Ash - its all about who turns up on the day (you playing for UNSW?). Some of the lower Division clubs would give the higher divisions a run for their money with the best teams on the park, but in all Divisions, lower Grades aren't always a case of lower grade = lower skill. Its mostly about fun... and trying not to get killed by large Samoans... which is fun when you
really think about it...
Aussie D - start with the basics. Most of it you'll work out on the day. That won't stop me spewing shit about the basics though
The main thing is teamwork.
Work out your binds with the THP and hooker. Typically I like a LHP to bind across their hooker's shoulder blades and, depending on how well-rounded your hooker is, bind under the armpit. Some blokes I've actually hooked my fingers into the button collar of their jersey because they were little chaps (some hookers hate it). The THP should take a bind diagonally down to the hooker's left hip or even on their shorts. The longer bind there stabilises him on engagement. As for the bind of the second rower behind you, I used to prefer the lock reaching through and grabbing the bottom of my jersey, but now I actually prefer him to wrap his arm around my inside leg: if he's hanging onto your jersey it pulls downward on you and if he loses the jersey grip you're stuffed. Work out what works for you though. The flanker on your side can either shoulder in if you're looking for an 8-man drive, or hang off if he's going to harass the flyhalf. Binds should be the same every single time so people can concentrate on what they're doing in comfort (and style!)
Next, make sure that each and every scrum you and the other T5 players have The PlanTM ready. The PlanTM should consist of what you're attempting to do and will be the result of many factors: whose feed it is; where you are on the park; the score; your level of dominance; and how much time is left. I find it easiest to have a few simple calls to bring The PlanTM to life e.g. Black Ball is an 8-man drive, Sink is just holding your place, Romeo is Right wheel while Leo is Left wheel. Scrum calls can be just as important as lineout calls or set moves.
If, for example, you had 5 minutes on the clock, were 3 points behind, and it was either side's feed in
their 22, The PlanTM would be: drill the shit out of them, and get the ball at the scrum OR make it of such bad quality they have to hurry it into touch.
If you've got the feed, have a narrow lead, and you're copping a bit of grief at the scrum, then The PlanTM is: get the fucking ball out quickly and get to the next ruck ONLY after the scrum is really over. Otherwise you lose your concentration and get pooched.
As for personal technique: Shoulders back, lock your core muscles (if you still have any - I don't so I fake this bit
), straighten the back, big chest sticking out. Also cock your hips backwards like you're the lead homo at Mardi Gras - this gives your second rower something decent to push against and keeps your spine straight. Stay a bit below your hooker's shoulder line because you want to get under the big unit opposite. Feet back under your hips (just inside your shoulders) so you're not in the way of the feed - get your lock to hold you back a bit pre-engagement like a crossbow bolt in its cradle. Big breath in... line up his shoulder as your target area... get your head in position so its like you're looking over a pair of imaginary sunglasses at him... wait for it...
ENGAGE!
Hammer the other bloke like he stole your last ten bucks and let that big breath out explosively - get the rest of your T5 guys to do it in time because it can be quite impressive and actually helps with the strength and timing of your hit (if you've done any martial arts training you'll know what I mean). Most THPs in the lower levels don't go that hard on the engage, so if he's busy being in pain after you hit him, he's your bitch. After the engage, if he's busy squirming, you should be able to readjust your feet depending on The PlanTM. Having your feet just inside your shoulders allows to you drive in at the THP and extend your body fully - SMALL STEPS!!!! If you're on a Sink, then spread your feet apart a bit but not so much you get in the hooker's way.
Most of the time THPs will just try to hang in there on your own feed, so work at getting your head into his solar plexus and as TOCC says - drop your shoulder into the back of his neck to twist him.
Another key thing - if you keep getting collapsed on, bring your outside (left) foot up a bit to stabilise you on the engagement, then shift it back once engaged so you can bring the power on. Don't be afraid to tell the ref if something is unsafe in your opinion. Most whistleblowers have no idea and some are actually grateful for the help. Especially if its apparent you have made mincemeat out of the bloke opposite.
LHP fucking rules - best of luck with that.
