Can Black men play half back

[Pride & Heritage]

Surely it's only the same as asking how many good white heavyweight boxers have people seen since Henry Cooper?

If that's racist then I'm a dutchmen!!!!

[Robin Evans]

and I'm assuming you don't go around plugging leaks with your finger and you're NOT called Johan van der Spliff!!

[HaroldShand]

My memories of him at Batley are of him playing centre and stand-off.

He might have filled in at 6 due to a severe injury crisis on a single occasion, but he definitely wasn't a stand-off! Wing or centre were the positions he filled for us.

[jamescolin]

He might have filled in at 6 due to a severe injury crisis on a single occasion, but he definitely wasn't a stand-off! Wing or centre were the positions he filled for us.

In my opinion with Eastmond getting the St Helens number 7 shirt that is proof enough. To say that Pryce is not a standoff is wearing blinkers. Wigan scrum half is black. We also have in addition to Samoa, PNG, Fiji, Cook Islands and the Maori team all with scrum halfs and stabd offs, a team starting in Jamaica. Starting or beginng is the operative word. Our friendly Jamacian may not know a lot about RL and may be making a hasty judgement on the few games he has seen. Carl Gibsob was a good player irrespective of where he played. The fact is he played stand off. If he played in other positions bec ause the team had gaps there only shows he had versitility, making him an even better player. Finally it seems there is someone hovering to take offence at every conceivable opportunity. What a sad person in a country where we fought two world wars for freedom of speech. There have been no degrading statements and some very positive ones about black players. Jimmy Russel was a good scrum half in spite of his bow legs. Now I expect the Bow legged PC brigade to be sending messages of objection.

[HaroldShand]

In my opinion with Eastmond getting the St Helens number 7 shirt that is proof enough. To say that Pryce is not a standoff is wearing blinkers. Wigan scrum half is black. We also have in addition to Samoa, PNG, Fiji, Cook Islands and the Maori team all with scrum halfs and stabd offs, a team starting in Jamaica. Starting or beginng is the operative word. Our friendly Jamacian may not know a lot about RL and may be making a hasty judgement on the few games he has seen. Carl Gibsob was a good player irrespective of where he played. The fact is he played stand off. If he played in other positions bec ause the team had gaps there only shows he had versitility, making him an even better player. Finally it seems there is someone hovering to take offence at every conceivable opportunity. What a sad person in a country where we fought two world wars for freedom of speech. There have been no degrading statements and some very positive ones about black players. Jimmy Russel was a good scrum half in spite of his bow legs. Now I expect the Bow legged PC brigade to be sending messages of objection.

I'm not quibbling about the nature of this topic, I'm questioning whether or not Carl Gibson was a stand-off, because I never EVER remember him playing there.

Did he ever play stand-off for Fev?

[Robin Evans]

Carl Gibsob was a good player irrespective of where he played. The fact is he played stand off

Aye he did Colin, and a blindingly good player and all round nice bloke he was/is. But his better and most effective positions were arguably centre or Full Back. Subjective is the debate.

[jamescolin]

Aye he did Colin, and a blindingly good player and all round nice bloke he was/is. But his better and most effective positions were arguably centre or Full Back. Subjective is the debate.

Yes Robin-you are right. But the question was- 'Can Black Men play half back.' In view of the evidence the answer has to be -yes- The question wasn't was he better at centre or wing. If any player has played half back well and is black then irrespective of how well he played in other positions the answer to the question has to be in the affirmative. The fact that he played in other positions just confirms how good he was or is. The same goes for white players. John Newlove played centre as well as stand off. The fact that he played in another position doesn't make him a player that can't play half back.

[HaroldShand]

I'm still not convinced at all that Carl Gibson ever played stand-off. Can anyone provide any evidence that he actually did?

[jamescolin]

I'm still not convinced at all that Carl Gibson ever played stand-off. Can anyone provide any evidence that he actually did?

If that is the question and not the one the thread was about then you have had an answer from a Batley fan. Yes he regularly played at stand off. If you are asking about Rovers then he did not play regularly at stand off although he might have had the odd game there. If we go back to the main thread then Gibson was a stand off with Batley and as such qualifies in the terms of the question along with others. Therefore black men have played at half back, can play at half back, and the question is answered.

[Trojan]

I must admit I don't remember Carl every playing 6 for us - only for Batley, however Pryce when he can be bothered is an excellent no 6. In September 1984 Fev played Bradford at Odsal in a midweek evening game. Hanley played 6 for Bradford, they won 27-10 - Hanley scored 17 points - effectively winning the game for them. Does that answer the question?

[bulldogtrev]

I must admit I don't remember Carl every playing 6 for us - only for Batley, however Pryce when he can be bothered is an excellent no 6. In September 1984 Fev played Bradford at Odsal in a midweek evening game. Hanley played 6 for Bradford, they won 27-10 - Hanley scored 17 points - effectively winning the game for them. Does that answer the question?

I watched Batley when Carl Gibson played and he regularly played centre/winger before being transferred to Leeds. He was not a stand off if he played there it would have been due to an injury crisis.

Benji Marshall and Frano Botica are other examples of black men playing at stand off.

[Bob Fowler]

Let's face it, any person whether Black, White Orane or purple can play in any position if he has the talent. Even Jason Robinson turned out a couple of times for Wigan at half back, it doesn't matter what is on the outside it's what's in the inside that matters and that is how I judge a player. So long as he has heart, skill and always does his best, he'll do for me .

[Trojan]

Let's face it, any person whether Black, White Orane or purple can play in any position if he has the talent. Even Jason Robinson turned out a couple of times for Wigan at half back, it doesn't matter what is on the outside it's what's in the inside that matters and that is how I judge a player. So long as he has heart, skill and always does his best, he'll do for me .

TBH I would have said halfback was Jason Robinson's natural position, given his jinking running style.

[rover n out]

what about ben black ?? he's an half-back :huh:

[Tex Evans Thigh]

There are clearly genetic differences between races which account for various sporting specialisms. As people have mentioned black people almost dominate sports such as sprinting and heavyweight boxing. Pacific Islanders would appear to be natural rugby players, whereas I would back a chinese rugby team with bad money. i assume Sri Lanka wouldnt put out a competitive RL team but I doubt a tongan 11 would fair that well over 5 days with bat and ball.

Pardon the pun but I dont think its as black and white as 'can black men play half back' of course anyone can play anywhere but will they excel. In my view black athletes are generally more suited to power and athletic aspects of sport which in RL terms translates to outside backs/possibly back row. This is obviously not always the case and people like Leon Pryce and Kyle Eastmond will show next season that you can indeed have very good black half backs.

Overall I would say that you are more likely to have white players playing half back but this is never going to be exclusive.

One other thing - would Benji Marshall be classed as black? I suppose it depends how deeply you want to break down the term 'race'. Either way he aint a bad half back is he?

[DMS]

It could Bob, as you say, easily end up that way, but hasn't.

I'm made aware of complaints being made and by whom, but I can't for the life of me see where or how racism comes into it.

A conversation between suggy and his black mate, prompted a discussion about the jamaican team and black half backs - (well more about 7's than 6's) and suggy brought it to the forum.

If he'd simply asked the question, " how many good black scrum halves have there been over the last x years and who were they??" - it might not have propted the complaints. Then again, it may have.

I fight inequality as part of my job - everyday! I loathe marginalisation in all it's forms. I'm not seeing it here.

and suggy and Terry, Shaun Edwards had ginger)ish) hair!!!!!! GITS!!!!!! lol!

I agree Robin. I don't see anything racist in the topic though i do think it's a pointless debate.

[Steve Slater]

TBH I would have said halfback was Jason Robinson's natural position, given his jinking running style.

Jason Robinson was a halfback when he signed for Wigan from Hunslet Parkside juniors and would probably have been a success in that position if he had not been an overnight sensation on the wing.

[vitocorleone]

Ex Batley and Dewsbury stand-off Danny Thomas????

[Trojan]

Ex Batley and Dewsbury stand-off Danny Thomas????

Did Roger Simpson ever play half back? Big lad though.

[HaroldShand]

Did Roger Simpson ever play half back? Big lad though.

Yes, Roger did play stand-off, mostly during his time at Bradford Northern though. At best he might have played one or two games for us at 6.

Not sure about the 'big lad' bit though? Roger is only about 5'5, and must weigh about 11 stone wet through at the most!