Tom Carter – honest toiler or a glimpse of rugby’s future?
Roar Pro By Bruce Ross, 23 Mar 2009 Bruce Ross is a Roar Pro
- Tagged:
- Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Tom Carter, Waratahs
How is it that a player who covers more ground than the early explorers, has an extraordinarily high and varied level of effective involvements, and is constantly realigning his field position to suit particular phases of play can be regarded as a one-dimensional player who lacks flair?
Throughout the last two Super 14 seasons Tom Carter has essentially redefined the No.12 position; yet no one seems aware of it.
Carter is frequently compared to long-serving Waratahs inside-centre Nathan Grey but the comparison is misleading.
The similarities are that they are both straight runners who hit the line with force and malicious intent and that they are powerful and effective tacklers. But Grey is a much smaller man who played a conventional and fairly predictable 12 game.
Until last season, Carter had dominated the centre-field in Sydney club rugby for three or four seasons, but despite being on the Waratahs roster had never had a single minute of Super 14 game time. That changed when Todd Louden took over as attack coach and proceeded to exploit Carter’s work ethic and physical attributes that are particularly valuable in the modern game under the ELVs.
Louden, currently visiting family in Australia after guiding Ricoh from Second Division to Top Four status in Japan, agrees that Carter’s work rate and ability to bend the line are often overlooked.
“Tommy can play both a passing game and a block-busting running game, and is capable of adapting and improving his game to any team play or style. He is constantly reinventing himself around what is best for the team. He is a pleasure to coach as it is like working with a fresh canvas each season.”
Under Ewen McKenzie and Louden, Carter was an integral part of the Waratahs’ all-but-triumphant 2008 campaign, playing every game despite carrying injuries to both groins through most of the season.
Not surprisingly, after the Super 14 he had to miss the remaining Sydney club Premiership games, but more importantly was not available for the Australia A fixtures which may well have given him the chance to press for the Wallabies end-of-year tour.
Like his captain Phil Waugh, Carter receives little credit or recognition for the sheer volume of work he gets through.
Next time you watch a ‘Tahs game – presuming selectors don’t persist with a rotation policy – have a look at how many kick chases Carter leads. Count his tackle involvements and their success rate.
After an engagement, watch how he sprints cross field to take up the most effective defensive or attacking position. Observe how he controls the defensive alignment of his backline. Note how powerfully he gets across the gain line and how many defenders have to be committed to arrest his momentum.
The Tom Carter game is an exemplar of how a big, powerful, very fit and fast back-rower might approach the challenge of playing as an outside back. I believe he is the forerunner of a style which will become increasingly utilised.
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- Explore:
- Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Tom Carter, Waratahs
March 23rd 2009 @ 8:11am
stillmissit said | March 23rd 2009 @ 8:11am | Report comment
I too have been amazed by his surprising speed and his work rate. He needs someone who can work with him and Horne isn’t that yet but I think he will be. When he first turned up I wondered why they picked him but he strikes one more like a thinner Turinui than a Nathan Grey.
March 23rd 2009 @ 8:26am
wallythefly said | March 23rd 2009 @ 8:26am | Report comment
Good call, the man is a workhorse. I don’t understand why they keep flirting with Tahu at 12 when Carter is such a good solid player there
March 23rd 2009 @ 8:48am
Reg said | March 23rd 2009 @ 8:48am | Report comment
he is the most average player in Australian Rugby. The Kevin Hardwick of modern rugby.
Please continue picking him Waratahs.
March 23rd 2009 @ 9:04am
LeftArmSpinner said | March 23rd 2009 @ 9:04am | Report comment
I was a fan from his grade days, but thought him a journeyman at S14 level, that was until I started my Fantasy team and saw the stats he produced each and every week in 2008. Statistically, the picture is less clear this year as he has not had the same game time. However, the performance is clearer when comparisons are made with players such as Tahu. Simply put, he is the most effective Waratahs player. He misses 6% of his tackles, he really chases all the kicks, good or bad, he can catch and pass on both sides, he doesnt have good and bad games. He is a silent character.
He is not a Nathan Grey or a Tuirinui. He is much bigger and faster than Grey and Tuirinui. He is more committed than Tuirinui.
Is there a place in the Wallabies for him, when every one is fit?? No. Giteau and Barnes get the nod ahead of him. But there is when injuries start to bite, as they will, he is next in line. He closes the door defensively at 12 and opens the attacking door when they have the ball. And he is just 26 years old.
The Tahs have to select him each week though. Then, what do they do with Tahu? Well, have him share a wing with Tuqiri or as a bench impact player where his footwork is more useful and his defence less exposed.
March 23rd 2009 @ 9:09am
Bruce Ross said | March 23rd 2009 @ 9:09am | Report comment
LeftArm, could I ask where you get the stats you talk about here. I also noticed you mentioning them in another previous thread.
March 23rd 2009 @ 10:25am
Sluggy said | March 23rd 2009 @ 10:25am | Report comment
Deans picked Hynes on the wing ahead of some more “flashy” alternatives, if he thinks Carter’s good enough he will be in the squad, then as you say, when injuries bite he will het a chance .
However, what do you make of his kicking out-of-hand? Deans prefers a 12 who can play the 2nd 5/8th role Aeoteoroan style. So he’s more likely to bring Cooper on (as first reserve) if one of Barnes/Giteau goes off, then move Mortlock to 12 and bring on a replacement 13 – Cross, Tahu, AAC if Sherpard is in there at fullback.
So unfortunately his chances seem limited unless he shows a sufficient kicking game. Not that I’m saying he can’t kick, just that he doesn’t do much kicking for the ‘tahs.
March 23rd 2009 @ 11:12am
Bruce Ross said | March 23rd 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
Sluggy, you threw me with “Aeoteoroan,” for which I had to resort to Google. You learn something new every day: I had never come across Aeoteoroa as a name for New Zealand.
You are probably right about Deans’s preferences, but speaking personally, I don’t feel that we would lose anything if we had fewer backs whose first instinct is to kick the ball.
I use the phrase, “pressure relieving kick”, for aimless resorts to the boot when you have started to string phases together. You are gradually building pressure on the defence with successive phases: then you dissipate that pressure by hoofing it into the air.
Dumb rugby.
March 23rd 2009 @ 11:29am
Sluggy said | March 23rd 2009 @ 11:29am | Report comment
Bruce,
I first heard it in the recntly added (i.e. in the last decade) Maori verse of the NZ anthem.
I agree with you about kicking generally, but a few well placed kicks behind the crew’s rush defence on Saturday might have payed dividends. By well placed I mean not aimlessly booted down to the 22 but in the space behind the first, rush, line and the rear markers with Carter and Horne motoring onto them and either regathering or isolating the defender who gets it. 10 yards behind would be enough. I’ve posted in the topic of the tah’s decision making in another thread so won ‘t repeat it here.
March 23rd 2009 @ 11:33am
Phil said | March 23rd 2009 @ 11:33am | Report comment
Carter needs a new post try celebration
March 23rd 2009 @ 12:24pm
stillmissit said | March 23rd 2009 @ 12:24pm | Report comment
Sluggy – I have a couple of roses in my garden with the same name.
Was like you surprised that the common offset to the rush defence wasnt used on Sat night. Makes you wonder who is thinking out there and who is going through the motions.
Rugby is a simple game played in a battle ground. Decisions need to be made quickly and pressure needs to be applied continuously. You cant do that if your head is full of 14 different attacking options and 5 differing ideas from those around you. This is especially true if you are just 20 years old and a bit immature to start with.