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What is it about the Wallabies’ 12 jersey – no player seems to want to make it their own.
Ideally, the 12 has to have a passing and kicking game comparable to a flyhalf, a running game like an outside centre, plus the ability to tackle and pilfer like an open-side flanker.
On top of this, the inside centre is expected to step up and playmake when the 10 is otherwise engaged, and may be charged with organising the defence.
As a former forward, inside centre looks to be the most exciting position in the back line. However, the last Wallaby who played 12 out of preference was Tim Horan.
Matt Giteau was probably the closest to a specialist all-round 12 that we have had, but he also spent a lot of time at 10 and some at 9, and only went back to 12 later in his career when Quade Cooper came along. This reflects a fairly consistent theme of 12 as a consolation prize for the second-best 10 in the Wallabies. Elton Flatley, Berrick Barnes, Christian Lealiifano all spring to mind.
It was recently reported that Matt Toomua was selected at 12 when Ewen McKenzie wanted to bring Cooper back into the starting team, asking him “you have played 12 haven’t you?”, to which Toomua replied “yes”, neglecting to mention that he hadn’t done so since under 11s. So much for taking the position of 12 seriously at a national level.
Kurtley Beale has had a good run at 12 for the Waratahs, leading to calls for him to take the position in the Wallabies. However, he needs defensive coverage from a player like Rob Horne on the wing. I can’t see how giving up a proper winger for the sake of having Beale is going to consistently stack up in internationals. I would rather see Beale stay on the wing than play half a game at 12. He showed in the World Cup England Test against England that he intuitively understands how to rove in attack and set up tries, so we need not accept a second-best winger to have him play.
When the Wallabies haven’t played a frustrated flyhalf at 12, the other theme has been to play a solid defender who contributes little in attack, with the playmaking left to the flyhalf. Anthony Fainga’a and Pat McCabe are a couple of examples. This is also not ideal, as it reduces the Wallabies attacking game a dimension, something they cannot afford against the All Blacks.
In contrast to Australian practice, the All Blacks and the Springboks have both had outstanding specialist 12s for over a decade, and a specialist replacement for those players will undoubtedly be found this season.
With respect to Dan Carter and Richie McCaw, Ma’a Nonu is the best all-round rugby player in at least a generation, and should be the benchmark for all 12s.
So if the Wallabies start giving the position the weight that it deserves, who would they choose from? Lealiifano is a better 12 than a 10 and should be encouraged to contest for the jumper. He can kick, is one of the best backline defenders in the game and has an underrated, evasive running game that has not been exploited due to poor support play.
Encouragingly, Michael Cheika has made noises about Karmichael Hunt being played at 12 with the Reds, which means that he understands the importance of the position being filled by a specialist. Unfortunately, the Reds coaching staff considered it necessary to play hunt at fullback.
The other Reds player who could make an impact in the position is Samu Kerevi, he has been playing 13 this season but tore up the park at 12 with Brisbane City in the NRC last year. I would love to see this young man used as a ‘finisher; off the bench in the 12 position this season, like Sonny Bill Williams was for the All Blacks last year – he and Tevita Kuridrani would wreak havoc when things open up in the second half.
But whoever pulls on the gold 12 jersey from now on, I would like it to be a player who has been trained as a specialist and wants to play there. This is a key consideration in the Wallabies’ ongoing struggle to match the backline play of the All Blacks, and we won’t get there until it is addressed.
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.