AnalystGus overall I enjoyed the read, thanks for the number crunching and clever categories. It makes sense.
I wonder if you have left out a major role of a Hooker? their namesake, "to hook". Scrumming is one of the major decisions in choosing a Hooker. Maybe we should just say their jersey number, No2.
Also abilities in Mauls.
So yes the No.2 is highlighted by Rassie as a position he wants to have more options in.
One of the problems with descriptive stats is that they do not account for who the No.2 throws to, is it Eben, Lood, Franco and Synman who are good jumpers for example. Which may also impact throw locations.
If all No.2' had the same jumpers and same opposition then you could benchmark and compare, or get them all in the lab and test throws etc.
I noticed you did not include weight, height etc. I am not saying big is good, but some coaches might like a tall loose head and short tight head, if they are of international standard the lopsided angle is a pain for other teams. It would be nice to compare, those variables are comparable.
I noticed that not all names are in all tables, remove players if not in all tables, and just add them in discussion?
I noticed you did not include Deon Fourie or Marco van Staden. Remember it is a team of 23 players. Rassie really has changed the game, not need for two No.2's or two No.9's. In final RWc thye was one No.9. yet four No.9's picked in RWC 33 man squad. So in searching for next No.2's it may not be a fulltime No.2, but more a multiuse player, like Doen who BTW ended up being the on field captain (along with other leaders).
If rugby union under current laws, which favours clinical and innovative defensive structures especially if you players make little to no errors,
if rugby Union is looking like rugby league , then forwards will develop skills usually owned by backs and some backs will play like loose forwards.
Then Rassie has it spot on in having his No.2 (only named this as it is standard nomenclature, it could be No.99 or 87 it does not matter) Deon Fourie who can play hooker, flank. Like Kolbe playing Wing, fullback, half back or Damian de Allende playing 12, 13, and flank.
Imagine your no.2 who can play hooker, flank, centre, wing
Imagine Kwagga Smith as No2!
Then this really opens up bringing on fresh players who can also cover many roles. Half a game each, empty tank, nothing lost in new player but you gain fresh legs and minds.
Under current rugby laws (they may change, and they usually do) turn overs are gold.
Assuming lineout accuracy are similar amongst potentials No.2’s and scrums straight no penalties then the point of difference is turn overs. Speed, technique, fearless, clinical.
Rassie, sometime says maybe not the perfect player but he picks best player for the team. If you can't change the man change the man, it has to be a team player, honest, no entitled or no bumgats, grafters, workers. Someone with a story. Bonus points is you have lived or worked close to Bloem (just joking).
I noticed some extreme outliers - from a data analysis pov these interest me.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels 1.05 in turn overs, other things can be coached.
Important to realise some teams have different balls carriers which may not be the No.2 - so Jaco Visagie for example, on your stats is not so hot attack but awesome on defence. This may be a team dynamic?
bang hooker Andre-Hugo Venter are reportedly among a group of uncapped youngsters called up to a Springbok alignment camp.
AnalystGus overall I enjoyed the read, thanks for the number crunching and clever categories. It makes sense.
I wonder if you have left out a major role of a Hooker? their namesake, "to hook". Scrumming is one of the major decisions in choosing a Hooker. Maybe we should just say their jersey number, No2.
Also abilities in Mauls.
So yes the No.2 is highlighted by Rassie as a position he wants to have more options in.
One of the problems with descriptive stats is that they do not account for who the No.2 throws to, is it Eben, Lood, Franco and Synman who are good jumpers for example. Which may also impact throw locations.
If all No.2' had the same jumpers and same opposition then you could benchmark and compare, or get them all in the lab and test throws etc.
I noticed you did not include weight, height etc. I am not saying big is good, but some coaches might like a tall loose head and short tight head, if they are of international standard the lopsided angle is a pain for other teams. It would be nice to compare, those variables are comparable.
I noticed that not all names are in all tables, remove players if not in all tables, and just add them in discussion?
I noticed you did not include Deon Fourie or Marco van Staden. Remember it is a team of 23 players. Rassie really has changed the game, not need for two No.2's or two No.9's. In final RWc thye was one No.9. yet four No.9's picked in RWC 33 man squad. So in searching for next No.2's it may not be a fulltime No.2, but more a multiuse player, like Doen who BTW ended up being the on field captain (along with other leaders).
If rugby union under current laws, which favours clinical and innovative defensive structures especially if you players make little to no errors,
if rugby Union is looking like rugby league , then forwards will develop skills usually owned by backs and some backs will play like loose forwards.
Then Rassie has it spot on in having his No.2 (only named this as it is standard nomenclature, it could be No.99 or 87 it does not matter) Deon Fourie who can play hooker, flank. Like Kolbe playing Wing, fullback, half back or Damian de Allende playing 12, 13, and flank.
Imagine your no.2 who can play hooker, flank, centre, wing
Imagine Kwagga Smith as No2!
Then this really opens up bringing on fresh players who can also cover many roles. Half a game each, empty tank, nothing lost in new player but you gain fresh legs and minds.
Under current rugby laws (they may change, and they usually do) turn overs are gold.
Assuming lineout accuracy are similar amongst potentials No.2’s and scrums straight no penalties then the point of difference is turn overs. Speed, technique, fearless, clinical.
Rassie, sometime says maybe not the perfect player but he picks best player for the team. If you can't change the man change the man, it has to be a team player, honest, no entitled or no bumgats, grafters, workers. Someone with a story. Bonus points is you have lived or worked close to Bloem (just joking).
I noticed some extreme outliers - from a data analysis pov these interest me.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels 1.05 in turn overs, other things can be coached.
Dan Jooste 10.1 carries.
A-H Venter 10.06 contact meters 1.01 dominant tackles
Important to realise some teams have different balls carriers which may not be the No.2 - so Jaco Visagie for example, on your stats is not so hot attack but awesome on defence. This may be a team dynamic?
Where do you get data? Can you share .csv file?
All Good.