By Tim Reardon -
October 31st 2009 @ 1:08am
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SOS Mark Gerrard, your country needs you
Seven years after Matt Giteau was catapulted into the Wallabies team, he has begun to demonstrate the leadership and skills deserving of the accolades that preceded his first international Test. In between, there have been games that he would like to forget and others that have made him a star.
If this is to serve as a standard for the development of a boy prodigy, then the 2015 World Cup in England will be James O’Connor’s chance to shine.
Between now and then, we, the Wallabies Diaspora, must live in constant fear that an opposing team might kick the ball. When this naturally talented athlete handles the ball, I get that feeling in the pit of my stomach that something exceptional is about to occur and that points will be scored.
And I hope that the law of averages starts to work and that at least some of them will be scored by the Wallabies.
Blooding a teenager in a Bledisloe is a high risk strategy, but it can work.
The best game of rugby David Campese ever played was his first international. For others, including Pat Howard and ZinZan Brooke, their debuts were of a standard that almost ended their careers.
It slipped by the media that the All Blacks fielded a rookie in the last Bledisloe match. Veteran lock, Bryn Evans, was replaced, due to injury, by Tom Donnelly.
Donnelly has served his apprenticeship through ninety games of Super Rugby and debuted just days before his 28th birthday. He played an outstanding game and has won himself another start for the All Blacks.
Whilst many commentators have rued the lack of depth, or talent, in Australian rugby, that has not allowed experienced replacements like Donnelly to be found.
This is simply not correct.
The weakest player on the Australian team that night, James O’Connor, provides a good example.
The form fullback of the 2009 Super 14 season was an Australian. The Brumbies sixth place on the Super 14 ladder in 2009 obscures the mercurial role Mark Gerrard played in keeping them in the hunt for a finals berth.
He made countless try-saving tackles and consistently repelled kicking duels.
He also displays the two assets a forward pack like to see in a fullback: he is consistently in the right spot and consistently chooses the right option.
At 27, he has nine years of Super Rugby behind him and has gained 20 Wallabies caps in recent years.
Most importantly, he is at the peak of his game.
Just a few months ago, the most talented fullback in the Australian stable was told that there was no role for him in the Wallabies squad and he moved to Japan.
Ironically, the Wallabies are now preparing to play their first Bledisloe Test match in Tokyo and they are searching for an in-form, experienced test quality full back.
I hope that late on Saturday night, Robbie Deans will rise from his seat in the coaching box and scream, “where is Mark Gerrard?”
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Chris said | October 31st 2009 @ 6:45am | Report comment
He’s been there for years an Australia didn’t want him. He was clearly the best Aussie fullback in the S14 (he kept AAC on the Brumbies wing) but Deans made it clear that he wasn’t a chance of a Wallaby jersey.
I loved his quote on the 7.30 report the other night.
MARK GERRARD: People said it’s the end for you for Australian rugby. I’ve been watching the boys for the last couple of weeks, I don’t know about that.
Good on him – I hope he has a great couple of years in Japan and can’t wait to see him back in Brumby (and Wallaby) colours in 2012.
Roy Kneebone said | November 1st 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
Japan season finishes in Febuary so that would mean Gerrardo will only miss next years Super 14 and be available to play in 2011 Super 15 and Rugby World Cup???He would be a marquee signing for the melbourne franchise?????? It would be so good to have him back, we needed him last night
Robbo said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:25am | Report comment
It’s possible he will be back by the 2011 Super 14. But it won’t be in Melbourne – he has already said he would never play for any Australian club other than the Brumbies.
LeftArmSpinner said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:12am | Report comment
MG is not fast enough and took his foot off the pedal at a critical time. his actions demenstrated his mind set and objectives. Yes he is a true fullback, can catch and kick the ball very well, was even a good 5/8 at club level and maybe could have been higher, but what happened to his speed…………
when the coach comes announcing he is looking for speed, you need to get it……….. all he had to do was zip down to Narrabeen and study under Gainsford-Taylor. could be worse…..
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 7:16am | Report comment
I always thought that Gerrard lacked speed, size, power and consistency. Who said he needed speed, btw? Lots of recent top test fullbacks have lacked super gas.
Chris said | October 31st 2009 @ 10:49am | Report comment
Lacked size? He’s 6′4 and 102kg. Who said fullbacks need to be big anyway?
Knives Out said | October 31st 2009 @ 11:44am | Report comment
I find it hard to believe that Gerrard is 6′4. Latham is 6′4. Anyhow, I meant size as in his frame. He looks puny, like Huxley used to.
Chris said | October 31st 2009 @ 2:19pm | Report comment
I can’t think of anything less intelligent than picking a rugby team based on physical appearance.
Besides – take a Christian Cullen or a Billy Slater. Both are pretty small for a rugby player but they are arguably the greatest fullbacks of the modern era in their respective codes.
hammer said | October 31st 2009 @ 2:41pm | Report comment
Why is everyone so full of slater – the bloke is average best defensively – last weekend yet again another example of how poor he is as the last line of defensive – and he’s certainly not worthy of mention in the same sentence as Cullen
Knives Out said | November 1st 2009 @ 8:34am | Report comment
Billy Slater isn’t that small and his size is irrelevant in a game where there is no contest for possession. Size is relevant in rugby union because of that fact, hence current test full bakcs: Muliaina, F. Steyn, Byrne, Kearney and now AAC are massively powerful and unlikely to be turned over in the tackle. Gerrard lacked any tackle breaking ability and was too lightweight to contest the big event.
Robbo said | November 1st 2009 @ 8:39am | Report comment
KO – how on earth is 6′4 and 102kg lightweight. Its like saying that Sachin Tendulkar is huge.
Justin said | November 3rd 2009 @ 7:47am | Report comment
Gerrard is a big man, why do you think he is so slow
Slater is the size of a jockey
Chris said | October 31st 2009 @ 10:47am | Report comment
Who cares about how fast he was (and he wasn’t that slow anyway). All I know is that he has a damn good pair of hands and a very good boot. You couldn’t say that much of O’Connor.
Dan said | November 3rd 2009 @ 7:57am | Report comment
Whatever you might say about Gerrard’s speed, the fact is that his tactical kicking is about 400% better than ANYONE else in the current wallabies set up (particularly now Barnes is out). Tactical kicking is absolutely crucial in Rugby, but we currently have absolutely nothing to offer there. THAT is why we need Gerrard. He will give us field position, and field position is paramount if we want to start winning games.
Knives Out said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:01am | Report comment
He’ll also give you countless lapses of concentration, dropped balls and no dynamic running.
Dean Pantio said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:09am | Report comment
He was far and away the best fullback in an Australian Super squad this year.
Dan said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:18am | Report comment
He was absolutely the best fullback in the country during the S14 and I don’t remember an occaision until he went to Japan that he cost the Brumbies with “lapses of concentration” though I can remember several where his pinpoint kicking got turned deep defence into high attacking opportunities.
He has been inconsistent at times, but he wasn’t in this years S14 and he absolutely shits on the likes of O’Conner as a fullback.
Robbo said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:28am | Report comment
Knives out – You are actually talking about Mark Gerrard right?
Knives Out said | November 4th 2009 @ 3:32am | Report comment
The same Mark Gerrard who at no point during his test career suggested he was anywhere near being good enough to play test rugby. Were the European clubs fighting to bring him over to Europe?
Justin said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:08am | Report comment
He isnt up to Test football IMO, his kicking is excellent, granted but little else of his game is up to that level to be a consistently good player.
Oh and I can almost guarantee that he would have some charge downs in Tests. His low kicking technique with more pressure on would result in some chaotic moments. I am amazed he doesnt get charged down more in S14 but the extra time and space he got at S14 doesnt exist at Test level.
Dan said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:21am | Report comment
I would argue he’s far more up to Test football than O’Conner, who, while a great potential talent, really shits himself when the pressure is on… O’Conner provided no relief for the wallabies with his kicking and was walked over in defence on a number of occaisions. Whatever you might say about Gerrard, he would have had to have played pretty badly to match the screw ups of O’Conner in some of those Bled tests
Robbo said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:26am | Report comment
He can catch a high ball – James O’Connor can’t.
He has an excellent kicking game – James O’Connor doesn’t.
There’s two reasons.
Justin said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:28am | Report comment
I have never said JOC should be 15, he should be pushing for 12 but Deans is Deans and likes players to play where they never have!
Robbo said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:30am | Report comment
Well at least we can agree on that.
Hansie said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:22am | Report comment
Gerrard was the form Australian fullback in the Super 14. Instead, Australia is playing a teenage inside centre at fullback in a Bledisole match. This is yet another Deans selection decision that I don’t understand.
Armchair-critic said | October 31st 2009 @ 8:47am | Report comment
Gerrard typifies what is wrong with Australian rugby IMO.
He is one of a long list of players who is content with mediocrity. He has undoubted natural ability, particularly with the boot, but seems happy just to be a “good” S14 player. If he pushed himself i am sure he would make a very good international fullback.
Players like this tend to go missing in the big games and when they are most needed. 1 or 2 good performance out of every 5 or 6 games isn’t enough IMO.
Having said that there are a number of players who are currently in the Wallabies who also suffer from this (Mitchell, Cross, Chisholm etc) so perhaps Gerrard could feel hard done by. But i for one am not complaining that he isn’t in the squad
This is a trend which is costing Australian rugby and must be rectified somehow. I would start with reducing player payments so that they start to work for their money again
Chris said | October 31st 2009 @ 10:52am | Report comment
Deans made it very clear to Gerrard that he wouldn’t be selected no matter what he did. Besides – he was the form Australian back of the S14 (apart from Ioane and Genia) so I don’t know what you mean about mediocrity. It seems to me that Deans (with his constant selections of TPN, Luke Burgess and JOC) is the one content with mediocre players.
Amy91 said | October 31st 2009 @ 10:51am | Report comment
Adam Ashley-Cooper is a quality player and would be great to play in fullback – and I dont see why Deans is so persistent in not playing James O’Connor in 12. He played all year there next to Giteau and they made a great combo – O’Connor in 12 plays sort of like Giteau did in 12, he runs off Gits like Giteau did off Larkham. Barnes whilst a good player – isnt a try scorer. And Cross and Ashley-Cooper aren’t a good centre combo. They dont need Gerrard, Deans just needs to play Ashley-Cooper in fullback and O’Connor in 12.
TommyM said | October 31st 2009 @ 5:13pm | Report comment
Here here. BTW- Do I take it from your nick that you’re an 18 year old girl? If so, what tremendous insight!
Bay35Pablo said | October 31st 2009 @ 5:22pm | Report comment
Giteau “has begun to demonstrate the leadership and skills deserving of the accolades that preceded his first international Test”. Huh?
How? When? Not this season he hasn’t!!
Knives Out said | November 1st 2009 @ 8:58am | Report comment
‘KO – how on earth is 6′4 and 102kg lightweight. Its like saying that Sachin Tendulkar is huge.’
Because I use my eyes to see, you see? 102 kg is nothing for a 6′4 player. Contrast his build to the other fullbacks that I mentioned.
exile said | November 2nd 2009 @ 8:09am | Report comment
Gerrard is a big man, about the same size as Mortlock. He apparently dropped a few kilos before the 2009 season due to training to regain speed and fitness.
I think Dean’s made a big mistake by not having a regular fullback with a big boot, and it cost us this season in the Tri-Nations.
I would have been happy if either Gerrard or Shepherd had been available for the job. Deans seems to think speed is more important and that any winger can do the job, and I think that has cost us games this year.
It also reduces flexibility. I there was a regualr 15 AAC would not have to be plugging gaps all over the field and could be settled in his best position of 13 (or 14 if and when Mortlock returns).
See the following link and videos. I think the comment dated April 7 was bang on.
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/tag/mark-gerrard/
Matt (Gagger) said | November 3rd 2009 @ 6:58am | Report comment
You mean someone who could play fullback like this?
http://www.greenandgoldrugby.com/gerrards-belter-vs-the-super-14-lions/
Knives Out said | November 3rd 2009 @ 7:01am | Report comment
I can’t believe there’s an article about Mark Gerrard.
Robbo said | November 3rd 2009 @ 7:30am | Report comment
No one has a gun to your head forcing you to read it!
Knives Out said | November 3rd 2009 @ 7:40am | Report comment
An article about Mark Gerrard is just like his play on the field – car crash-esque. I just can’t my eyes away.
Hoy said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:56am | Report comment
I was looking to tag that link on as well Gagger.
A few things spring to mind:
Gerrard looks bigger in that clip than I remember seeing him before.
It shows some great highlights of his play, but I wonder what we don’t see?
I never knew what to think of Gerrard. When he came into prominance, we had a few high profile wingers taking up spots they possibly didn’t deserve.
There can be no denying that he is very safe under kicks, he positions himself well, he can kick bloody well, and he can defend.
For those who say he is too slow, I would like to see a race between him and AAC. Who would win? I reckon it would be closer than people think. AAC is no speedster either.
If people are worried about him running down Habana, or Williams or Rococko, well no he probably wouldn’t, but not many would. I will say this. If he got close to them, I would back him to bring them down more often than I would back O’Connor to bring them down.
Hoy said | November 3rd 2009 @ 8:57am | Report comment
This is take three. I have had problems posting on this article.
A few things spring to mind about the link there with footage of Gerrard. 1) He is a heap bigger in that footage than I remember him being. 2) What don’t we see? As good as he looks in that package, what are we not seeing?
I never knew whether I liked Gerrard or not. He came onto the scene with a bit of skill, however we always had wingers ahead of him who perhaps didn’t really deserve their position.
He is very safe catching kicks, he has a great boot, he is a very good defender.
For those who say he is too slow, I would love to see a race between Gerrard and AAC. AAC is not speedster and if he is deemed good enough, then I would like to think Gerrard can pull it off as well.
If they are worried he can’t run down Habana or Rococko or Williams, then not many can anyway. Plus if he got close enough, I would back Gerrard to bring them down more so than O’Connor.