The forward pack is all done, so now it’s time to turn our attention to picking the backline for our greatest Wallabies team of the Super Rugby era, starting with the two halves.
Starting with halfback, and there are plenty of options to choose from, from George Gregan to Will Genia to… well, actually that’s it.
While we’ve been trying to give as many different options as possible for all the positions, scrumhalf really is the epitome of a two-horse race. Yes, there have been other no.9s for the Wallabies this era – Chris Whitaker, Luke Burgess, Nick Phipps and Nic White all come to mind – but Gregan and Genia truly stand out.
Consider this: George Gregan made his international debut on June 18, 1994. Including that match against Italy, Australia have since played 320 Tests. One of Gregan and Genia has started in 226 of them, and played from the bench a further 23 times. There have only been a handful of years since ’94 when someone else started at halfback more regularly than one of them.
So, Gregan or Genia it is.
There’s a bit more variety where flyhalves are concerned, although Stephen Larkham’s monopoly on the no.10 jersey from the late 1990s until 2007 means the other options came from after ‘Bernie’ had retired: Matt Giteau, Berrick Barnes, and yes, if you want to keep arguing about whether Quade Cooper was better than Bernard Foley, they’re both there too.
So those are the options. Let us know which of them should get the nod in the form and comments below, and come back tomorrow to pick our centre pairing.
Gepetto
Roar Rookie
My impression was that if Berrick didn't think he could make a break himself or put someone through a gap, he kicked it away. He didn't pass the ball to see if the outside centre or wingers could beat their opponent and the Reds had talent out wide. His kicking was poor like an aimless rugby league sixth tackle kick, but not as far.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I’d pick Latham at fb so it matters in my team. That said, I was making the point that I consider Larkham a much better player than Barnes. Not very elegantly apparently
Red Rob
Roar Rookie
Quade was a better playmaker. He also more often overplayed his hand. With the quality of those guys outside him he probably would have underplayed it more, trusted the others more. Mick Taylor was the best guitarist the Stones had, made their best period of albums. But it didn't and couldn't last. Keef prefers Ronnie. Baby, got no flavour, fever in the funk house now. I don't even know what that means.
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Agree that Larkham is the obvious choice, but imagine Horan, Herbert/Little/Mortlock, Latham, Tune and Roff running off passes thrown by Quade Cooper?
Gray-Hand
Roar Rookie
Matt Burke is going to end up being selected at 15, with Eales as a backup, so Barnes won’t be required for goal kicking.
Joe
Roar Rookie
For me the Gregan/Genia question is like an MJ v Lebron question and that means in the end I'll take Gregan. His competitiveness and winners mentality and leadership gives him a far bigger edge. Basically if given a choice between prime Gregan and prime Genia in my team I'll take Gregan every time.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Lets not forget that all important aspect of halfback play…sledging and theres none better than – “4 more Years!!”..G.Gregan.
Joe
Roar Rookie
Gregan/Larkham....not even close.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Burke seems a no brainer to me. I'd rather have Stirling Mortlock kicking instead of Latham. Latham seemed great in Super Rugby but not so good for the Wallabies. Anyway Burke FB, Tune and Folau on the wings. Mortlock on the bench.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Very very easy. A more interesting question would be Gregan & Larkham or Farr-Jones & Lynagh. As a Kiwi I'd go for FJ and Lynagh, but there isn't much in it.
MitchO
Guest
Genia at his best was I think a better half back because I want my half back as an attacker who can defend. Genia's defence was good enough. But I have to pick Gregan coz I owe him for a certain tackle.
Beedy Eyes
Guest
Genia Cooper
jeznez
Roar Guru
Yeah, that's a fair call - can imagine Genia's running strength being even more deadly surrounded by stronger players. Gregan's indomitable will, his D and his leadership give him the edge for me.
Digby
Roar Guru
interesting, as I see it the other way round. I guess a bit like speculating whether Noriega would have dealt with changes in scrum technique, I think of what Genia would have been like playing in Gregans era surrounded by the same quality of player. To me, Genia the better player. Certainly not disputing Gregans class however :thumbup:
Digby
Roar Guru
Genia and Larkham for me this round.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
I think Barnes was a better goal kicker than Larkham but Bernie a better defender, passer, runner, organiser and was first choice starter throughout his career once switched to 10. No contest
Morsie
Guest
Lynagh could kick goals, that was the only place he was superior, and maybe Larkham could kick them as well - he could certainly kick field goals when it really mattered......... Larkham any day of the week for me, although Lynagh did show great composure in that test in Ireland. But we may as well have included Nick Farr Jones, he played at the same time as Eales. His pass off the ground was a thing of real beauty.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Little has to be considered strongly.
G Len N
Roar Rookie
Slattery and Lynagh. Have I got the brief wrong? Sorry.
Oblonsky‘s Other Pun
Roar Guru
He was the more skilled playmaker, but was he as good overall as Lynagh?