In rugby, the number eight is often considered the most important position in the pack. This player is responsible for controlling the ball at the base of the scrum, making tackles, carrying the ball forward, and linking with the backs. In recent years, we have seen some incredibly talented number eights emerge in the game, and in this blog, we will take a look at the 10 best number eights in rugby currently.
- Ardie Savea – New Zealand
Ardie Savea is one of the most dynamic and versatile players in rugby today. The 27-year-old New Zealander stands at 1.88m tall and weighs 100kg. He has won 60 caps for the All Blacks and is known for his ball-carrying ability, tackling, and work at the breakdown. Savea’s best performance was perhaps in the 2020 Tri-Nations match against Argentina, where he scored two tries and made 12 carries.
- Duane Vermeulen – South Africa
Duane Vermeulen is a powerful South African number eight who stands at 1.93m and weighs 116kg. He has 54 caps for the Springboks and played a pivotal role in their 2019 Rugby World Cup triumph. Vermeulen’s ball-carrying ability and defensive work make him one of the best number eights in the game currently.
- Billy Vunipola – England
Billy Vunipola is a 29-year-old number eight who plays for England and Saracens. He stands at 1.88m and weighs 126kg, making him one of the most powerful ball-carriers in the game. Vunipola has 65 caps for England and is known for his work rate and ability to break tackles. His best performance came in the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against Australia, where he made 20 carries and 54 metres.
- CJ Stander – Ireland
CJ Stander is a South African-born Irish rugby player who stands at 1.88m and weighs 114kg. He has 51 caps for Ireland and is known for his physicality, ball-carrying, and tackling. Stander’s best performance came in the 2018 Six Nations match against England, where he made 24 tackles and 20 carries.
- Taulupe Faletau – Wales
Taulupe Faletau is a Welsh number eight who stands at 1.83m and weighs 109kg. He has 92 caps for Wales and has been a consistent performer for the national team for over a decade. Faletau is known for his ball-carrying and ability to offload in the tackle. His best performance came in the 2015 Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, where he made 16 tackles and 12 carries.
- Marco van Staden – South Africa
Marco van Staden is a South African number eight who stands at 1.93m and weighs 105kg. He has six caps for the Springboks and has been impressive in his short international career so far. Van Staden is known for his work at the breakdown and ball-carrying ability. His best performance came in the 2021 Rugby Championship match against Argentina, where he made 18 tackles and five carries.
- Gregory Alldritt – France
Gregory Alldritt is a French number eight who stands at 1.93m and weighs 107kg. He has 28 caps for France and has been a standout performer for the national team in recent years. Alldritt is known for his ball-carrying and defensive work. His best performance came in the 2020 Six Nations match against Scotland, where he made 19 tackles and 11 carries.
- Isi Naisarani – Australia
Isi Naisarani is a Fijian-born Australian rugby player who stands at 1.92m and weighs 109kg. He has 10 caps for the Wallabies and is known for his ball-carrying and tackling ability. Naisarani’s best performance came in the 2019 Rugby Championship match against South Africa, where he made 18 carries and 45 metres.
- Caelan Doris – Ireland
Caelan Doris is a young Irish number eight who stands at 1.92m and weighs 113kg. He has 13 caps for Ireland and has impressed with his ball-carrying and work at the breakdown. Doris’s best performance came in the 2020 Six Nations match against Scotland, where he made 19 tackles and 13 carries.
- Hoskins Sotutu – New Zealand
Hoskins Sotutu is a young New Zealand number eight who stands at 1.96m and weighs 112kg. He has four caps for the All Blacks and has been touted as a future star of the game. Sotutu is known for his ball-carrying and offloading ability. His best performance came in the 2020 Tri-Nations match against Australia, where he made nine carries and 52 metres.
Conclusion
The number eight position is vital to the success of any rugby team, and the players mentioned above are some of the best in the game currently. These players possess a range of skills, including ball-carrying, tackling, work at the breakdown, and offloading, and have all shown exceptional performances on the international stage. As the game continues to evolve, it will be exciting to see how these players continue to develop and push the boundaries of what is possible in the number eight position.
FAQ
What is a number eight in rugby?
A number eight is a position in the forwards in rugby. They usually wear the number 8 jersey and play in the back row. They are responsible for controlling the ball at the base of the scrum, carrying the ball forward, and making tackles.
What are the key skills required to play as a number eight in rugby?
The number eight position requires a player to have a range of skills, including ball-carrying, tackling, work at the breakdown, and offloading. They should be strong and powerful to drive the scrum and should also have good ball-handling skills to link with the backs.
What is the typical size of a number eight in rugby?
The size of a number eight can vary, but they are usually among the biggest players on the field. They are typically between 1.85m and 1.95m tall and weigh between 100kg and 120kg.
What are the differences between a number eight and a flanker in rugby?
While both flankers and number eights play in the back row, there are some differences between the two positions. Flankers tend to be more mobile and focus on tackling and disrupting the opposition’s play, while number eights are more focused on controlling the ball at the base of the scrum and making powerful carries.
Who are some of the best number eights in rugby currently?
Some of the best number eights in rugby currently include Ardie Savea (New Zealand), Duane Vermeulen (South Africa), Billy Vunipola (England), CJ Stander (Ireland), Taulupe Faletau (Wales), Marco van Staden (South Africa), Gregory Alldritt (France), Isi Naisarani (Australia), Caelan Doris (Ireland), and Hoskins Sotutu (New Zealand).
