back-slapping in rugby....

[irocfan]

is it just me or does anyone else get wound up by the sight of players (normally backs) rushing across the field to pat the large lads up front on the head/back/arse/whatever after (what seems like) every bloody scrum.

WHY???

Please just stop this - it's fricking pathetic

[jamoor]

Better than fake injuries on football pitches.

[Issi]

Just you then.

[Challo]

irocfan said:

is it just me or does anyone else get wound up by the sight of players (normally backs) rushing across the field to pat the large lads up front on the head/back/arse/whatever after (what seems like) every bloody scrum.

WHY???

Please just stop this - it's fricking pathetic

I think its just you, but I only really found its done by the scrum half, if it is done by a back then its at an important time in the game.

[patmahe]

irocfan said:

is it just me or does anyone else get wound up by the sight of players (normally backs) rushing across the field to pat the large lads up front on the head/back/arse/whatever after (what seems like) every bloody scrum.

WHY???

Please just stop this - it's fricking pathetic

Its probably because they appreciate the workload and effort that has gone into getting the scrum or whatever that good and know that those guys have worked on the weaknesses and see it paying dividends.

You see it in F1 too with the pitstops, to the casual observer, 2 seconds work, to the team that does it, its days/weeks of practice paying off right when it counts.

[Pieman68]

It's the only time they get the chance to get close to the real men who do all the work

[irocfan]

Challo said:

irocfan said:

is it just me or does anyone else get wound up by the sight of players (normally backs) rushing across the field to pat the large lads up front on the head/back/arse/whatever after (what seems like) every bloody scrum.

WHY???

Please just stop this - it's fricking pathetic

I think its just you, but I only really found its done by the scrum half, if it is done by a back then its at an important time in the game.

if it was just the 9 then I'd not have an issue (let's face it, they've always done this which given their proximity to the lumps isn't surprising) but to me it seems as if this trend has just sprung up over the last couple of seasons. Saw it last night Marchent #13 for the Quins (who appears to be a fantastic prospect by the by) appeared from nowhere to go backslapping etc.

<grumble grumble> <grumpy old man mode>

[Nobby Diesel]

Nothing wrong with it, IMO.
The backs are coming in to acknowledge the efforts and achievement of the pack, but also to play the physiological card, over the opposition. It's all a part of the display of a "bond" or a "unit".
Remember ...............the forwards win the game. The backs decide by how many.

[DocJock]

Blame Sam Burgess...

[768]

It's lame. I'd have slapped anyone back that tried doing it to me. Thankfully there's not been any chance of that happening for some time now.

Mind you, it could be worse.

[Derek Smith]

It's the backs trying to remind the forwards that they actually exist, that taking one against the head is not a victory. In effect the backs are saying, 'Hi, I'm the chap who scores, remember me? Now stop hugging one-another and next time try and get the ball out to the guys whom the spectators have come to see.'

Or something like that.

[JuniorD]

Isn't it all just part of the homoerotic nature of the game?

[Smollet]

JuniorD said:

Isn't it all just part of the homoerotic nature of the game?

I doubt many forwards could spell that. Sorry front row forwards

[thinkofaname]

It is spreading from other sports. Tennis doubles, volleyball, whatever. It would drive me mad, having to congratulate/commiserate or in any way interact with my team mate after every single play. I guess these people tune it out somehow?

[Wobbegong]

thinkofaname said:

It is spreading from other sports. Tennis doubles, volleyball, whatever. It would drive me mad, having to congratulate/commiserate or in any way interact with my team mate after every single play. I guess these people tune it out somehow?

I'll watch the beach volleyball and report back

[Rosscow]

I've got winter foursomes this weekend at the golf club, I'll slap my partner around the arse every time he plays a shot and let you know how I get on

[Welshbeef]

irocfan said:

is it just me or does anyone else get wound up by the sight of players (normally backs) rushing across the field to pat the large lads up front on the head/back/arse/whatever after (what seems like) every bloody scrum.

WHY???

Please just stop this - it's fricking pathetic

Strange and it's you.

The forwards basically win the game if you don't have the power strength and skill to turnover or control the ball/restarts recovering the ball is a heap load harder.
Winning a scrum against you and especially when the run of play has been all them - that's huge. It can turn the game around the forwards have don't their bit lifted the team and the backs can leverage that.

The same happens with any great move by the backs or goal kicking etc. It's acknowledgement of skill.
For me when I played the adrenaline pumping was a key part of it - I do remember one our second rows (South African) who got himself into a frenzy in the changing room head butting walls and wanting people to slap him in the face over and over. He basically went into KO with a red mist I didn't envy the first person he smashed into. The logic was hit one of them so hard that for the rest of the game that player will be wary and not focus fully on the ball instead eyes off he ball onto him = likely error and we could score. Then again it might have been he just loved the hit so much that's what it was to him. (You might think someone like that would play dirty punches etc but not at all he played fair but eye watering my hard).

[selym]

jamoor said:

Better than fake injuries on football pitches.

Blood capsule-gate. I'll leave that one for discussion.

[Kermit power]

Derek Smith said:

It's the backs trying to remind the forwards that they actually exist, that taking one against the head is not a victory. In effect the backs are saying, 'Hi, I'm the chap who scores, remember me? Now stop hugging one-another and next time try and get the ball out to the guys whom the spectators have come to see.'

Or something like that.

Has anyone told Derek that Austin Healy has hacked his log-in?

[XCP]

Kermit power said:

Derek Smith said:

It's the backs trying to remind the forwards that they actually exist, that taking one against the head is not a victory. In effect the backs are saying, 'Hi, I'm the chap who scores, remember me? Now stop hugging one-another and next time try and get the ball out to the guys whom the spectators have come to see.'

Or something like that.

Has anyone told Derek that Austin Healy has hacked his log-in?

Quite.