Smith versus Waugh: the great debate rages
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By Rhys Thompson, 1 Jul 2008 The Crowd is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Brumbies, France, George Smith, Giteau, Ireland, New Zealand, Phil Waugh, Rugby Union, South Africa, Super Rugby, wallabies
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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?
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- Explore:
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Doctor Best said | July 1st 2008 @ 6:59am | Report comment
Matt Burke said recently that Waugh should captain the Wallabies. Having been born in Australia, he qualifies. However you don’t have to be a Kiwi to captain the ABs. You all know by now that Samoan-born So’oialo will lead the team against the Boks on Saturday. Way to go, Rod. But it turns out there’s been six other foreign-born skippers of the ABs during their history. Another Samoan in Jerry Collins, two Scots – Cliff Porter, 1924-30, and Laurie Haig, ’53-’54 – two Aussies (sorry about that, Kiwis) Jimmy Tilyard from Tasmania (Tasmania?) in 1920, and Des Connor from Queensland in 1962, and an Irishman, Dave Gallaher, 1905- 06.
Some research shows that there were a few players that escaped the clutches of the NZRU, like Willie O (visa problem) and David Campese who was actually born at Auckland’s National Womens Hospital. Weirdly enough, it turns out that Sir Edmund Hillary was born in Cootamundra, NSW, and – this is absolutely extraordinary – Ernest Rutherford, the nuclear physicist, was born in Coolac, which is near Cootamundra.
As far as sports go, at the L.A. Olympics, 1984, New Zealand finished 7 places higher than Australia in the medal count, although Kevin Barry, who silvered in the light-heavyweight boxing for NZ, was born in Broome, WA.
Benjamin Saunders said | July 1st 2008 @ 7:35am | Report comment
With so many games the selection has to be horses for courses. Waugh has provided excellent impact when he has come off the becn so far and that may well be invaluable during the tighter games in the Tri-Nations.
Smith has been so consistently excellent for so long that he tends to slip under the radar a bit. This is even more impressive given that he has rarely played with a dominating pack.
I suspect that Deans will continue to start Smith.
Roger said | July 1st 2008 @ 9:44am | Report comment
As most games start tight then open up in the second half, lets start with the better tight player (Waugh) and end with the better loose player (Smith). Elementary really!
Whilst Smith is a better footballer, his skills are waisted early in a game and his effectiveness later when the game opens up is dulled by the early heavy exchanges.
Peter K said | July 1st 2008 @ 10:03am | Report comment
I think people are dreaming re Smith. Instead of looking at him with Rose tinked glasses i.e. consistently good games, game breaker etc, do a reality check. His weak games are overlooked as an abberation and only his strong games remembered.
I challenge you to name the last international game he had that was a strong one. Then name the last international good game he has had against a strong team.
Smith shines for the Brumbies but that is not Intl level. He is a seagulling dandy glory boy. Wants to do the high profile stuff but not the hard work. Waugh is tougher and grittier. He is of better value when the war needs to be won in the tenches (ruck). Waugh is a better support player , when there is a break Waugh is more often in support than Smith.
Smith is a better ball handler, and yes kicker like we need that for an openside. Smith is a better runner of the ball in open loose play. Waugh is better in tight hard exchanges.
Smith is a back trapped in a forwards body.
I would start Waugh and bring Smith on for the last 20.
Al said | July 1st 2008 @ 10:08am | Report comment
The only reason to pick Smith ahead of Wuagh, his superior ball handling/playmaking skills, have been made redundant with the selection of Barnes and Giteau. Pick Waugh to start and bring on Smith to create havoc late in the match
Roger said | July 1st 2008 @ 10:16am | Report comment
Well, thats a majority wanting Waugh to start…all in favour…”I”, all against “Nay”…the “I”s have it! Waugh starts then Smith comes on at second half! I love democracy!
Lets not turn this into a crticism forum of either player, they both have their respective strengths and weaknesses.
Terry Kidd said | July 1st 2008 @ 10:45am | Report comment
Guys I won’ criticize either player but I will go with Waugh to start and Smith to the bench for the tests this year simply because I believe that Waugh is playing the better rugby more consistently than Smith. In my opinion Waugh looks a little hungier, a little more urgent and tougher in his work and a little more inclined to support the team’s work overall. In no way do I mean any of these comments as a criticism of Smith, simply an observation that Waugh seems to want it a little more and it is reflecting in his play.
Jameswm said | July 1st 2008 @ 11:50am | Report comment
Like most of you I think the selectors usually get it the wrong way round. Waugh is better when the game is tighter and Smith when it’s looser.
Having said that, in a cliffhamger, a match can be very tight at the end. Take the Ireland game for example. The games don’t open up like they used to.
mudskipper said | July 1st 2008 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
George Smith is a Master Craftsman, an adept surgeon who can always remove the ball; Phil Waugh is a resilient Work Horse, who never stops trackling..
Skill vs. Work Load… I choose Smith; let other players build the wall…Smith offers more ball time to the Wallabies…
Peter K said | July 1st 2008 @ 3:02pm | Report comment
Robbie must of been reading this forum, with the changes he put in place.
Sharpe must have very sore knees and throat to keep his place,
…..and I mean he was praying, what else were you thinking?
