Throwing a pinpoint line-out ball and scrummaging are still key facets, but it is in the loose where the world’s best hookers thrive.
When 19-year-old Kepu Tuipulotu broke clear against Scotland in the Under-20 Six Nations and nudged through a well-weighted grubber kick to set up another England try, the Bath star showcased exactly why he is so highly rated.
The kick was not a fluke. That exact skill was executed when he captained England Under-18s against South Africa.
“The [kicking] ability just came from when I was younger, from throwing the ball about with my mates and family,” Tuipulotu told BBC Sport.
“My first XVs coach in Harrow gave me a kicking licence. I didn’t attempt to use it a lot but it allowed me to put the ball into spaces.
“That has transferred on to me now as something to show I am not a typical standard hooker in hitting rucks, scrumming and throwing line-outs.”
Throwing the ball about in the back garden will not upskill every young hopeful, but it helps when you come from a family as rich in rugby as Tuipulotu’s.
His father Sione played a good chunk of his career in Wales with Pontypool, Caerphilly and Newport Gwent Dragons, and also featured at two Rugby World Cups for Tonga.
His sister Sisilia props for Wales, and his cousin Carwyn Tuipulotu played for Wales Under-20s and is now impressing in France at Top 14 club Pau after recently leaving Scarlets.
That is only the start of the rugby family tree. Wales number eight Taulupe Faletau is another cousin, with Scotland captain Sione and his younger brother Mosese Tuipulotu, who plays for Edinburgh, also relations.
Former England internationals Billy and Mako Vunipola and their younger cousin Manu, who is now at Mie Honda Heat in Japan after playing for England Under-20s and Saracens, are also cousins, further adding to the rugby heritage.
Whether it was Faletau turning up to a Bath University match to offer some feedback to his little cousin, or a simple text from Billy – the 19-year-old has always been happy to lean on his family ties.
“I love having them tear up in their own way and as a young player I can take parts of their game and put it into mine,” he added.
“I try to take Carwyn’s ball-carrying ability into my game, Sisilia’s ability to go at the line, double pump, offload or run hard lines, and Faletau’s ability off the ball to be everywhere.
“Having my family and extended family play rugby helps inspire me to be as good as them.”
