Wallabies’ coach Robbie Deans wrestles with a backline that can’t stop senseless kicking and Will Genia sits out for the year.
Australian cricket coach Mickey Arthur’s side are ninth in the world Twenty20 rankings.
Yet, Mal Meninga has a problem of another kind.
What does the Queensland Origin coach do with superstar fullback Ben Barba, winner of every meaningful rugby league award in 2012?
Barba has been a standout for two seasons, but has never got a look-in to play an Origin game for the all-conquering Maroons, because mighty Mal has an embarrassment of riches to wear the No 1 jersey with Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Matt Bowen as well as Barba, a dynamic quartet.
Slater summed up Barba best, saying he does things on the field Slater himself can’t do. There can be no better salute from an all-time great custodian.
So Meninga must pick Barba, which would force Slater onto the wing, leaving Inglis at centre, with Bowen left on the outer, unless he too claims a wing spot.
The two current wingers Darius Boyd and Brent Tate haven’t done too much wrong, but despite that, if Meninga launched a backline of Barba, Slater, Inglis, Bowen, Justin Hodges, Johnathan Thurston, and Cooper Cronk on NSW next year, new Blues coach Laurie Daley will have nightmares for months trying to fathom how to stop a tidal wave of talent.
Any one of those seven can appear from nowhere and have support from all directions. It would have to be rated one of the most exciting and most devastating backlines in rugby league history.
And it’s no coincidence that every one of that backline, with the exception of Hodges, is still playing a vital role at the business end of the NRL finals series.
Cowboys Thurston and Bowen will give reigning premiers Manly many a headache tonight in their sudden-death semi at Allianz Stadium, but crack Manly fullback Brett Stewart will have something to say about that.
Rabbitoh Inglis will do the same from fullback against the in-form Raiders tomorrow night at ANZ Stadium, who will retaliate with another class fullback in Josh Dugan.
Next Friday night the Slater-Cronk inspired Melbourne Storm, with a lot of help from skipper-hooker Cameron Smith, take on the winner of the Manly-Cowboys clash, and next Saturday night Barba will be back on duty for the premiership contending Bulldogs up against the winner of the Rabbitohs-Raiders game.
But whichever club wins the big one, 2012 will always be remembered as the year of the brilliant fullbacks, especially Ben Barba.
ceboss
Guest
I cant see QLD using Barba on the bench seeing Smith is an 80min player and its proven that its very effective to have a bench full of forwards in origin.
ceboss
Guest
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ceboss
Guest
well the article almost made out that qlds backline was untouchable and i just thought i would mention that they are not as invincible as everyone thinks. THey are an iconic team and there is no denying it.
mushi
Roar Guru
thanks not sure what that has to do with playing three fullbacks?
ceboss
Guest
there is no denying the talent in the maroons backline but i think some credit should b given to nsw for keeping very well intouch with them this year n forcing qld to win by a dropgoal after a controversial hodges try. qld.cant deny that the refs played a major part in this years origin and.the whinging coming from thurston,tate,bowen and masses of bronco fans confirms the refs have been playing a major part in denying teams wins.
Adsa
Guest
You cannot leave Tate out, he may not be as flash as Barba, but he is a hard, tough, straight runner, sold defender, has size and he jobbed Bird a good one on the melon in game 3. Maybe 2004 i think Qld tried Whesser, Bowen and Slater- 3 in form fullbacks as the back three and got hammered by the size of NSW outside backs so keep Tate on the wing. Barba would be handy on the bench.
Robbo
Guest
Very good article and just illustrates how much depth and quality RL has in this country. Any other sport in Australia would kill to have a player of Barbas quality in the side yet he can not find a spot in the Maroons side.
Matt F
Roar Guru
I'd agree with this. Imagine Barba coming off the bench with 20-30 minutes to go against a team which had had 50-60 minutes of Origin draining their energy. Scary In a few years time he'd end up replacing Slater at fullback, just like Cronk did with Lockyer
mushi
Roar Guru
I was thinking about this the other day with the Maroons in mind, is it possible to go out side of the box and play with an attacking line that features three full backs and no wingers? So have a left, right and centre back that chime in, sometimes they would pop up on the wing to give width but wouldn’t be locked in. My first thoughts against this are that it would be more tiring, but you can offset that by rotating who plays mid field and who plays left and right especially on kick returns. Second is that it would require some communication and adjustment from the halves and the three number 1s. It would compress the line somewhat but with the option to expand it quickly.
Matt
Guest
To be effective his only real starting position is fullback, and you'd be crazy to remove slater. Possibly off the bench as a utility similar to how they used Cronk previously.
Marc Johno
Guest
Maybe JON could AGAIN overpay for some of the QLD Origin backline. The losing QLD Origin back three of 2001 turned up 2 years later as the Wallaby back three in the 2003 RWC final (leaving Roff on then bench). Whilst a disaster then (especially Wendell), I think Cronk, Barba and Inglis would be easy transitions to rugby (Cronk because it's his background, Inglis and Barba just because they are so bloody good). Would make Beale's lack of professionalism (and as a result, now pace and spask) even more apparent........
Maroon Blood
Guest
Tate hasn't done much wrong?? He was Qld's players player from this years series and was nothing short of outstanding. Plus there's that Yow Yeh bloke who can play a bit to come back from injury. Almost makes me feel sorry for NSW..........almost.
Alex Scott
Guest
Barba needs to be in the team but no way it should be at fullback, Barba might be in great form but Slater is the best fullback since Churchill, Barba should come off the bench, show he has what it takes for Origin then he'll Get his turn at FB in a couple of years.
Pot Stirrer
Guest
Barba has defintley had a break out season and ive watched many bulldog games just to watch him play, however it will be interesting if he can be as dynamic next year. Hope for the dogs sake hes not a one season wonder like J.Hayne, who is still good but nothing like he was in 09. imo thats what so good about slater, he has been exillerating for 3 years and i wouldnt change his position for anybody.
PhilM
Roar Rookie
QLD are spoilt for choice and it's a good problem for them to have. I doubt Mal would move Slater from fullback, he's proven, reliable and one of the all time greats, I think it would be Barba on the wing..
KombiPhil
Guest
Therein lies the problem David - I rest my case! Apologies for diverting the thread.
David Lord
Expert
KombiPhil, George Bailey is no Chappell, Border, Bradman etc, Mickey Young calls the shots.
KombiPhil
Guest
One minor correction David - cricket teams are defined by their captains, not their coaches (because captains run the ship - or should). We refer to Ian Chappell's side, Allan Border's team, the great sides of Armstrong, Woodfull, Bradman and Benaud. NOT the sides of Tim Nielsen or John Buchanen. So it's George Bailey's side, not Mickey Arthur's. Keep coaches out of running cricket.