2. MODEL MODERN ATHLETE - When watching a game in which Lawes' is playing in you will always hear the commentators go on about how Lawes' is the perfect modern athlete which is clear to see when you watch him play as his natural fitness levels lead to him being here, their and everywhere on the field of play. Hitting every ruck and being an ever present ball carrying option. As well he has a natural speed and acceleration which led him to make 11 tackles in his return to the England team against Scotland, only topped by Haskell (13) and B.Vunipola (11) who are both back rowers. With Lawes' you pretty much have a 4th back rower operating around the pitch which means you should always have a strong hold on the breakdown which is key to winning matches.
3. MONSTER HITS - If you're a fan of rugby you will know that Lawes will never shy away from a big collision and is an absolute animal in them. I reckon he lays in bed at night and dreams about smashing people. Just view the links underneath and you will get where I am coming from. He even stated in a interview with BBC radio Northampton in 2012 that he had gained a stone in weight for bigger hits. With his natural pace and fitness he is able to put these big hits in regularly which leaves the opposition in fear when they see his 2 metre frame charging at them. This in turn forces mistakes out of the opposition as they are going to be focusing more on him charging at them than they are catching the ball. Lawes used to have a hot streak in him which saw him often penalised for these big hits which were often a tiny bit to late. The links below demonstrates how Courtney uses his athleticism with his line speed and beast mode to destroy opposition thus a force to be reckoned with
Tackle till you pass out
Lawes' huge hit on Plisson
4. CARELESS COURTNEY - As I said in my last point Lawes was renowned for near enough snapping his opposition in ways that weren't always completely legal or safe for himself. Which led to getting injured a fair amount as his hits were huge but technique was never all there. With these injuries it meant that the young hot prospect could never kick on to be the superstar. As well Lawes was regularly criticised within the media for the amount of penalties and cards he received. Which a good opposition will punish. However with his new approach of bigger hits but less stupidity it means that he is finally beginning to kick on and become a stand out player for both club and country and is no longer viewed upon as the clumsy idiot on the pitch.
5. THE X FACTOR - Courtney has something about him that makes him stand out from the rest. Whether it be the fact he is a sheer war horse or that he athleticism of a back whilst in a lock forwards body. This as Lancaster said 'brings a point of difference to the England team.' There are other fantastic lock forwards about but its rare you describe a player in that position as a game changer but its exactly what Lawes is. He does that bit more around the pitch to get his team going and puts in the big hits which force mistakes and get the crowd on your side. He is dynamic and quite frankly scary to come up against, he is England's Julian Savea. If he remains injury free he will be central to England's and Northampton's future success.
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| Lawes size enabling line-out dominance |
