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If only they were a Wallaby

Roar Guru
27th March, 2014
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Will Genia brings a crucial element no other 9 in the country possesses - experience. (Photo: Paul Barkley/LookPro)
Roar Guru
27th March, 2014
107
2993 Reads

Every so often, a player comes through the rugby ranks who seems better suited to the style of a nation they cannot call their own.

Such players are a rarity, as it is difficult to escape national styles at the highest level, but they are out there, and leave us wishing they had a different passport.

Here are some of the best playing another nation’s brand of rugby.

Will Genia: South Africa
The little general is dangerous at the best of times but imagine the impact Genia could have behind a giant Sprinboks forward pack. Even more so, imagine the carnage Genia could mastermind with hard-running loose forwards on either side of him.

Genia plays a game similar to the great Fourie du Preez – with both possessing great vision and ability to create something from nothing.

While Genia is limited with the Wallabies, he would run amok with the Boks.

Willie le Roux: New Zealand
Le Roux on his day is sublime, in a similar mould to Cory Jane when the Hurricanes’ fullback-cum-winger is in form.

Given his natural decision-making ability and nuance for broken play, Willie seems perfect to slot into an All Black backline. The over-structured and inhibiting backline play of the Springboks isn’t suited to a player of his attacking calibre.

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Jamie Heaslip: Wallabies
The hulking Irish goliath is a genuine international-quality player with the sort of skills not typically seen in Northern Hemisphere forwards.

Heaslip could be the player Australia wanted Rocky Elsom to be a few years ago.

Brian O’Driscoll: Wallabies
Undoubtedly, BOD has had a remarkable career and possesses a highlight reel to die for.

God he would have been good outside Matt Giteau though… If only, if only.

Jamie Roberts: South Africa
South African-born Roberts would make for a phenomenal midfield partnership with captain Jean de Villiers. JJ Engelbrecht comes in a similar mould to Roberts but cannot match the Welsh inside centre for size and skill.

Roberts is a perfect fit for the South African backline, and what a backline it would be with him in it.

Morne Steyn: England
To be fair, Morne has been fairly suited to the forward-oriented play of the Springboks circa-2008, but the epic final Rugby Championship game demonstrated that the Springboks are moving away from that brutal style.

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England have not though, could Morne become the new Jonny Wilkinson? Probably not because he’s not a citizen.

Brodie Retallick: England
Not only does he have the look of an English forward, he has the style too. Retallick has had a great start to his All Black career but Martin Johnson could teach him a thing or two and develop Brodie into a truly Test-standard lock.

Roarers, what do you think? Who would you like to see play for your country?

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