RugbyRebels

This is why we’re all buzzing about young Alfie Barbeary.

Yes he is wearing 13 a lot, although he actually plays 12, they just don’t have a 12 shirt to fit him!!

Future is without a doubt at hooker, but he’s a rather versatile chap.

Epaminondas Pules wrote:This is why we’re all buzzing about young Alfie Barbeary.

Yes he is wearing 13 a lot, although he actually plays 12, they just don’t have a 12 shirt to fit him!!

Future is without a doubt at hooker, but he’s a rather versatile chap.

How tall is he?

There are a couple of ball transfers to the right hand in there so I'll not abandon hope yet

Always weary of hyping up U18 too much just yet.

Certainly looks the complete package.

Tigersman wrote:Always weary of hyping up U18 too much just yet.

Certainly looks the complete package.

Sounds about right. I did get a little carried away with Itoje as a junior, but I really couldn't see how he wasn't going to become a top flight player

I don't mean to dismiss him entirely, but it just looks like he's playing with a much younger age group. Either he is going to be an enormous adult, or he is basically fully grown already and might not be such a force when others catch up.

Mikey Brown wrote:I don't mean to dismiss him entirely, but it just looks like he's playing with a much younger age group. Either he is going to be an enormous adult, or he is basically fully grown already and might not be such a force when others catch up.

That's partly why I asked how tall he is, but also whether if he keeps growing he will be able to be a hooker

Mikey Brown wrote:I don't mean to dismiss him entirely, but it just looks like he's playing with a much younger age group. Either he is going to be an enormous adult, or he is basically fully grown already and might not be such a force when others catch up.

I agree re. some of the schools footage, but he looks equally dominant against the international age-grade sides which is probably a fairer comparison to other elite players of his age.

Even if others catch-up physically, he’s clearly not going to be undersized and I’m more encouraged by the more instinctive side of his game. He just looks like he was born to play rugby.

Banquo wrote:

Epaminondas Pules wrote:This is why we’re all buzzing about young Alfie Barbeary.

Yes he is wearing 13 a lot, although he actually plays 12, they just don’t have a 12 shirt to fit him!!

Future is without a doubt at hooker, but he’s a rather versatile chap.

How tall is he?

6’2” if memory serves.

Mikey Brown wrote:I don't mean to dismiss him entirely, but it just looks like he's playing with a much younger age group. Either he is going to be an enormous adult, or he is basically fully grown already and might not be such a force when others catch up.

It’s all same age group. In the international footage he’s actually 17. If you look at the international packs at U18 level then they are all pretty similar size in terms of physical maturity.

Scrumhead wrote:

Mikey Brown wrote:I don't mean to dismiss him entirely, but it just looks like he's playing with a much younger age group. Either he is going to be an enormous adult, or he is basically fully grown already and might not be such a force when others catch up.

I agree re. some of the schools footage, but he looks equally dominant against the international age-grade sides which is probably a fairer comparison to other elite players of his age.

Even if others catch-up physically, he’s clearly not going to be undersized and I’m more encouraged by the more instinctive side of his game. He just looks like he was born to play rugby.

Certainly does. I’ve not seen a player so dominant (not just physically) at this level before and that includes both Itoje and Watson.

Epaminondas Pules wrote:

Banquo wrote:

Epaminondas Pules wrote:This is why we’re all buzzing about young Alfie Barbeary.

Yes he is wearing 13 a lot, although he actually plays 12, they just don’t have a 12 shirt to fit him!!

Future is without a doubt at hooker, but he’s a rather versatile chap.

How tall is he?

6’2” if memory serves.

On the edge for a hooker, assuming he doesn't have much growing to do,

Banquo wrote:

Epaminondas Pules wrote:

Banquo wrote: How tall is he?

6’2” if memory serves.

On the edge for a hooker, assuming he doesn't have much growing to do,

I’d say height wise he’s done growing.

Although he only got 10 minutes, he seemed to do similar things at the end of the u20s England vs Scotland game. The plate final he played in yesterday is available on youtube. Playing 12, throwing in at the lineout. He was 2 levels above anyone else on the pitch.

If he is as good as he looks ball in hand, would the backrow not be the natural place for him? Otherwise he gets bogged down on scrummaging and questions over the lineout.

Basing this on 2 mins of highlights!!

Cameo wrote:If he is as good as he looks ball in hand, would the backrow not be the natural place for him? Otherwise he gets bogged down on scrummaging and questions over the lineout.

Basing this on 2 mins of highlights!!

His lineout is very good, especially considering how little they practice compared to full time pros.

Some of the school footage is brutal... horrendous to think of your son being flattened by this unit.

This lad still qualifies for the U18's I think. He does look a tremendous prospect who has attracted a lot of interest.

Apparently Sam Riley at Quins is another very good, mobile hooker to keep an eye on.

Can we see a precocious SH come through very soon please.

fivepointer wrote: Can we see a precocious SH come through very soon please.

This is literally all I care (ha) about right now. SH production here is pathetic. We can argue about 12s and perhaps 15s later

fivepointer wrote:This lad still qualifies for the U18's I think. He does look a tremendous prospect who has attracted a lot of interest.

Apparently Sam Riley at Quins is another very good, mobile hooker to keep an eye on.

Can we see a precocious SH come through very soon please.

Riley is another serious talent. His only problem is being a hooker at the same time as Barbeary. Two seriously good young players.

And yes to someone earlier who mentioned Barbeary still being U18. He is indeed. Still at school.

If Barbeary goes upto u20s for the jrwc, then Riley will have a chance to at least play a good amount for the u18s over the summer.

Raggs wrote:If Barbeary goes upto u20s for the jrwc, then Riley will have a chance to at least play a good amount for the u18s over the summer.

We’ve changed our model in that we take our U17 squad to S.A. as a precursor to them being senior U18 players come September. Riley went last year so is unlikely to go this year.

Epaminondas Pules wrote:

Raggs wrote:If Barbeary goes upto u20s for the jrwc, then Riley will have a chance to at least play a good amount for the u18s over the summer.

We’ve changed our model in that we take our U17 squad to S.A. as a precursor to them being senior U18 players come September. Riley went last year so is unlikely to go this year.

You're right, I'd forgotten that.

We did the same last year right?

Raggs wrote:

Epaminondas Pules wrote:

Raggs wrote:If Barbeary goes upto u20s for the jrwc, then Riley will have a chance to at least play a good amount for the u18s over the summer.

We’ve changed our model in that we take our U17 squad to S.A. as a precursor to them being senior U18 players come September. Riley went last year so is unlikely to go this year.

You're right, I'd forgotten that.

We did the same last year right?

Yeah. The view was it helps the newly eligible U18’s integrate and gives the graduating U18’s a full pre-season with their clubs.

Jury is out