Barnstorming back-rowers win you NRL premierships.
All the focus on completing sets has contributed to some of these potential superstars being stifled.
When you watch Viliame Kikau against the Melbourne Storm a few weeks ago, you see the value of such a player.
Most pundits had him underachieving last year and yet the Panthers still won the competition. Now he is in arguably career-best form and they are virtually unstoppable.
When he busts through on the edge of the ruck and then manages a perfectly synchronised offload to Jarome Luai for a sensational try, that is as good as rugby league gets.
People pay money to go and see this kind of action rather than endless hit-up after hit-up and set completion after set completion.
We can go back in history to see the value of barnstorming back-rowers.
Both Steve Menzies and Noel Cleal were essential parts of separate premiership-winning Manly Sea Eagles teams.
Bradley Clyde won two Clive Churchill medals for best on ground for the Canberra Raiders in grand finals, including a premiership.
Ironically Sonny Bill Williams was denied this medal despite herculean second-half efforts in the Roosters’ 2013 grand final triumph over Manly.
I say ironically because Bob McCarthy was one of the judges. He himself was a sensational running back-rower.
McCarthy and the other three judges were of the widely shared opinion that SBW had a quiet first half.
Jason Taumalolo is an absolute wrecking ball. He was a crucial part of the Cowboys’ 2015 premiership win. He is again a central part of the Cowboys’ climb up the ladder this year.
Some coaches should encourage any back-rower they have who could play this role to flip the occasional offload.
The player would need the freedom to be able to cause a dropped ball from time to time.
Imagine a fantasy scenario where the NRL allowed numbers 11 and 12 two failed offloads a game where the drop ball was overruled.
Innovative thinking, eh! It brings back the crowds and the money.
When the barnstorming back-rower makes a successful break, the player receiving the offload will also often have the opportunity to place the ball under the posts, seeing the defensive line has been fully broken.
Fullbacks these days are often up in the line so this may be the best time for an offload. It goes without saying the valuable guarantee of a certain extra two points from the conversion.
A lot of focus these days goes understandably on the spine. Numbers one, seven and nine are pivotal to all teams.
Barnstorming back-rowers cannot be a thing of the past if rugby league is to continue to flourish.
These unique individuals have the extraordinary ability to hold down a tough-guy role in the ruck and then be an attacking weapon also.
They are similar to a cricket all-rounder. How hard is it to find a genuine one of these? Conversely, how absolutely golden is it when you have one?
Currently Luciana Leilua at the Wests Tigers potentially fits the bill and could evolve into another Jason Taumalolo.
Of course David Fifita at the Gold Coast Titans qualifies for the title of barnstorming back-rower and hopefully gets the chance to realise all his promise going forward.
You can also take a centre like Gene Miles and convert him into an edge-running wrecking ball towards the end of his career when his speed drops off a touch.
In his current form, Viliame Kikau could ask any price from any potential new club and is as valuable as any spine player.
Kids all over the Penrith valley and beyond are asking their mums for bleached-blond mowhawks when they visit the barbers. He is an excitement machine.
Of course, the Bulldogs next year will have the chance to shape their team around him. Penrith will sorely miss him.
Encouraging these types of players brings back another blast from the past: the support player.
How valuable was Terry Lamb to the success of the Bulldogs in the 1980s and ’90s. Johnny Gibbs was another player at Manly who flourished alongside his back-rowers.
Fortune favours the brave. It is the coach that chances his arm and allows a barnstorming back-rower to experiment who will get the bickies.
Especially when you have a team struggling or in a development stage, this is the time for imagination.
I get it that the NRL is a business now and it’s about results but you don’t pay your entrance fee to see someone make 40 tackles, as crucial as these sorts of players are to have in your team.
Bring on the barnstorming back-rowers, please!
Choppy Zezers
Roar Rookie
I blame Slater. What am I blaming him for again?
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
I agree Slater has shaped the modern day fullback. Hard to believe he was a jockey before he was a footballer !!!!!
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
Thanks so much Tony
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
Hi Duncan yes and he was in the 2001 premiership side
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
Hi Dwayne probably right. I find it hard to differentiate between 11,12 and 13 sometimes
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
Thanks Muzz yes good to see him fulfilling his potential
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
Thanks Bonza yes you have some good ones there
Tim Jones
Roar Rookie
Hi dogs there are plenty of Clive Chuchill winning props including Arthur Beetson and Peter Kelly. Not so much for the Dally M unless you count Jason Taumalolo who was a joint winner 2016
max power
Guest
you could write this about almost any position
Bonza
Roar Rookie
BK! Mad as a cut snake and a winner
dogs
Guest
And Ryan Hoffman was influential during his first stint at the storm. Got a lot of tries. Think he was there the same time as Harris.
dogs
Guest
Looking at the DallyM wikipedia page, no prop has ever won it. Funny, before Hayne in 2009 the only fullback to win was Mick Potter (twice). The year Preston Campbell won he played both halfback and fullback. But counting 2009, a full back has one 7 of the past 13 years since. Guess it shows how much fullback has changed in the last decade and a bit. Do we blame Slater for that?
dogs
Guest
Thanks. And according to wikipedia Paul Dunn won it with my team in 88. I probably would have watched that.
Jez
Guest
Brent kite
Albo
Roar Rookie
Spot on jimmmy ! I think the real difference with the 3 you have mentioned is that they were / are not only blockbusting runners , but have / had skills like passing the ball and setting up a support centre or winger . Kikau is having his best season yet in both attack & defence and he will be sorely missed next year by the Panthers. We have some other barnstormers like David Fifita who has all the ability, but seems to lack consistency of application ? The two Parramatta backrowers of Lane & Papalii ( and sometime Matterson) are blockbusting edge runners , but possibly lacking the ball skills to set up others. The Manly backrowers of Olakau'atu & Schuster look likely to develop into something special also, along with Cows young guns Nanai & Luki ?
Tony
Roar Guru
Nice first article Tim. Welcome to the jungle. :happy:
Duncan Smith
Roar Guru
Ben Kennedy comes to mind as a great player for Newcastle and later Manly.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
I thought Clyde was playing lock in those Clive Churchill medal games.
Muzz
Guest
Welcome Tim Kikau runs a perfect line and makes those subtle adjustments leaving the defensive line in tatters. A beast of a back rower with an appetite for work. He'd be my first choice if picking the dream pack.
Bonza
Roar Rookie
It's a great point and can indeed be the difference between winning a comp and being thereabouts. Off the top of my head Bryan Fletcher, Wade Graham, Tohu Harris, Boyd Cordner, John Sutton, Luke Lewis, Mick Crocker and John Bateman all played huge roles in getting their sides to the big dance. A skilled backrower adds another dimension.