Zoom zoom - who's the fastest Lion?

While not always the most important aspect of a rugby player, speed is still a HUGE asset

So who is the fastest forward in the lions squad?

who is the fastest back?

How do they compare to the Ozzies?

I hear that Maitland can do the 100m in 10.8 apparently - which is seriously quick

i would guess at Croft, Tipuric and Youngs as forwards...

I know 1/2p is seriously quick in a straight line (although if he has to go round a track he'll probably slip) and Hogg is quick isn't he? Maitland would be my guess as he has an athletics background doesn't he?

Its something I wopuld love to know but never appears in the stats. 40 m time is more indicative that 100 m as well - some of those big guys will run out of steam trying to run 100m.

Youngs in the forwards?

Hogg in the backs would be my guess

From what I've read about players stats in the past, and this is all with a pinch of salt, Halfpenny would have the quickest acceleration among the backs, whether he can maintain that over 100m is a different question.

But something tells me Maitland is probably quicker.

The one who always made me laugh from a few years ago was Gavin Hastings - a fair turn of speed but took ages to accelerate to that speed and had the tuning circle of an oil tanker.

Didn't Gatland mention something about Maitland's 100m time? Think it was sub 11 maybe, which on the face of it isn't that fast, but certainly quick enough for a wing.

I think it must be Tipuric from the pack.

Ive talked about it for a while now, I would love to see a combine testing facility for sportsmen in the UK.

Imagine a charity event to find who could go the 100m quickest, who could deadlift the most, Sumo wrestling comp, long and high jump etc...

It would make great TV and command an audience!

do you not remember superstars? Tried to resurrect it a few years ago as well but it didn't do well.

Nope!

I did see a 100m Super race on youtube of rugby players.

Of the forwards, possible of everyone would have to be Croft. Youngs probably has the acceleration but not the top speed.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/tv_and_radio/superstars/3091096.stm

Gatland, who said he picked his fellow New Zealander for Waikato as a schoolboy, was impressed by his pedigree.

"He's a sub-11 seconds 100m man, he's a good footballer and makes good decisions in defence," he said. "We've been impressed with what we saw in the Six Nations."

I gather it's 10.8 off google. Not too shabby

the only thing I can find for Hogg is 3.8 seconds 30 m

TJ wrote:do you not remember superstars? Tried to resurrect it a few years ago as well but it didn't do well.

Anyone remember Austin Healy blowing Martin Offiah away in the 100metres. In fairness Healy was in his pomp and Offiah was well into his 30's....

TJ wrote:the only thing I can find for Hogg is 3.8 seconds 30 m

That is pretty sharp, but all my testing is over 5m, 10m, and 40m so an estimated quick 30 IMHO.

Monye was always very quick, and he was a 10.4 sprinter wasn't he?

Also I've seen 1/2p and Shanes Williams results (of a few years ago now) as 11 seconds or so, I think Shane dipped under 11 in his hay day.

TJ wrote:The one who always made me laugh from a few years ago was Gavin Hastings - a fair turn of speed but took ages to accelerate to that speed and had the tuning circle of an oil tanker.

I think you just upset a few oil tankers

Zebo if he is drafted in is up there as one of the fastest with a 11.1 100m.

Apparently in Maitland's first week at Glasgow he comfortably beat the existing speed test times for the squad - and they have some seriously quick players in Hogg and DTH.

So I think it would be Maitland for anything over 40m, Hogg or 1/2P for anything under 40m.

Not sure about actual times, but I know Foxy is very fast, even though he looks sluggish. And North can be exceptionally nippy, but doesn't show it too often.

I think Ashton is the quickest... to make the headlines.

Hogg to me has a Michael Johnson play station kind of running style that looks as though he's not moving but really he is. I'd go for him and Tipuric in the pack.

kiakahaaotearoa wrote:I think Ashton is the quickest... to make the headlines.

Hogg to me has a Michael Johnson play station kind of running style that looks as though he's not moving but really he is. I'd go for him and Tipuric in the pack.

Ashton does haev some serious pace over a distance as well. Pity his ability to actually play rugby seems to have deserted him...

Agree re Hogg - I've said similar in the past about Christian Cullen. Both have such smooth running styles that the don't look to be really shifting until you compare how well they cover the ground by comparison with the (attempted) defenders. Not saying Hogg is as quick and definitely not as powerful as CC, but I see a similarity in style.

There is some footage of North on You Tube doing 40m sprints. Not a lot of people know this (or maybe they do) but Rory Underwood was quicker over 40 than Carl Lewis.

If someone fancies doing some maths (and is really bored) you could get Hogg’s interception try against Italy off Youtube, judge the distance he ran (around 80m I think) and look at the clock to see how quickly he ran it in. That would be a good indicator!

RDW_Scotland wrote:If someone fancies doing some maths (and is really bored) you could get Hogg’s interception try against Italy off Youtube, judge the distance he ran (around 80m I think) and look at the clock to see how quickly he ran it in. That would be a good indicator!

11.5 seconds or so to do 90 m or so - and he was easing down the last 20 m or more - but how long is the pitch - rugby pitches vary in length - I think its longer than 100m
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eNokIEJjI4

Definitely longer than 100 m the running track is shorter than try line to try line

dragonbreath wrote:There is some footage of North on You Tube doing 40m sprints. Not a lot of people know this (or maybe they do) but Rory Underwood was quicker over 40 than Carl Lewis.

Daley Thompson suggested that Rory should try decathlon (though he was probably too short). He was strong at athletics as a kid - winning North of England titles in shot putt and long jump (as well as sprinting of course). Tony was actually quicker though.

Tom Croft is the quickest player at Tigers - and seeing how Tipuric did not seem any quicker than his opposite number at WR this season must stand a chance of being quicker than hime.



(ps Thomas Waldrom played at 7 in that match opposite Tipuric !!!)

dragonbreath wrote:There is some footage of North on You Tube doing 40m sprints. Not a lot of people know this (or maybe they do) but Rory Underwood was quicker over 40 than Carl Lewis.

Carl Lewis would have been that fast too if he had Jonah Lomu chasing him.

LondonTiger wrote:

dragonbreath wrote:There is some footage of North on You Tube doing 40m sprints. Not a lot of people know this (or maybe they do) but Rory Underwood was quicker over 40 than Carl Lewis.

Daley Thompson suggested that Rory should try decathlon (though he was probably too short). He was strong at athletics as a kid - winning North of England titles in shot putt and long jump (as well as sprinting of course). Tony was actually quicker though.

Tom Croft is the quickest player at Tigers - and seeing how Tipuric did not seem any quicker than his opposite number at WR this season must stand a chance of being quicker than hime.



(ps Thomas Waldrom played at 7 in that match opposite Tipuric !!!)

Well what we do know is that he is quicker than Barratt

thebluesmancometh wrote:Ive talked about it for a while now, I would love to see a combine testing facility for sportsmen in the UK.

Imagine a charity event to find who could go the 100m quickest, who could deadlift the most, Sumo wrestling comp, long and high jump etc...

It would make great TV and command an audience!

I suppose the CrossFit games is the closest you'll get in terms of finding "all rounders"

To the dinner table???? Adam Jones easy.

Outright speed isn't really important unless you're in a foot race.

Its acceleration which is the be all and end all.... why in American football they judge players 40m dash rather than 100m.

Guys like Ben Youngs, Justin Tipuric & Brian O'Driscoll have great pace off the bat... in rugby terms at least. They may not be as good as say Croft over long distances but thats not really important in rugby.

Most of the times people give (i.e. Maitland running 10.8 in school, so and so running in their socks and on grass etc etc) are not very reliable. They're hand timed which are often inaccurate. Not saying these guys couldn't reach these times but you have to take it with a pinch of salt.

I know Monye was a youth sprinter so his times are probably reliable.

In SA the new wonder kid Sergeal Pietersen is easily the fastest man in SA, SR and probably world rugby... and he's only 18. He was also a youth sprinter but his times are credible as they were recorded at official events and he has a IAAF listing... 10.55 aged 16. That would be enough to get him into a world junior 100m final when most guys are a few years older.
Perhaps on the small side for rugby mind so its not certain he will make it to the very top and he will slow down as he bulks up. He hasn't much of a step which all the little dudes need (Robinson,Williams, Aplon etc). Still scored quite a few tries this year.

Pace isnt everything. Bowe isnt particularly fast but he is a bloody good winger.

Cuthbert has some pace, North isn't the fastest but once he hits hits top speed I wouldn't wanty to try and stop him from the front.

Warbs and Tips are nippy for back rowers too.

Henson alsways looked liek he was jogging but had some pace on him (same as JD2)

GunsGerms wrote:Pace isnt everything

Exactly, as anyone who watched Dwayne Chambers play league will surely know....

Cuthbert is very quick especially for such a massive player

Roberts is always said to be in the top 3 fastest in the Wales squad - not that we have ever seen it used.

There was that 40m try of his v Italy last 6 nations - was pretty darn nippy

Deano wasn't remotely fast.

But even in a straight line he'd find a short cut.

I used to play club rugby in London and often faced London Nigerian... now those boys were greyhounds... pure speed.
But you could always combat their pace by cutting down their space, never gave them the outside break, continualy forcing them inside, making it a tight game etc... one of their chaps inevitably often did a 50m run for a try though.

Top teams will do individual player analysis though, something we didn't have.... at best we would recall a few of the chaps from before and earmark them... in the pro game I'm sure there are a number of things to nullify a players pace... at least some of the time.

Can't run without legs- none of this going in chest high rubbish.

Only time I've seen North stopped full pelt are try saving ankle taps, same as Sam on Manu.

that mogg fella for the brumbies is seriously quick. bumbles along like chris latham but has serious gas.

maitland is fast but needs somebody to create the space for him. from what i have seen he is pacy strong and direct but does not have a step. not much contrast in styles amongst the lions wingers.

gilroys sidestep on hard ground could have been an asset likewise zebo or christian wade could have added something different

Does anyone know how quick Piet Van Zyl is? He looks lightning in this clip

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=zxtY2-uA9aY#t=8s

Dublin dave maitland has more than just pace - lovely hands dummies and steps and offloads

After watching Croft accelerate away for his astonishing try yesterday I would have to plump for him as the fastest Lion Forward. He would actually make Winger in some teams!

Metal Tiger wrote:After watching Croft accelerate away for his astonishing try yesterday I would have to plump for him as the fastest Lion Forward. He would actually make Winger in some teams!

I would like to see Tipuric race Croft

I prefer my flankers to tackle. jackal and carry rather than out of position on the wing

wales606 wrote:

Metal Tiger wrote:After watching Croft accelerate away for his astonishing try yesterday I would have to plump for him as the fastest Lion Forward. He would actually make Winger in some teams!

I would like to see Tipuric race Croft

I dont know for sure but would guess that, over a short distance (e.g. 30m or less) Tipuric might have a chance. Anything further he'd be left for dead.

i have said this on here before, imagine the USA olympic sevens team with ngwenya and isles both can run 100 meters in under 10.5. that is seriously quick just a shame they dont have the skills of others. I dont think hogg is as quick as he used to be but he is still up there with the quickest in the lions squad. Ben youngs also looks very fast

CraigS1874 wrote:i have said this on here before, imagine the USA olympic sevens team with ngwenya and isles both can run 100 meters in under 10.5. that is seriously quick just a shame they dont have the skills of others. I dont think hogg is as quick as he used to be but he is still up there with the quickest in the lions squad. Ben youngs also looks very fast

Wales can have Cuthbert and North...wouldn't have to outpace anyone - with Tipuric at the breakdown.

I would love to see some regional 7s or something.

wales606 wrote:

CraigS1874 wrote:i have said this on here before, imagine the USA olympic sevens team with ngwenya and isles both can run 100 meters in under 10.5. that is seriously quick just a shame they dont have the skills of others. I dont think hogg is as quick as he used to be but he is still up there with the quickest in the lions squad. Ben youngs also looks very fast

Wales can have Cuthbert and North...wouldn't have to outpace anyone - with Tipuric at the breakdown.

I would love to see some regional 7s or something.

point taken, yeah same with the defences now being so strong(15s) sevens would be able to showcase different skills.

CraigS1874 wrote:

wales606 wrote:

CraigS1874 wrote:i have said this on here before, imagine the USA olympic sevens team with ngwenya and isles both can run 100 meters in under 10.5. that is seriously quick just a shame they dont have the skills of others. I dont think hogg is as quick as he used to be but he is still up there with the quickest in the lions squad. Ben youngs also looks very fast

Wales can have Cuthbert and North...wouldn't have to outpace anyone - with Tipuric at the breakdown.

I would love to see some regional 7s or something.

point taken, yeah same with the defences now being so strong(15s) sevens would be able to showcase different skills.

The players would really benefit - JD2 could certainly use the passing practice for example.

munkian wrote:I prefer my flankers to tackle. jackal and carry rather than out of position on the wing

Croft is playing brilliantly at the moment. Why do you have to dredge up this out-of-date-not-true-anyway crud?

Because hes being brought up in a thread about speed ?...