forwards and backs

Question
hi nick,

I am 17 and i have been playing rugby for about six years in my school in Argentina, always on the front row, this year i had the privilege of being chosen for the first  XV team, which was quite an honor. It may sound a bit ridiculous, but I sometimes feel that forwards do not much credit for the work they put in to the game, and that more credit goes to the backs. How do you feel about this (being a forward yourself)? do you think it happens everywhere or is it something cultural?

Answer
It is a rugby culture thing.

People usually put energy into what they know from their own experience or what they see. In other words: "people's perspectives are dictated by their perspective"

People have usually either played in the forwards or in the backs. They only really know what they know from their own experience so backs favor backs and forwards favor forwards.

Spectators who have never play only see the obvious which is usually the backs.

The true rugby connoisseur understands that both factors are equally important.

A good prop in my opinion) should never expect to much in the way of obvious recognition from backs or spectators or even other forwards. The position of pillar is not one of great flash. To play prop you must love it and set your own high standards and goals.

Only you will know how good or hard the other prop you go against is so only you can tell yourself how well you are going. It is not like a winger out running another player for all to see.

You just play your own game. Set your own goals to beat and keep working to improve your own skills and game knowledge.

Be a prop with great scrumming, ball skills, fitness, game knowledge and a strong character and you will be more valuable to your team as a whole. If someone talks down to you or puts down forwards and props just smile at them and remind yourself that they are just trying to make up for what they don't know by talking like that.

Learn about back line strategy - drift defense, tactical kicking, running lines and learn to understand back play so you can talk from a place of knowledge not from a place of ignorance.