Something isn’t working. That we can all agree on. For a long time the backs have been the Wallabies strength while the forwards have been lacking the required ‘oomph’ and ‘mongrel’ to take on the bigger packs in the world (which are more numerous than we’d like).
Yet, last weekend there was displayed an enormous difference in metres gained, not through the rucks and mauls, but through the middle of the field.
This would be less of an issue if we were able to follow suit.
The ability of the All Blacks to make easy metres is well documented, but our centre combination of Berrick Barnes and Rob Horne had no physical answers in attack to Ma’a Nonu and Sony Bill Williams.
I still think that Barnes at 12 has merit. I think he is defensively sound and is a good foil to Coopers unpredictability. Given time this could prove to be quite a solid combination.
It’s when we get to 13 that things start to get awry.
I’m not going to sit here and knock Horne. He is a very good player but I think if anything he is struggling with Pocock-itis – that is he has bulked up more than he needs to.
When he burst onto the Waratahs scene as a very young kid he was blistering in attack. His acceleration was phenomenal and his strength in the tackle was superb. Since then he has become a far bigger unit, subsequently his center of gravity and speed seems to have been seriously affected.
Perhaps he can learn to work with his frame better but at the moment he’s not busting tackles like he used to and this is something he must work on and people need to help him.
If you look at our best 13’s they have been instrumental to our success. Sterling Mortlock, Dan Herbert, Jason Little to name a few in the modern era. They were strong, fast and allowed the rest of the team to work off a good platform moving forward.
Mike Tindall did the same for England, Tana Umaga for New Zealand, Brian O’Driscoll for Ireland. Every good international team has a centre in this mold.
I remember when I was playing fantasy Super 14 (I think it was) and I had picked Digby Ioane as one of my outside backs, however that year he actually spent most of the time in outside centre for the Reds.
Every single week, almost without fail, he would pick up the most points because of his ridiculous metres gained. He set up the Reds attacking phases with his awesome speed and the ability to step without losing that speed. He saw the ball more and the team benefited.
The Wallabies need this right now more than ever. They need someone who is going to get past the advantage line so the likes of Quade Cooper and Kurtley Beale can do some damage with a broken field with forward runners throughout it. This is, I believe, playing to our strengths.
I know many people will say that Digby can’t or won’t pass the ball and maybe they’re right. But this doesn’t concern me. We have plenty of people who can pass and pass well. I want Digby to pin his ears back and do what he does best – run at full tilt, all the time. You know he will. If he is making yards like he always does I don’t care if he never passes the ball again.
Kiwis are regularly saying that the two people who would have a crack at making the All Black team are Will Genia and Ioane. Genia sees the ball plenty and Ioane needs to see it more. Let the people inside and outside of him do the pretty stuff.
We need a 13 who defences offset their positioning for. At the moment they are just waiting on their toes for the collision. And colliding successfully they are. Pick Digby Ioane at number 13.
RebelRanger
Guest
Mortlock was a tremendous talent and exactly what Australia needs at the moment..
RebelRanger
Guest
This time next year you'll be trying to forget Taps, Cummins and Shippers..
sittingbison
Guest
Diggers 11, Taps at 12, Cummins 13, Shippers 14. Best of all worlds with pace, power, passing But it's a pipe dream. I think Deans will put Beale back to 15 and AAC to 14. Sigh.
mr spartan
Guest
Digby has played 13 all his life from Endevour hills rugby club, Melbourne storm juniors, St Joseph's brisbane and OZ school boys under 18 and 21's!!!!! Until he played super rugby where they transformed him into a winger!
Justin2
Guest
Not sure what either of you are on about regarding work rate, his work rate is outstanding in a team that doesn't play expansively.
Justin2
Guest
He is 27 years of age, so a season and a bit is not a large chunk of his career. He doesn't have the skills and you will lose his work rate and surprise element from the wing. It's robbing Peter to pay Paul and I think we would be worse off.
Albo
Guest
He played his entire 2009 season at 13 for reds and then switched back and forth in 2010.
soapit
Guest
mortlock had a very good passing game for a 13. always able to put his winger away.
soapit
Guest
it is a bit of a myth. AAC hadnt spent much time there before doing it for the wallbies and is considered by some to be our best 13 by some margin. the myth comes largely from when they stuck tahu there and he had no idea but he also had little background in rugby. so it probably is the hardest position to defend but not that hard to pick up if youve got the rugby brain.
soapit
Guest
kind of shows how frustrated he is when he is resorting to getting into the pick and drives to get some ball. and to think someone else was saying he should go looking for work.
soapit
Guest
in the past i havent been a fan of him at 13 because he cant pass but neither does horne and he at least ticks all the other boxes so we could do worse than stick him there. would still like oconnor to be given a run there though. oh and will greenwood was 13 in that brief period where england played well. tndall was at 12 in tandem with catt.
dcnz
Guest
you need a conrad smith in your backline to run the show, and reduce the role of Barnes at 12, or just get rid of Barnes and get Harris to shovel it wide, and tackle. Conrad scored a lovely weaving try in SA in 2009 unbelievable. Coach a player to develop that guile and slide through skill set. You know, like Larkham, who would just ghost through the gap. A silky kind of player who can draw and pass. Why is that AAC, that ball hog Horne, and Digby can't pass and they are in the Wallabies?
Worlds biggest
Guest
I would love to see Digby given a run at 13, why not try him there for a few games with Taps at 12. Digby certainly has the physicality and go forward required for the position. In regards to his passing skills, Mortlock was never much of a passer. Defence would be the question mark as outside is the toughest position to defend. We simply must select more physical players in all positions. Cummins to come onto the wing and Tomane when he is fit. I'd also like to see JOC get a run a 10.
Justin2
Guest
Digby has played a lot of 13 when exactly?
Campbell Watts
Guest
It just requires him being given a go Sircoolalot!!! Why he hasn't already is beyond me!!
Campbell Watts
Guest
Digby could always come looking for more work! He doesn't and thats his own fault. He's not up to the defensive game required to play centre and he struggles with his handling on the wing - let alone a postion that also requires distribution! He's a great player - you want to involve him more? Simple - structure your plays arond bringing him into the action more! Thats Dean's fault that this has not been implemented already! As a rabid AB's fan Digby is the only WB who might make my AB selection - the fact that the WB's don't utilise his great skills set to it's fullest is a terrible indictment on Dean's poor use of the players he has at his disposal.
Sircoolalot
Guest
Cummins is a good shout. If he can develop and grow as a player in the international set up, he should surely be considered as a future Wallaby 13.
Crazy Horse
Guest
There is one and he has just been put back in the squad. A man who can play 12, 13 or 14. Big, strong, fast and equally competent in attack or defense. His name is Nick Cummins and hopefully we'll see him in action against the South Africans in Perth.
Way
Guest
They need a bigger backline to have any hope of beating the All Balcks. They should try Mike Harris (96kg) at at 2nd five, Adam Ashley-Cooper (98kg) or (Digby Ioane (93kg) at centre, Nick Cummins (98kg) at wing, Ashley-Cooper (98kg) or (Digby Ioane (93kg) on the other wing and Kurtley Beale (95kg) at fullback. The ideal 1st five is James O'Connor (88kg) Berrick Barnes is way too small for the modern type 2nd five and he kicks because he doesn't have the confidence in his power to run through people.
Invictus
Guest
Leave Ioane where he is and find a centre pairing that is able to deliver him good ball and space to use it in. At the moment he is getting the ball while jammed up against the sideline with three defenders in front of him. There aren't too many wingers in the world who can make much out of that.