Do you think Sebastien Chabal is a natural number 8??

Question

I personally prefered watching the french monster at openside flanker as his got far too much talent to be playing lock or number 8. Dont get me wrong, 2nd row, blind side and number 8 are hard positions to play but for a man of his speed, strength and general aggression on the pitch surely he would be put to better use getting in the oppositions faces as much as possible and being a constant threat to the fly half. I understand the man is often 'overrated' but hes still a h**l of a player and dam effective on his day. I believe he's a number 7 and wouldn't be able to hang out so often in the back line as he's often critisised for if he was playing openside as it is such a demanding role and 100% alertness is required at all times.

Im interested in hearing what other people think on the subject

Answer 1

His workrate is not anywhere near high enough to be an openside flanker (7). Not in the Premiership, let alone at international level. Sure he's big strong and aggressive, and  someone who can destroy a team's defence and confidence, but he's best suited where he can do that when he feels like it. Which is what he does. And normally it's when others up front are doing the work to free him up. ie Sheridan and his big mates at Sale. If you watch him for a long period of time, he has large amounts of inactivity. Therefore I don't think 6 or 7 suits him, whereas at 8 there is more of a "roving commission". I don't believe he'd be any use in the backs other than to gain ground off first-phase attack.

Answer 2

no. 8, flanker, lock, he's good in all those positions, i prefer him in no. 8 where he's a bit more mobile.

either way he's a natural beast

Answer 3

Agree he has some major talent, but the question out there is he maybe taking performance enhancing drugs.

Answer 4

that's stupid, you're wasting his main attribute at seven - ball carrying.he's not much good at anything else.he gets more opportunities to carry at 8, while if he was at 8 all he'd do would be hitting rucks all day.this aside, he doesn't have the stamina or pace required to play 7.a seven has to be able to keep up with backs for the whole game.chabal was mainly used by france as a second-row impact sub in the wc which gives an indication of his relatively poor stamina.he is however, explosivley good for a maximum of 50 minutes at eight or second-row.if he was a 7, he'd only be at his best for 20 minutes and would get less opportunities to show it

Answer 5

I think he is more of an impact player. Bring him on when the oppostion is tiring. That would be the only way to get any real use out of him.

Answer 6

A good number 8, but not great. Runs far too high.

Not a number 7... maybe 6.

He's wasted in at lock.

Answer 7

i personally think he should play blindside flanker

i don't think he has enough speed but his aggression is awesome

No. 8 and openside flanker would also be good

just not in lock, he is not tall enough and is wasted there as well

Answer 8

i would like to see him play in the centres for a while but i think he is best suited at no6/no7 and not an 8