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It’s that Test rugby time of the year again, and whatever the team make-up, we get the same burning questions: should it be George Smith or Phil Waugh? Who is the better open-side flanker? Who is better suited to Test rugby?
It’s been going on since 2000, so let’s take a look at the reasons why it’s such a tough selection to make.
Starting with Smith, we have a strong all-round footballer, the perfect link between forwards and backs, as all good opensides should be. The guy can hit hard in defence, run the ball strongly, and act as a quasi-playmaker in general play.
Despite a reduction in the opportunities to do so, he also remains one of the premier pilferers of possession at the breakdown in the game.
Then we have the arch nemesis in regards to the openside position, Phil Waugh.
Tough, uncompromising, a true warrior of the game, this is a man you want in the trenches next to you when the going gets tough. He is able to make the turnover and get the ball that lifts an entire team.
He is a breakdown specialist and, as he gets older he has also developed a running and ball playing facet to his game.
Apart from New Zealand, this guy, as is the case with Smith, would be a walk up start to any other international team.
Looking at the Super 14 season, there has been little to really separate the players by.
Smith got the Australian Super 14 player of the year, while Waugh came second to Cliffy Palu in the NSW Best and Fairest, proving to be a driving force behind his team’s near success.
Smith often played a lone hand in what he himself would admit was a badly undermanned Brumbies squad.
Looking at the form from the two tests so far this year, most would have to admit that Smith has struggled a bit. Perhaps the move back to the old laws has stunted his game a little, with fewer opportunities to display his skill.
Waugh has been a revelation in coming on in the second half. His energy has been invaluable to the team. It helped them get over the line against Ireland, and he showed his versatility by playing well at No.8 during the second half against France.
Then we look at who has the runs on the board.
Undoubtedly Smith, with more opportunities given to him, has the edge here. And he has shown consistently why he gets picked for the position, with eye-catching performances in attack and at the breakdown especially.
One feels bad for Waugh, a guy who has always put in 100%, never having a bad game for his country in the few opportunities as a starter he has received and consistently providing energy when injected from the bench.
One wonders if Smith could do the same if the roles were reversed.
Finally, we need to look at what challenges face Australia in what is probably the most physically demanding season an Australian squad has faced.
In the brutal battles against teams like New Zealand and South Africa, I lean towards Waugh as my man. He can take the hits and get up stronger.
In Australia, and against other opponents on dry tracks, I would probably go with Smith as he is efficient at the breakdown and could almost be classed as a third playmaker in the team after Giteau and Barnes.
But what’s your opinion – Waugh or Smith?
Who is the better player? Who better suits the way you want the Wallabies to play?
Love this article? Nominate it for The Roar’s Armchair Sports Writer Award. Or vote now for this week’s nominated articles.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.