Yeah I completely agree. In my first post I put tighthead as the most physical. I loved scrummaging though, being a tighthead I just wanted that 1v 1 duel. That and it was the only thing I was good at
LOL, The front row is not my first choice of vacation spots TBH, but certainly have a lot of admiration for those that can do it well
Good post, many above are hung up on impacts, but the demands on the body of having the weight of a scrum coming through you isn't to be underestimated. The only time I've played prop is in three man scrums, but know I certainly ached more after playing second row than on the odd occasion that I played flanker, but maybe that's because I was a rubbish flanker who didn't get through anywhere near enough work!
Thanks, and I get what you (and Tallshort) are saying about playing in the second row. I played a lot of my rugby there, and remember coming back to rugby when I was probably at my fittest (aerobically at least), and not being able to keep up after about four scrums... it turns out running/sprint training etc, doesn't help you push much ... who knew?
My preference was definitely in the loose forwards, probably for the same reasons you mentioned
It's quite an interesting topic this one. The physical demands are undoubtedly greater on today's players, than they were when I played, and the required change in the skill sets of the players in the various positions, has had a flow on effect to their physiques and the physical demands on their bodies.
For example, when I played in the second row, I wasn't really expected to run with the ball much, or make many tackles, but I was expected to jump (yes jump, not be lifted) in the lineouts. My counterparts in the back division, did not like rucks, and the only time you would see one in there, was if they were the tackled player ... you certainly wouldn't see them trying to effect a turn over like they do these days.
I think what I liked about rugby is that it was a game for all shapes and sizes - it probably still is, but not too the same extent as it use to be.