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Rocky Elsom in action during the Tri-Nations rugby Test at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane, Saturday, July 24, 2010. The Wallabies ran the world champion Springboks into submission to win the second Tri-nations rugby Test 30-13. (AAP Image/Patrick Hamilton)
After watching the absorbing World Cup final between France and New Zealand, I got to thinking: what was it that made both teams so competitive?
Classy flyhalf? Dominant front rows? Scintillating back threes? All important elements but for mine, the power behind World Cup victories this season has been the backrow.
Julien Bonnaire, Thierry Dusautoir and Imanol Harinordoquy stood alongside Richie McCaw, Jerome Kaino and Kieran Read as the most important players on the field.
The modern game is becoming more about the breakdown and that split second advantage gained by arriving first and controlling it. The French and All Blacks boast quality players in the backrow that seem to hunger for the contest of the collision.
They keep fronting up, willing to do the hard work (and not lurking on the wing waiting for a miracle play).
Similarly, these players are towers of strength when it comes to carting the ball up, crossing the advantage line and presenting good quick ball for the next phase.
These players all have a good skill set, can pass and catch well, position themselves intuitively in both attack and defence, and inspire their team mates with their big hits and rousing runs.
Compare this with Radike Samo and Rocky Elsom.
One of Australia’s biggest problems in all the World Cup matches was that we had an unbalanced and inefficient set of loosies. David Pocock carried the team with his inhuman work rate and accuracy, but he was poorly supported by his 6 and 8.
We run the risk of losing one of our best players to injury or mental fatigue if he continues to carry this weight alone.
We know that both Radike and Rocky are capable (on their day) of playing to a high level, but in the most important tournament of their lives they could not deliver.
The solution? Well the answer is also as simple as it is unattainable. Who are our Dusautoir and Harinordoquys? Where do we get our next Kaino and Read from?
Robbie, over to you.
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.