View Full Version : Francois Hougaard is being wasted at scrumhalf!
FibreOptic
11-04-2012, 03:17 PM
Being a Super Rugby fan I cant but help notice that Francois Hougaard is being totally wasted at scrumhalf. He does not have the required accurate kicking game and he lacks the space and time on the ball for his explosive skills to really have an impact on the game. Bulls move him to wing and let him play his natural game like he did when he first came on the scene.
Spizz
11-04-2012, 03:29 PM
Being a Super Rugby fan I cant but help notice that Francois Hougaard is being totally wasted at scrumhalf. He does not have the required accurate kicking game and he lacks the space and time on the ball for his explosive skills to really have an impact on the game. Bulls move him to wing and let him play his natural game like he did when he first came on the scene.
I agree with you to a point because I think the Bulls would be better of with Vermaak at scrum half and Hougaard on the wing. There is no denying he is a real threat and very exciting on the wing where he will score a lot of tries, and Vermaak is wasted on the bench imo. But that would mean playing him out of his preferred position and he'd run the risk of being another Ruan Pienaar or even Lambie at the moment.
Either that or he can come home to CT and play scrum half anytime :whistle:
twicode
11-04-2012, 03:32 PM
Agree. The way he sidestepped Daniel Carter in a Super rugby match a while ago was epic.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo_q9a8liKY
FibreOptic
11-04-2012, 03:35 PM
That video shows exactly why he should be put on the wing.
Spizz
11-04-2012, 03:39 PM
That video shows exactly why he should be put on the wing.
Yep, he is a great talent. But the point is, he won't like it and will look elsewhere for a game at scrum half.
This guy has so much talent. Power, ball sense etc.
He's currently the best scrumhalf in the S15 so I don't think he's wasted in the position. He is a fine wing like you're saying, but he's also a fine outside center. He has previously played one game @13 in the Currie Cup and was outstanding. I'm sure he can fit in any position in the backline.
KOPITE
11-04-2012, 10:18 PM
being wasted at the bulls
RedWill
11-04-2012, 10:33 PM
Think he would rather prefer to be first choice scrumhalf for the Boks (depending if Fourie doesn't return) than sitting on the bench as an impact player.
Though he is much more explosive at wing.
Devill
12-04-2012, 07:10 PM
I agree with you to a point because I think the Bulls would be better of with Vermaak at scrum half and Hougaard on the wing. There is no denying he is a real threat and very exciting on the wing where he will score a lot of tries, and Vermaak is wasted on the bench imo. But that would mean playing him out of his preferred position and he'd run the risk of being another Ruan Pienaar or even Lambie at the moment.
Either that or he can come home to CT and play scrum half anytime :whistle:
I think he will return to the Cape in the next 3 - 4 years.
being wasted at the bulls
Haha, where do you think he should play his rugby?
@ OP:
I think that at scrumhalf he keeps the defence honest and causes the defending team to leave greater gaps along the line.
Also his kicking isn't bad but it is not an inform Fourie's.
As said in this thread already, I think he could play in almost any position in the back line and would myself love to see him slot in at no. 10 for a run (think Brent Russel a few years ago).
I am however not in favour of messing him about too much by having him play in three different positions.
VJB 449
16-04-2012, 10:07 AM
I think he should play where he wants to play: scrumhalf.
Lament
16-04-2012, 10:20 AM
Personally I think he is one of the best scrummies we have, you can’t compare him to Fourie, he was a different type of scrum half, Fourie loved his tactical kicking but was not as explosive as Hougaard, but Hougaard does not need to kick that much, he has Steyn and Zane behind him.
Fourie did not have the speed Hougaard has nor the tackling ability or power, Saturday 3 guys was hanging on him and he still made the try, that was freaking amazing!!, I tend to think you can play Hougaard 9,11,12,13 and 14 and he will do wonders!!!
I do however feel for Vermaak, he has the talent to play 1st choice Scrumhalf for any other province besides the Bulls…
Lament
16-04-2012, 10:26 AM
Off topic
But how good was CJ Stander and Potgieter this weekend, WOW, I can’t see how Stegman and Dewald Potgieter will start again this year!!
Beginning of the competition we all though the bulls might end bottom of the log, hats off to whoever at the bulls does the talent scouting, each province should have one of you!!
GreGorGy
16-04-2012, 06:18 PM
Off topic
But how good was CJ Stander and Potgieter this weekend, WOW, I can’t see how Stegman and Dewald Potgieter will start again this year!!
Beginning of the competition we all though the bulls might end bottom of the log, hats off to whoever at the bulls does the talent scouting, each province should have one of you!!
I have never been happier to be wrong.
And back to topic: if I am not mistaken, Hougie did in fact start his pro career at scrummie...
Devill
17-04-2012, 03:44 PM
I do however feel for Vermaak, he has the talent to play 1st choice Scrumhalf for any other province besides the Bulls…
I agree, it is however nice for the Bulls to have him as we do not have no other great talent if something was to happen to Hougie and Vermaak.
Beginning of the competition we all though the bulls might end bottom of the log, hats off to whoever at the bulls does the talent scouting, each province should have one of you!!
I know Meyer had a lot to do with the structures and his last position at the Bulls was as "overseer" of all things for the future. :D
I have never been happier to be wrong.
And back to topic: if I am not mistaken, Hougie did in fact start his pro career at scrummie...
+1, as far as I know he did.
I really think that pound for pound he is the strongest player in SA.
Can't we clone him slightly bigger then we can play the clone as a flanker. :D
sand_man
17-04-2012, 03:50 PM
Wings playing for the Bulls hardly ever see the ball. Notice how little we see of Basson these days. Hougaard would be lost on the wing. I'm quite happy seeing him regularly in the action playing at 9...
Ekstasis
17-04-2012, 03:54 PM
Wings playing for the Bulls hardly ever see the ball. Notice how little we see of Basson these days. Hougaard would be lost on the wing. I'm quite happy seeing him regularly in the action playing at 9...I agree with this, but I think they should first speak to the team gynecologist (I hear the team doctor was recently fired):p
Devill
17-04-2012, 04:31 PM
Wings playing for the Bulls hardly ever see the ball. Notice how little we see of Basson these days. Hougaard would be lost on the wing. I'm quite happy seeing him regularly in the action playing at 9...
That is just because Griekwas' game plan was: "Pass to Basson". :p
Ho3n3r
10-05-2012, 03:42 PM
I have never been happier to be wrong.
And back to topic: if I am not mistaken, Hougie did in fact start his pro career at scrummie...
Yes, 2008 vs Highlanders was his Super debut. At scrummy. Had a brilliant match off the bench.
Wings playing for the Bulls hardly ever see the ball. Notice how little we see of Basson these days. Hougaard would be lost on the wing. I'm quite happy seeing him regularly in the action playing at 9...
Really? You must be watching a different tournament than me.