It has been established by general consensus that, in 2016, the ‘Giteau Law’ flopped here in Australia.
And while every country that hasn’t been picking foreign-based players points to this as a key in building their squads, particularly in terms of continuity, availability and conditioning, why don’t we have a look at which international players could have made a difference to their respective teams in the past end-of-year tours.
They may be retired from international rugby, their countries may have a “no selection” policy or they may have just been overlooked, but let’s see what we can come up with.
South Africa
As a South African, this was a dismal season by all accounts. The Springboks went into the end of year tour without a fetcher and had different centre pairings in just about every Test of the year.
Their handling was poor, ball retention poor, defence surprisingly very poor throughout the year and so here are two players that could have made a difference.
Frans Steyn
The 29-year-old may lack pace after a few leg injuries. But what he does not lack is physical presence, something which South Africa have traditionally loved in their 12.
An uncompromising defender and hard runner, he also brings a touch of unpredictability. He’s not scared to ruffle a few feathers or to attempt the miracle offloads.
Although these can often look ugly, he’s been coached by Jake White long enough that these rarely happen in a part of the field that can hurt the team too badly. South Africa desperately need someone to at least try and spark something on attack.
And let’s not forget that boot, used less nowadays to protect the knees, which could have come in handy with both Elton Jantjies and Pat Lambie not exactly owning the kicking game this year.
Incidentally, Jake is out of contract at the end of the year, and still rates Frans as South Africa’s Sonny-Bill Williams. Allister Coetzee may well be out of contract at a similar time. Could we see Jake White bringing a notably slimmer looking Frans Steyn back to the Springboks in 2017?
Bismarck Du Plessis
The South African selection policy is sometimes baffling. Here we have Bismark who played almost 13 years solid in South Africa, including 79 Test caps, and in his first year overseas he seems to be a forgotten man.
Meanwhile, Fancois Louw, JP Pieterson, Johan Goosen, Willie Le Roux and Duanne Vermeulen can all get called up with far less time served in South Africa than Bismarck.
Without a fetcher, how much wouldn’t they have loved his abrasive style? Another player being coached by Jake for a short while longer at Montpelier, could we see him again in 2017?
Although it would make sense, as South Africa are clearly not scared to select foreign-based players, I still have a sneaky suspicion we won’t see it happen.
England
Steffon Armitage
After an unbeaten year, there’s not too much tinkering for Eddie Jones to do. But how much would he have hated having to call up Tom Woods, the man he’d previously called “distinctly average”? All the while, the 2014 European player of the year was sitting watching it all on television less than 100 kilometres away.
Actually, this is Eddie Jones we’re talking about, that’s just water off a duck’s back.
Argentina
Juan Fernández Lobbe
You have to commend Argentina on their stance taken regarding foreign-based players, particularly with only one Super Rugby team. When you watch them play it seems crazy that they are ranked number nine in the world but this team has let a few close ones slip through their grasp this year, particularly on the end of year tour.
You just feel that if they could have retained a bit more experience, there could have been a few more big wins on the cards. Discipline or poor decisions let them down at key moments – a few old calmer heads could have made the world of difference.
We’re talking about forwards such as Manuel Carizza, Juan Figallo and Mariano Galarza, but for me it has to be their inspirational ex-captain Juan Fernández Lobbe who could have made the difference this year.
At 35 it would have definitely been one last hurrah but with very tight losses to Wales and Scotland, his impact, even if only as a super-sub, could have been telling.
New Zealand
Any playing lock with international experience
Again not too much tinkering (or any) required after another record-breaking year for comfortably the world’s number one team.
But how many times have we heard coaches say that they are not worrying about the opposition in their preparations but rather focussing on what they want to do well as a team? When Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano all missed out on the Test against Ireland in Chicago, this was a weakness an astute coach like Joe Schmidt couldn’t ignore.
At that stage, Steve Hansen had no choice but to throw Patrick Tuipulotu in the deep end while having to force some sort of experience into the second row via Jerome Kaino.
To be honest, I don’t know what he could have done differently. Not even Shane Warne’s plastic surgeon could have made old warhorses like Ali Williams and Brad Thorn young enough to face that sort of test.
But it just goes to show that even the greatest rugby nation can have their playing depth stretched too far at the end of a long season. A season which all starts again in just over two months!
ukkiwi
Guest
I'm with you on Bismark - the man is a legend and as a kiwi I can't stand him - he's so bloody good. He adds so much to a game and is one of the best hookers I've seen - he's like Andrew Hore x 10 and he epitomizes the SA game.
ukkiwi
Guest
I think starting Barrett would have been the right call, not so much for the lineout, I think the lineout woes of that day belonged to Mr Cole. But for the difference it made to the bench. Jerome is one of the world's premier 6's (can't immediately think of anyone better) and Squire, at this stage of his career, is a sub. Moving Kaino in to lock would have been an option at any point in the game if the young Barrett wasn't coping and bringing on a fresh Squire. Starting with both Kaino and Squire slightly tipped the balance/impact of the AB's bench which is where the AB's win games. While it may not have made any difference, I think starting with Kaino, Barrett, Tuipulotu with Squire on the bench would have been the smarter move. I don't think however NZ would have had any benefit in pulling out players from the past for this tour. The current crop are developing nicely and winning while they do so. Actually - Maybe Richie.
Glen Gavin
Guest
For the Boks, Marcel Coetzer, this losey has it all all. Heinich Brussouw out and out fetcher a mungrel dog. Duane "Thor" - Captain and best 8 we have. There is your 6, 7, 8 and captain. Combo. Flo off the bench. Bismark at 2, there is only one battleship 2nd captain, a few young guns behind him. Julian Redlinghuis who bust his neck this year will be missed, he had great potential @ 3. We don't have an international 9 currently, we have a few youngsters and hougie, playing out of position. I would say this jersey is up for grabs. We need a settled combo at 12/13. Jan Serfontein will be back, best junior world player, can cover both. OFS/LIONS have good combo's to work outside Pollard/Lambie/Goosen @10. SA have alot of locks all quality. Please play them at lock. And then I can list coaches overseas all missed from the setup.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Utterly wrong. The GIteau Law ONLY exists for Genia and he is the single beneficial result of it, but it is crazy to have a law like this for one player. It would instead be better to persuade Genia to return to Australia! Absolute MADNESS!!!!!!!!!!!
What!
Guest
The Giteau law flopped? Genia wasnt good? Well thats news to me. Whereas all the non-Giteau law selections were perfect? So in conclusion...BS, the Giteau law didnt flop. What is it with people just making things up? They have a clear bias. A Giteau law player gets injured or fails and its "The Giteau law flopped". However if a normal selection fails or gets injured, well, thats normal and OK. The Giteau law worked well and will continue to do so. Armitage would not qualify for the Giteau law but did qualify for Englands 'special circumstance' law. They still didnt pick him.
Graham Spalding
Roar Rookie
Yes, had considered Brussow in the initial version where if you don't have Bismarck you'd think it would only make sense to have a Brussow. Fat chance of Etsebeth being ruled out (at least I hope not)
cuw
Guest
Steyn i think is refusing to play due to a money issue.
cuw
Guest
he played the mitre 10 final with a heel injury . the problem is him injured and I think Broadhurst is concussed. that means there are no experienced tall boys - only shorties like Barret and Fifita.
cuw
Guest
but how many of them will fit the 60 test criterion? otherwise the first two guys i would get is Galarza and Carrizza, the two 2nd rowers of 6'8" size. atm the argies dont have any tall timber in the lineout , without LAVANINI
cuw
Guest
DC will struggle to play test rugger - becoz of his shattered knees. racing are managing him lot , ; becoz there is noone in Europe who can manage a game better than him. but the problem is everytime he gets hit around the legs, there is a chance he will have to be stretchered off.... Nonu is the one who is in form and still test class. noone else who can fulfill the Giteau rule ; Piutau has not played 60 tests.
piru
Guest
I suspect Carter will be a coach one day - but then who knows, he could easily retire and never have to work again.
shaun
Guest
Carters leadership and control alone would have him in the squad. I could see him starting, if only for the first say 35-55 minutes, then Barrett coming on and tearing up.
Daire Thornton
Guest
Ireland: Ian Madigan - outhalf. Back up to Sexton at the world cup before going to France JJ Hanrahan - outhalf. Arguably Ireland's best up and coming out half yet to be capped. Marty Moore - tighthead prop. Not missed too much given Furlong has had a great November but he remains one of Ireland's best tight head props.
davSA
Guest
You've nailed it Mortdale Mike . He also leaves out Frans Steyn (another Jake White favourite) . Also the Du Plessis siblings played for years with the Beast forming the worlds most formidable front row. It makes no sense to break that up. I however remain mystified at the continuous omission of Heinrich Broussouw . The best fetcher SA has produced in many years. With Etsebeth going overseas next year will Coetzee also rule him out.. I wonder..
Graham Spalding
Roar Rookie
I don't think Carter would be on my list either but not for his skills. Along with Jean DV he was the unluckiest world cup player and it seemed that was what drove him. He could be pretty ordinary in later years, working back from injury, but peaked properly in 2015 when it mattered. Now that he's done that what would be his drive? Hence he's retired ☺ But this is a what if piece and I am neither a psychologist nore an elite sportsman, so who knows
Mortdale Mike
Guest
It seems interesting that Duane Vermeulen and Bryan Habana of Toulon and Goosen of Racing were selected but not the Du Plessis brothers of Montpellier. Coetzee may have been reluctant to bring in players that were playing under his old 'boss' in Jake White (Coetzee was the backline coach in the years when Jake White was Springbok coach), perhaps for fear of being shown up in relation to a very successful coach. And once Vermeulen complained about the Bok set-up, stating that everyone was pulling in different directions, he was no longer selected.
piru
Guest
Very hard to compare Carter with Barrett. Barrett has the pace, Carter has the vision. Carter has the boot and the pass, Barrett the youth and enthusiasm. Barrett can tear a team apart with a yard of space, Carter will put players through a gap no one else knew was there. Imo Carter is still the best 10 in the world by a long way, Barrett may surpass him, but hasn't yet.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
I don't even know if Carter makes it any more. Many people seemed to think Cruden was the pack in 2015, and I think Barrett is definitely playing at a higher level in 2016 than Carter reached the last couple of years. It'd be interesting.
Celtic334
Guest
South Africa desperately missed Bismark, he's close to my all time favourite no.2. The rest of the available players i am not sure how dramatically more they would actually improve the team. Perhaps Vermuelen? Argentina is hit by not picking players more than the rest. Imhoff is a top 5 player in his position in the world (to my eyes anyway), they desperately could of used some of the quality tight 5 players running around Europe. The Newcastle 12 Socino is the form 12 in the premiership and would dramatically improve their midfield. I'd love to see them relax the rules and pick 3/4 players from outside Argentina. That way you are only picking the top class players. I'd dare say having Galazo (lock), Imhoff (wing), Socino (12) and Ayerza (prop) would of seen them go 4/4 in the recent int window. New Zealand, they don't need anymore help. Australia, they only players i want to see selected next season are people that are Beale (desperately missed his versatility and impact from the bench) and Genia (clearly a class above the other no.9's). The rest if they are better its very marginal, so happy to reward those for staying at home.
Jeffrey
Guest
Don't know what Hansen could have done differently? Play a recognised lock for one. Scott Barret was on tour so they should have started the game with him and PT. Not sure about Bird's injury status, but he would have been an improvement on Kaino if fit as he's a fantastic lineout tactician.