Decision-making for forwards at rucks

Many teams at higher levels define a forward’s role in general phase play quite specifically. Some may be nominated as ball-carriers and/or offloaders, others may be required to play in “pods” on the edge, or in the middle of the field consistently. Others will be nominated as cleanout specialists whose one task is to move from tackle to tackle, smashing opposition threats off the ball.

Such players will have a target agreed with the coaches, to hit maybe 30-40 rucks per game. The forward you pick for this role needs the following qualities:

1. Power in contact

2. Low centre of gravity

3. Appetite for work

While this works at the professional level, you need to adjust this to suit your team. You don’t want players to become one-trick ponies, with little appreciation for the wider game. However, there is no harm in giving a player that role in one game or one half of a game.

• Number of involvements:

As a rule of thumb, a good rucking forward wants to be involved in every other ruck. They win one ruck, recover and look for where the next ruck is likely to be.

• Quality of involvements:

It is not enough to just appear at a ruck and “lean” on it. You have to set a standard for what you achieve.

Sometimes, the rucking forward will be adding weight to the second player at the ruck, helping to secure the ball.

Other times, they must clearly win the battle for the space over the ball, giving their team quick access and preventing any threats.

Use Sean Holley’s ruck decision-making exercise on page 5 to work on this.

• Positioning and range:

Without advocating a specific system (like a 1-3-3-1), the rucking forward should put themselves between the 15m lines, probably around the first and second receivers. They have to be based in midfield, next to the two major distributors, in order to take the shortest route to the tackle area and multiply their involvements.

In a series of rucks, it is unlikely they will be moving more than 40m sideways. Otherwise these players will quickly run out of steam. Every contact will drain energy so they need to identify how to reduce their lateral movement.

To help players define their roles, use the scenario activity by Mark Calverley on page 6.

Remember to mix up the roles, both in games and training. Your backs’ decision-makers need to have a good understanding of the roles too.