Alfie Barbaery - but not as you know him...

[Raggs]

Lining up in the schools plate final (15.40 kickoff)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qweromUb01Q

Why not as you know him? He's lining up at 13...

[jamestaylor002]

I wonder what the rationale is.
I've seen this sort of cross-over before in Tom Youngs, albeit a poor comparison IMO. I wonder where the cross-over lies? Because I see the front row as a niche, specialist area of play.

[Raggs]

Hooker requires specialist skills a centre wouldn't have, but there's not as many skills that a centre uses that wouldn't help a hooker. Dane Coles for instance.

There are specialist positions for set piece, but in open play its a lot more fluid.

Also, if they have another decent hooker, I'd hate to be the back trying to stop alfie in space.

[jamestaylor002]

Hooker requires specialist skills a centre wouldn't have, but there's not as many skills that a centre uses that wouldn't help a hooker. Dane Coles for instance.

There are specialist positions for set piece, but in open play its a lot more fluid.

Also, if they have another decent hooker, I'd hate to be the back trying to stop alfie in space.

Point taken - thanks! I suppose that's what we are seeing more and more with the likes of Jamie George being selected over Dylan Hartley for England I suppose?

[Raggs]

When England have Mako and Sink playing, opposition defences are panicking. They cannot risk moving off as these are powerful carriers, but at the same time they are very capable of popping it out one or passing in behind, so defenders can't commit too early either. The more skilled a powerful forward is, the better their carrying in my view, as defenders cannot simply all jump on them.

[Raggs]

Now the stream has started, it has him in the 22 shirt...

[Raggs]

Well, looks like youtube teamsheet is wrong, he's definitely in the 13 shirt. What a first carry!

[jamestaylor002]

Missed the first 3 1/2 minutes, but will definitely try and watch from now.

[jamestaylor002]

I have just noticed a nifty carry by him and he seemed to be able to put a defender on their backside. He's playing for Bloxham?

[Raggs]

Yep, Bloxham 13.

[jamestaylor002]

That rolling maul was a thing of beauty, nicely finished off by Alfie

[Raggs]

Playing 13, throwing in the lineouts and on the back of the maul. He's simply on another level compared to anyone else on the pitch.

[jamestaylor002]

Playing 13, throwing in the lineouts and on the back of the maul. He's simply on another level compared to anyone else on the pitch.

Absolutely, being part of the Wasps academy certainly looks to be doing good for him. It was also good to see proper communication between ref and touch judge a moment ago.

[jamestaylor002]

Gets MoM too 

[southamwasp]

good game to watch, Barbeary looks v useful, quite large specimen for one so young. Im sure when i was that age our games would last about 4hours not 70 mins.