Watch this superb 50:22 kicked by a hooker.
Everyone LOVES when front-rowers kick the ball. Often underappreciated, many front-rowers can do it all…well almost everything. From making big tackles, hitting rucks, carrying the ball and scrummaging, front-rowers often get through a lot of work in the game. Even more impressively, many front-rowers these days, especially in the pro game, have serious engines, putting in 70, even 80 minute shifts.
The 50:22 is a new law brought in this season, that has generally been perceived well among fans, players and coaches, it rewards teams possession from a lineout after taking the risk to kick in behind the defence. It forces teams to often have at least 2, sometimes even 3 players to cover the backfield due to the threat of conceding a lineout inside your own 22. Because teams are forced to have more players in the backfield, it leaves less players in the defensive line for teams to run the ball if they so choose.
Players such as Dan Carter, Ronan O’Gara and the like would have loved to have the 50:22 law in play when they were at the peak of their careers. However, the 50:22 is not just reserved for outhalves to make use of. Back in October in the opening rounds of the URC, sub Connacht hooker, Shane Delahunt produced this magnificent 50:22 away to Munster.
Connacht hooker Shane Delahunt's 50:22 kick… 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eTHNrH1Vlz
— Murray Kinsella (@Murray_Kinsella) October 20, 2021
Ireland backrow/second row Tadhg Beirne also kicked a sublime 50:22 in the second round of the 2022 Six Nations against France in Paris.
Tadhg Beirne with a 50/22.
Funt-astic. pic.twitter.com/RXuvhUkc5a
— The Loose Head (@TheLooseH) February 12, 2022
However, we got to see another sublime piece of skill coming out of Japan when hooker Shin Kawamura of the Green Rockets kicked this 50:22 against the Shining Arcs in Japan League One. Check it out below.
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