RBP Player Rankings: Hooker

Keeping with our player ranking series, here we have ranked the top 10 hookers in international rugby at the moment.

10. Guilhem Guirado

Part of the star studded Toulon side that won the Heineken Cup this year, Guirado is a hugely powerful individual. Immovable when he gets over the ball at the breakdown, Guirado is short, squat, and absolutely chocked full of muscle. Prone to making a big hit or two, Guirado is surely a big part of France’s plans at this years World Cup.

9. Scott Baldwin

 

Baldwin has been in outstanding form over the last 12 months, emerging as a key player for Wales in the November series, and then usurping Richard Hibbard to take the starting spot for Wales during the 6 Nations. While not the flashiest player on the list, Baldwin has a great work rate, and is very consistent in the set-piece. Baldwin made 20 tackles against Ireland in that impressive Wales win, and it was the set piece stability that Wales finally put together in that match that made the difference. Baldwin will need to fight for his life to hold of Richard Hibbard, but he is definitely up to the task.

8. Tom Youngs

Youngs is a rather interesting story. Originally a center, Youngs was moved to hooker at Leicester, and has taken the change rather well. Youngs offers a very good workrate, and is a very good option with ball in hand. He started for England when they defeated the All Blacks in 2012, and was a sub in the final test for the Lions in 2013, not a bad resume. Youngs is often criticised for his set-piece work, seeing him become second choice for England of late, but with Dylan Hartley’s latest outburst, he could be starting in the World Cup.

7. Richard Hibbard

A ferocious tackler, Hibbard is well known for making his massive hits. A key player in the 2013 Lions tour, Hibbard is a big man, and is a very reliable option at the set-piece. Poor form saw him lose his starting spot to Scott Baldwin earlier this season, but Hibbard will come back firing. While his work rate may not be up to par with some of his rivals, Hibbard loves to make big tackles, and there are few better than him at keeping opponents behind the gainline. When in form, he can change a game, but when out of form, he is best kept on the bench.

6. Stephen Moore

The Wallabies hooker has been playing brilliantly since his return from injury. Unfortunately that same injury saw his Wallabies captaincy last all of three minutes, but Moore really could be the final cog that gets the Wallabies in the right position for their difficult pool in the World Cup. Reliable as a wood burning stove in the set-pieces, and tireless around the field, Moore is a consistent figure in the Wallabies camp and will be a key part of Michael Cheika’s plans for the future.

5. Adriaan Strauss

Cousin of Irish international Richardt, Adriaan Strauss is a dynamic ball carrier and good tackler. Strauss would probably start in most international sides but he is constantly locked in a position battle with Bismarck Du Plessis. While he cannot offer the strength of Du Plessis, Strauss is just as much of a threat at the breakdown, and he is always dangerous when he gets the ball in hand and has room for a gap. Strauss is a very smart player, and is very trustworthy in the set-pieces.

4. Rory Best

The Ulster captain has to be one of the most consistent players in international rugby. Ireland’s most capped hooker, Best is one of those players whose work may not always be obvious, but always hugely significant. Best is a master of both the choke tackle and jackalling at the breakdown, and he has won countless turnovers for Ireland by using both methods. Ulster had the best pack in the Pro12 this season (statistically) and Ireland’s lineout is almost always clicking when Best is in the side. With Best operating as another flanker at the breakdown, and his consistency at the set-piece, opposition sides are forced to commit numbers to ruck after ruck, or risk being turned over time and time again.

3. Dylan Hartley

Hartley could probably be higher on this list, but his immaturity means that he is always off the field. Suspension after suspension, ban after ban, we always hear the same rhetoric, he has matured, he’s learned, but then he always goes and shoots himself in the foot again. Undeniably talented, Hartley is always able to fight back into contention for England, but his latest attempt has seen him banned for much of the World Cup, indicating that Stuart Lancaster may have had enough of his shenanigans. If this is the case, it would be a shame, because a player with Hartley’s potential is capable of so much. Stoic at the set piece and a hard worker, Hartley is a great player when he plays, but his theatrics are often just too much to tolerate.

2. Dane Coles

Probably the best athlete on this list, Coles has pace and power in spades, and possesses a step that makes him a danger in space. He might not have the prowess at the breakdown of Andrew Hore or Keven Mealamu, but he has taken the starting spot from them because of his ability to cross the gainline and his exceptional workrate. Coles runs very good angles, and always looks to get his hands free to offload, a talent that has seen him win many fans over the years. Still a youngster, but Coles is fast becoming one of the best players in a dangerous All Blacks side.

1. Bismarck Du Plessis

Du Plessis is, simply put, a beast. He is so big, he plays like a flanker, and puts the Springboks and the Sharks over the gainline every time he touches the ball. Like all South African forwards, his prowess in the scrum and lineout is unparalleled, and his strength adds so much to the already powerful Springbok tight five. In open play, Du Plessis has great hands, loves to put others in space with his good offloading and passing, but when he doesn’t, look out, as it means he is about to lower his shoulder and deliver a shot to his opponent. Du Plessis is immovable once he gets over the ball at the breakdown, and loves to dish out his trademark big tackles. Very much a central part of the side for club and country, Du Plessis has been on fire over the last two years, and he will be a big part of Heyneke Meyer’s plans for World Cup glory.