Zondagh not convinced by hybrid hype

The rise of rugby’s so-called “hybrid player” continues to divide opinion, and former Bulls and Saracens director of rugby Alan Zondagh is not buying it.

With England deploying loose forwards Henry Pollock and Ben Earl in the backline against Wales at Twickenham, and the Springboks often using Andre Esterhuizen as the poster boy for versatility, the trend is gaining traction.

But Zondagh is unconvinced.

“If you have a Kwagga Smith or Andre Esterhuizen on the bench and you pick up injuries in the wrong positions, those versatile players are valuable,” he told Netwerk24.

“However, to move someone like Esterhuizen to flank in place of a specialist flank doesn’t completely make sense to me.

“A specialist will always be better in his position than a hybrid player. For example, a team won’t gain a tactical advantage by shifting a flank or any forward to wing in Cheslin Kolbe’s place.”

ALSO: Esterhuizen embraces hybrid role

Zondagh’s take is clear.

“My philosophy has always been: all players for all positions – meaning every player on the field should have the skills of the guy next to him.

“I am still not convinced about the role of a hybrid player. To say it is a success based on Esterhuizen scoring a maul try is slightly misplaced.

“If it was a good maul, the hooker or any other player would have scored.”

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