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Super 15: Chiefs vs Highlanders. Waikato Stadium (25/2/2012, 06:35 GMT)
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<blockquote data-quote="Darwin" data-source="post: 484951" data-attributes="member: 24910"><p>His age was never really a concern for me, as he is probably playing his best rugby of his career. My main concern is his size (or lack-thereof). He is listed at 1.75m (5' 9) on the Highlanders website, but I'd be surprised if he was that tall - I've stood beside him several times and I would be at least 2-3 inches taller than him (and I'm 5'10... on a good day). Coaches never mention that he is a poor scrummager specifically (though I wouldn't expect them too), but when Joseph was asked why he replaced Rutledge with Schwalger at times last year he always said something along the lines of 'we wanted to improve our scrum this week' (and the scrum was much better with Schwalger at hooker). There is no doubt Rutledge is dynamic around the field, but at times I feel he struggles to break the advantage line with ball in hand when running close to the breakdown (but he is effective running a bit wider). I just don't think Rutledge would be as effective at the next level, where the players are bigger, stronger, and faster. Don't get me wrong - I would have been happy if Rutledge had been taken to the RWC ahead of Flynn, as I don't think there is much between the likes of Flynn, Rutledge and Elliot. I just don't think he would be overly effective at test level (though I have no doubt he would give 100%!).</p><p></p><p>In many ways Rutledge reminds me of David Latta - another great provincial player whose lack of size meant he was (rightly or wrongly) not given a chance at international rugby.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Darwin, post: 484951, member: 24910"] His age was never really a concern for me, as he is probably playing his best rugby of his career. My main concern is his size (or lack-thereof). He is listed at 1.75m (5' 9) on the Highlanders website, but I'd be surprised if he was that tall - I've stood beside him several times and I would be at least 2-3 inches taller than him (and I'm 5'10... on a good day). Coaches never mention that he is a poor scrummager specifically (though I wouldn't expect them too), but when Joseph was asked why he replaced Rutledge with Schwalger at times last year he always said something along the lines of 'we wanted to improve our scrum this week' (and the scrum was much better with Schwalger at hooker). There is no doubt Rutledge is dynamic around the field, but at times I feel he struggles to break the advantage line with ball in hand when running close to the breakdown (but he is effective running a bit wider). I just don't think Rutledge would be as effective at the next level, where the players are bigger, stronger, and faster. Don't get me wrong - I would have been happy if Rutledge had been taken to the RWC ahead of Flynn, as I don't think there is much between the likes of Flynn, Rutledge and Elliot. I just don't think he would be overly effective at test level (though I have no doubt he would give 100%!). In many ways Rutledge reminds me of David Latta - another great provincial player whose lack of size meant he was (rightly or wrongly) not given a chance at international rugby. [/QUOTE]
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Super 15: Chiefs vs Highlanders. Waikato Stadium (25/2/2012, 06:35 GMT)
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