.

...more to playing [fill in position] than scoring tries...

An ability to score tries in rugby matter. Some more than others.

Sean Cronin is the joint highest try scorer in the Champions Cup and, as a result, some think that he should start for Ireland (I don't). His ability to score (albeit mainly in an armchair position at the back of mauls) matters.

So there is more to playing any position than scoring tries, but its a pretty good habit to have.

Armchair?


Back of a Maul?

[Gearzbox2]

more to playing hooker than scoring tries I guess.

...more to playing [fill in position] than scoring tries...

An ability to score tries in rugby matter. Some more than others.

Sean Cronin is the joint highest try scorer in the Champions Cup and, as a result, some think that he should start for Ireland (I don't). His ability to score (albeit mainly in an armchair position at the back of mauls) matters.

So there is more to playing any position than scoring tries, but its a pretty good habit to have.

Armchair ride, come on!!!
Scored 12 tries this year with about 1/3 from mauls
Was his 30 yard break against wasps off a maul???
Was his inside line from Sexton against Toulouse off a maul???
Was his 2 bulldozers against ulster from a maul???

I could go on but I won’t.....open the eyes

[ronk]

There's a lot of value in players with a nose for the line, there are a lot of situations where a good line makes a critical difference.

Its not the only part of their game, but it definitely should be appreciated if you have a dangerman there. Steering the back of a maul is also really valuable, very easy to get wrong. Those guys earned their tries.

[Oldschool]

There's a lot of value in players with a nose for the line, there are a lot of situations where a good line makes a critical difference.

Its not the only part of their game, but it definitely should be appreciated if you have a dangerman there. Steering the back of a maul is also really valuable, very easy to get wrong. Those guys earned their tries.

Absolutely and added to that the opposition have a defensive problem with somebody like Cronin because some of his intrusions are very unpredictable.

[hugonaut]

There's a lot of value in players with a nose for the line, there are a lot of situations where a good line makes a critical difference.

Its not the only part of their game, but it definitely should be appreciated if you have a dangerman there. Steering the back of a maul is also really valuable, very easy to get wrong. Those guys earned their tries.

Absolutely and added to that the opposition have a defensive problem with somebody like Cronin because some of his intrusions are very unpredictable.

Absolutely. Cronin's 327m from 72 carries gives 4.5m/carry ... absolutely mind-blowing numbers for any forward, never mind a front row. The guy can pick an inside line and he has the pace to run outside lines. He's been at Leinster for a long time now [eighth season] and he has never played better.

[mildlyinterested]

I don't think anyone has a problem with Cronin, more so with whats behind him.

Personally I think Tracy is fine and while Byrne has flashier stats(tries scored/minutes played) there are obviously some deficiencies in his game preventing him from overtaking Tracy.

[Jonny tight lips]

Hopefully we get to see what’s behind what’s behind Cronin in the next three games. Lots of future eggs in the Ronan Kelleher basket.

[ronk]

I don't think anyone has a problem with Cronin, more so with whats behind him.

Personally I think Tracy is fine and while Byrne has flashier stats(tries scored/minutes played) there are obviously some deficiencies in his game preventing him from overtaking Tracy.

In practical terms it’s not sensible to sign a hooker. Cronin is too good to be worth signing someone to demote him and the others are at worst adequate enough that there’s no point in signing someone below Cronin.

[mildlyinterested]

I'd sign Shane Delahunt if he was interested.

[ronk]

I'd sign Shane Delahunt if he was interested.

I had assumed a NIQ signing. That would be different.

As it would hold back Kelleher and hurt Connacht, I'd be happy enough not to make that move anyway.