There was a wonderful article in Thursday’s The Australian by Bret Harris, titled ‘All Black giant who shook the world’.
Harris begins, “There have only been a handful of players who have created a ‘seismic shift’ in world rugby and Jonah Lomu is on top of the list.”
The Roar expert Spiro Zavos compared Lomu to the legendary Greek warrior Achilles, who chose a short life full of excitement and glory, rather than a long but tedious one.
Former ARU chief executive John O’Neill, who had a leading role in the formation of professional rugby and SANZAR in 1996, said that when negotiating with News Corp, the only person chairman Rupert Murdoch talked about was Jonah Lomu.
Lomu’s impact at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, along with the iconic photo of South African president Nelson Mandela handing the cup to Springboks skipper Francois Pienaar, penetrated the consciousness of non-rugby folk around the world.
Lomu’s passing at age 40 is too young, his life too brief, yet his impact was massive, and his legacy will stand for at least a century before the passage of time slowly erodes the memory of him.
This had me thinking, who are the players and coaches who have revolutionised the way rugby was played? Perhaps none matched the shift created by Lomu, but many have had a profound and significant affect.
The following list is by no means complete, and I am enlisting the memory and knowledge of fellow Roarers to flesh out the bare bones.
In a broad, opening overview, the All Blacks of 1905-06, dubbed ‘The Originals’, played such a breathtaking brand of running rugby that they immediately gave a clue to the breakaway code of rugby league in how to differentiate their new sport.
Another New Zealander, Vic Cavagnah, is credited with fine tuning the ‘flatline alignment’ in the 1930s and ’40s, that was so successfully used by the Ella brothers, Randwick district club, Waratahs and Wallabies in the 1980s.
However, the Scots of the border region of Scotland claim they were the original architects of ‘flatline alignment’, back in the 1880s. Johnnie Wallace, after a stint with the Bravehearts, brought the concept back to Australia, and it was a fundamental plank of the Waratahs play on their 1927-28 tour of the UK, Ireland and France.
Dr Danie Craven, the legendary Sprinbboks player, captain, coach, administrator and statesman, gave the world the seven pillars of rugby – scrum, lineout, ruck, maul, passing/catching, kicking (all types) and tackling.
But specifically, who were the players responsible for changing the way their position was viewed?
Before addressing each position individually, let’s honour Englishman William Wavell Wakefield, a utility forward of the 1920s, who towards the end of that decade, began formalising specific positions for each forward.
Prior to this formalisation, players would tend to form up at a lineout or scrum as they arrived, and not necessarily in a position that they were best suited.
Fullback
All Blacks legend George Nepia was the first to demonstrate the attacking gifts inherent in the position. Prior to Nepia, and for a long time afterwards, the fullback was seen as the custodian, a mainly defensive player in the last line.
Nepia changed this perception with his counter-attacking. However, it wasn’t until the late 1960s that the brilliant Bok HO de Villiers finally changed this perception. He was at the vanguard of a modern band of attacking fullbacks, with the likes of Welshman JPR Williams hot on his heels.
(Apparently it helped also at the time if you had a bunch of initials at the beginning of your name.)
Winger
Immediately before Lomu, Wallaby David Campese demonstrated how effectively a player could come off his wing and wreak havoc elsewhere. In the 1950s, Irishman Tony O’Reilly was the prototype of the future huge-but-still-frighteningly-fast winger.
Centre
At the turn of the previous century, Welshmen Monkey Gould and Gwyn Nicholls were superstars of rugby, thrilling spectators with their exhilarating backline play.
Since then there have been many outstanding exponents of backline play, but I can’t think of a single player who has revolutionised the position.
Flyhalf
Australians of a certain generation marvelled at the skill of Mark Ella in setting his backline alight. But of all the positions on the field, the flyhalf is the one that can vary enormously according to a country’s culture, or a team’s personnel and requirements.
Of the modern greats, Dan Carter has demonstrated an exceptional skill level in all facets of flyhalf play – positioning, passing, running, tactical and goal kicking, tackling, and tactical acumen.
Scrumhalf
For most of history, the scrumhalfs have been outstanding technicians of the position. But Welshman Gareth Edwards probably changed that in the late ’60s and ’70s. Apart from a stunning pass either side, he added tactical kicking, and running often from the scrumbase.
Eightman
In the 1950s, Bok Hennie Muller stunned the rugby world with his pace for a forward, running like a greyhound. He set a new benchmark that was probably passed by Zinzan Brooke in the ’90s, when he showed outrageously dexterous skills for a forward, while remaining tough.
Flanker
Dave Gallagher, captain of the 1905-06 Originals, with his ‘fly breakaway’ position off the scrum, was considered illegal by the British and Irish aficionados of the day, but it was innovative and revolutionary.
In the 1980s, fellow countryman Michael Jones gave a new meaning to all-round athleticism, while the now-retired giant Richie McCaw has taken all aspects of flanker play to a previously unseen, stratospheric standard.
Lock
In the ’50s and ’60s, the names of Colin Meads (NZ) and Frik du Preez (SA) were bywords for hard, tough, mobile, energetic and uncompromising tight forward play.
In more recent times, Wallaby John Eales demonstrated an amazing range of high-level skills, including goal kicking, while Englishman Martin Johnson, Bok Victor Matfield and All Black Brad Thorn have shown how differently, yet effectively the position can be played.
Prop
Obviously the dark knights familiar with this dark art are in the best position to provide the ‘guns’ of this position. In the on-going legend of All Blacks versus Springboks Tests, the mighty adversaries of 1956 loom large, Kevin Skinner and Ian Clarke (All Blacks) and Hennie Bekker and Chris Koch (Boks).
The neutralisation of the Bok powermen by their counterparts had a significant effect on the All Blacks winning the series. Since then, arguably, Bok Os du Randt (loose-head) and All Black Olo Brown (tight-head) might be the best we’ve seen.
Hooker
Like the scrumhalf position, the hookers have mainly been fine technicians. All Blacks legend Sean Fitzpatrick probably was the first to change the position in the 1980s, bringing a mobility and handling dexterity previously unseen. Fitzpatrick played like an extra backrower.
This has been a very quick perusal down memory lane. Hopefully readers can help fill in the blanks.
Mad Mick
Guest
I recall an Irish Center Jerry Walsh playing for the Lions against NSW in Sydney kicking with instep. I also recall watching Scottish player Ken Scotland kicking with instep and I personally had a lot to do with Pierre Villpreaux a French fullback who kicked with instep. All these players predated Barry John. In addition I think Jackie Kyle, Cliff Morgan Dai Watkins were all outstanding out halves so I don't think Barry John was in any way superior to those players and of course i don't think he was superior to Phil Bennett. Regarding game changers well I think the closest we have had is Ken Catchpole. There has never been a better cover defender in the game.
redandblack
Guest
All of these guys have made the game great with their power, pace and passion - not to mention pride, blood sweat and tears. But I'd like to mention a few other blokes and moments - Jerry Collins attending to Colin Charvis, Sonny Bill - consoling the enemy and giving his medal away, Steven Moores classy post match speech, The French in '11 insisting the AB's play in Black, Cheika giving the Pom's back their dressing room, and just about everything de Villiers ever did. There's plenty more - and if the other blokes make the game great then these guys make it truly wonderful.
Crusader Fan
Guest
Great article Sheek....any room for a great defending winger of all time!....i.e. Brian Lima. I remember Lomu was asked once about who is the hardest winger he faced on the field - he straight away mentioned Brian Lima as he reckon he's fearless.
wardad
Guest
Pitches and weather often determined goalkicking ,I can recall the ABs trying to find a semi dry piece of turf for Fergie McCormick to kick a penalty from .
sheek
Roar Guru
Abnutta, The fault is mine. Nepia is so revered, I thought he must have been a dazzling counter-attacker.
Muzzo
Guest
Yep, I can,He, Laidlaw was a total failure, at that part of his game, & from memory, that was the challenge at McLean Park, up against Kel Tremain's very good team. Now there is, or was a terrifically great loose forward. Can always remember both him & Waka Nathan, ( the Black Panther), on the side's of the AB scrum. In their day they were fantastic. As you say mate, we are showing our age. Haha. All the best. Cheers.
Dublin Dave
Guest
I suspect that rugby ball technology was the key driver in the adoption of a "round the corner" style of kicking. It also had, I suggest the biggest effect on the number of points being scored in matches. As balls got lighter, more water resistant and kept their shape better they encouraged kickers to adopt a more controlled and accurate technique where previously the requirement was just to welly this sodden piece of misshapen leather as hard as you could and hope you had sufficient oomph to get it over the bar. when Don Clarke kicked six penalty goals to beat the Lions in 1959 it was regarded as a phenomenal kicking performance. Nowadays if a kicker got six chances and missed a few he'd get the shepherd's hook.
Observer
Guest
I agree totally with you that Laidlaw was the better halfback and possibly the best passer of a ball ever. But Going is probably remembered as a running halfback while Laidlaw was great at feeding his backs - that's why he was picked as the No. 1. In the pantheon of New Zealand halfbacks, Laidlaw would be above Super Sid. Funnily enough when comparing halfbacks, Graeme Bachop had a great pass with an action which relied on a flick so styles are different. As for Laidlaw, do you remember the time when he tried a dropped goal (unsuccessfully) when Otago were challenging Hawkes Bay for the Ranfurly Shield? In my view, great passer, average runner and poor drop kicker!!! Have a good one. Pssst we are both unfortunately showing our age here!
Muzzo
Guest
Well Observer, I don't have that much faith in some media reporting, as was proven at that time, as quite a few do remember the exploits of a particular "poison pen", that toured with All Black touring parties, & was known for his confrontational style of interviews which actually upset many in the team environment. But in reference to Laidlaw & Going, can you then explain as to why, Laidlaw, always got the nod when both players were available? Sure when Laidlaw, moved off shore to Oxford in England, Going did step , quite comfortably, into the top job. It must be remembered, too, that Laidlaw played his first test as a 19 year old against France, on the 63-64 European tour, in which at the time he was understudy to Kevin Briscoe. To say that Laidlaw had a "laboured" running style, mate, is your opinion,which I don't agree with, as what I have previously said I have seen both players up against each other in the, old, inter Island games, North v South, & Laidlaw, with Earl Kirton, on his outside, did have it all over "Super Sid", especially in the running game. It may also be remembered that Rapson, in his time was fairly critical of anything, south of Cook Straight, & that's not arrogance, it's fact, mate. Cheers.
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Underhanded ...underarm.....
wardad
Guest
Werent the French in the first RWC still throwing into the lineout in a double underhanded motion ,typical Frenchies with that kind of behaviour though eh ?
Lorry
Guest
I thought you kiwis were supposed to be humble?! Goldie's most famous moment was getting tackled by gregan. You cannot compare him to an all time legend Campo. How many tried did he score from chipping and regathering? Goldie is a Drew Mitchell, decent player but not a great
Observer
Guest
It is one thing to express an opinion but please don't belittle yourself by saying my comments are untrue on what is a subjective matter. My views on Going being a better runner are generally widely accepted. Quote from the New Zealand Herald writer Bevan Rapson, August 1, 2011: "A glance at the record book - and, better still, a session spent watching television recordings of Going's performances - make it clear he deserves his place in the front rank of our greatest All Blacks. His electrifying runs, backed up by loose forwards like Ian Kirkpatrick and Alex Wylie, helped define the era in which he played. The debates about his merits can be traced back as far as Going's early rivalry with Chris Laidlaw, possessor of an exceptional pass but not a patch on Going as a runner. It was Laidlaw's unavailability through injury that opened the way for Going to play his first test against Australia in Wellington in 1967, and his poor form that produced another opportunity for the young North Aucklander against France in Paris in 1967 when Going scored the first of his 10 test tries." You may recall Laidlaw had a rather laboured running style due to his muscular build - I recall the Otago halfback being left for dead by the Southland halfback Donald Hay so I would not rate Laidlaw as an outstanding sniper. Do you consider the quote from Rapson to be an accurate description of Laidlaw when he describes Going thus?: "Super Sid" Going was a one-off, a rare package of speed, strength, elusiveness and tactical cunning, held in high regard around the rugby world as a match-winning halfback of the highest quality" When expressing an opinion remember that is it your view, which you entitled to, but the untrue comment is bordering on arrogance and is implausible.
RobC
Roar Guru
cool Muzzo. Gonna watch a few 60s replays.
Muzzo
Guest
I think Jibba has offered a good enough explanation,Lorry,..... Like Jonah, 10.8 over a hundred, & Campo? 64 test tries against top quality opposition? Yeh he did score some against the AB's, who were the others? Cheers
abnutta
Roar Guru
On the contrary, it'd be more difficult to find evidence to refute their quality. The record speaks for itself. 60 matches for the All Blacks (36 for Hunter and 24 for Deans) and 69 tries (48 for Hunter and 21 for Deans) not to mention the truckloads of tries scored by the wingers and fullbacks on their outsides. Isn't this what you'd want from a midfield combination? Not to say that I would claim them as our finest midfield, as I tend more towards Nicholls and Cooke, but like I say, a fine argument could be made for Hunter and Deans.
moaman
Roar Guru
" A fine agument could be made that this centre pairing could be considered the best the All Blacks have ever had" Have fun digging up some eye-witness corroboration! ;-)
Jibba Jabba
Roar Guru
Well lorry, you keep trucking along with campo in your team, and we'll have Jonah... good luck...
moaman
Roar Guru
Andy Irvine (?) I think definitely used to kick penalties (for touch) from the ground too; I adopted 'round -the -corner' kicking sometime soon after the '71 Lions tour because I was kicking goals that way for my college (high school) team in '73. I have a hazy recollection of Bob Hiller kicking with the front-on style on that Lions ('71) tour---certainly McCormack and Mains after him,Joe Karam too,all kicked front on still. In fact the old boots had squared toes!
Lorry
Guest
Muzzo, how did Campo score 64 test tries? Against top quality opposition. As nick farr Jones said, without campo the wbs wouldn't have won the WC. Also, Jonah did dominate Campo usually when they played but it was the last 2 years of Campos career, he was 34 and Jonah was dominating every winger at that point. When you say skills set, what do you mean? Campo was safer under the high ball, was more evasive, was a great kicker, and could turn quicker. Lomu was powerful, had a great fend and better offload than campo and a better defender. Equally great, but different.