“Don’t you do it!”
How many of us were thinking that, no screaming it, as Nic White went to box kick the ball away in the final minutes of the Dunedin Test Match?
The ‘House of Pain’ took on a whole new meaning as our most experienced scrum-half turned over possession needlessly.
Nic White apologists will say it was the ‘game plan’. They’ll even argue that he should be “allowed to play like Tate.” The problem with that argument is that White doesn’t seem to know how to anymore.
As far back as March 2015, ESPN published an article titled ‘Why Nic White doesn’t need the box-kick’.
ESPN noted that statistics from Super Rugby showed that “when [White] avoids the box-kick, he is among the most creative playmakers in the game.” It even referred to him as ‘nippy’.
In 2019 during a game between Exeter and Harlequins, Joe Marler, ever the wise guy was caught on the ref’s microphone telling White “You’re f*cking boring me, hurry up!”.
Nic White (Photo by Getty Images)
And therein lies the problem. White has 8 years of history of slowing the game down, box kicking away possession.
Across teams, coaches and hemispheres. Provincial and Test level.
It has become almost his style or habit and it’s clear that he’s not the same ‘nippy’ player he was in 2015.
Part of the explanation for White’s style, only part of it, must come from the general trajectory of the game and the laws governing it. After all, if scrum halves can dawdle while fully protected at the back of a ruck, there must be some attraction.
According to Opta Stats Platform, at the Rugby World Cup in 1987, the box kick made up 5% of all kicks in open play. By 2019 that was a whopping 23%.
Let that sink in, in 1987 about one in every 20 kicks was the pesky box kick. Just 32 years later it was almost one in four.
The box kick has both slowed play from the base of the ruck as well a reduced the need for creative centres and artful wingers. Would Campo or Paul Carozza or even Jonah Lomu have thrived in an aerial environment?
Teams now play the percentages. It’s also no coincidence there were roughly 30 offloads per game in 1987 compared with just 15 in 2019. Interestingly, turnovers almost halved during that time, mirroring the statistic.
Let’s be clear. Just playing the percentage, the box kick does have a place in international rugby. Even if it has become far too regular an occurrence for most of us.
The problem is, White’s execution of the kick itself as well as his option taking (read, when to box kick) have become atrocious. It’s almost his default position.
Kicking back possession to the All Blacks when scores are level and there are 180 seconds of play left is like throwing gasoline on a fire.
Doing so without proper chasers and without any length on the kick is suicidal. No ‘game plan’ advocates poor execution.
More than that, this is a Wallaby team that has speed and creativity. It’s a team flush with instinctive footballers. They don’t need ‘experience’ coming on to the field and moving them away from what is working.
Especially, when that ‘experience’ hasn’t won a Bledisloe after ten years of trying.
It is harsh but surely if the box kick was the way, we’d have won a few of those tight games White has been involved in?
The Australian way is not ‘box kicking’ 25 percent of the time like other sides apparently do. If Eddie is serious about creating Australia’s own rugby identity it must be with a nine that doesn’t box kick as his default option.
While I think Eddie will take Nick White to the World Cup, he shouldn’t.
McDermott, Lachlan Lonergan and even Isaak Fines-Leleiwasa should go ahead of him.
People talk about McDermott’s pass as being below standard. Yet, he had the back line humming for 40 minutes in Dunedin in a way it hasn’t for quite some time.
He challenged defenders around the ruck, seemed to have a better than average rapport with the officials, took his options pretty well.
This side needs to believe it can win. The young players can’t be saddled with a losing way.
Nic White’s box kick is no longer the answer. If it ever was.
Lano
Roar Guru
Well played WE, Eddie read it, it was compelling, and bit the hook
cs
Roar Guru
Handy that line, 'He's playing to instructions'.
Messy Jog
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the courteous response, W Evans. Not trying to be argumentative but I don't know where the difference in games takes you - if Nic White has played more games is that a reason to drop him? Experience at a World Cup is an advantage, contrary to the views of those calling for an uncapped 9 to take his seat on the plane. Fair point that Tate was sharp and helped the Wallabies stay on the front foot but the key factor was the pack - we were dominating early but the bench pack was getting smashed by the time White came on. Re the relief at a 9 finally running the ball - last time White started a game (v Arg) he ran solo from the back of the scrum and he didn't get held up, he scored a try. I get that he's annoying and a pest and he hasn't been at his best this month, but I reckon too many people have made up their minds so they ignore his highlights and jump on any excuse to bag him - I even saw someone on here blame White for Foley's time wasting free kick the other day. Eddie knows how to placate an angry mob but he also has a strong sense of self preservation and will know he needs White in his squad.
Markus
Roar Rookie
It's favouritism that White has been consistently the best 9 for the Wallabies the last 4 years. Gordon and McDermott both got ample chances to prove they were a better option and were unsuccessful every time. The latest Tate hype will wear off soon enough too, when the Wallabies don't start magically winning and people realise he still can't pass left to right.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
If we don’t take White we may as well not turn up . White is by far our best half . He is playing to instructions . Lonergan is also very solid in all areas except zip . Fines should have been used by now . He does everything well . Good pass , strong defence , acceleration , zippy , pace and power . Then there is McDemott who has one asset , he is nippy , school boy nippy . His defence is below the the rest and his pass is also . We won’t go far with McDermott and Gordon .
Richie
Roar Rookie
Tate box kicks. His are even deeper than Whites.
Derek Murray
Roar Rookie
You're not allowed to talk this sort of sense when it comes to White. Everybody ignores him being at the centre of the best Wallaby performances in the last 6/7 years when he was asked to zip it from the base and hit a choice of runners. When he does that it's apparently the game plan and he is expected to just deliver it. And to do it better than any other Australian halfback and certainly more accurately and faster than any current alternative. If he box kicks though, he's the only 9 in world rugby who does and it runs completely opposite to his coach's instruction. It confuses me how he played 118 pro games in Europe, 109 SR games and 59 test matches while ignoring his coach's instructions. He must be one charming MF.
Adam (Though An Imposter)
Roar Rookie
I would argue that he never had the ability to judge when to kick (and when not to). I refer you to the 2014 Bledisloe at Suncorp. With the Wallabies 4 points in front and something like 90 seconds to go, he box kicks into touch on the full from inside his own half (but outside the 22, if I remember). Regardless, the All Black got the ball back and won it at the death which ended Ewen McKenzie's coaching career as much as the affair did. He said he would resign if they lost the match and he did.
W Evans
Roar Rookie
A very interesting point about his lack of relationship with a 10! Part of me feels that he can legitimately point to a lack of contenders at the position. Most of me feels that in part, his style of play wasn’t conducive to building a relationship with any of them!
cs
Roar Guru
You're certainly right about that Adam. The only way you can get away with a kicking game in Australia is to win, and even that might not help the coach. Can't remember who the coach was but some years ago the Tahs went through a winning and kicking period that was tagged 'winning ugly'. The fans almost rioted. Seriously. The Tahs had to convene general meetings with the fans to calm everyone down. Experts will complain, but for most Wallaby fans the only reason they put up with everything else about the game is to see running rugby and no-one is gonna change that.
cs
Roar Guru
Good article Dubya. My, how the crowd has turned. I felt a lone voice in being critical of White last year. Former analyst Bishop advised that I was wasting my time. NW was a cup certainty. A year later, the crowd is baying for his head. It's interesting to note that NW has never formed a partnership of any renown with a 10, as far as I know. No Farr-Jones/Ella/Lynagh stories, no Gregan and Larkham type tales. Not even a Phipps and Foley or a Genia and Cooper. Nick is a solo 9 with disposable 10s. This is an old saw for me, but with a full article on the issue, I can't resist recalling the time in a super game several years ago when I saw Nick make a clean break somewhere between halfway and the opposition's 22. With a couple pursuers a metre or more behind him and no-one at all in front, the line was wide open and ... and ... Nick kicked the ball. True story. Here at the Roar at the time, I suggested that his propensity to kick needed to be surgically removed. There are of course good reasons for box-kicking now and again, but I dream of the day the Wallaby 9's default is to pass to the 10.
cs
Roar Guru
Yes, it's almost the equivalent of a voluntary turnover.
cs
Roar Guru
Although he hasn't got the full blown disease, Tate's also well and truly capable of over-kicking. One box in particular in the first half on Saturday was a shocker that led to an All Blacks score.
W Evans
Roar Rookie
Cheers for the alternate view Messy Jog. A few observations: - White has played some 60 tests, McDermott around 20. - The fact McDermott was playing with front foot ball might have a little to do with him. Tough to play front foot when you don’t have it. - McDermott was one of a few who made a mistake with a line out but with regards to being held up, I think people were just relieved to see a Wallaby 9 run a little. White has been a great servant of the game but I do believe he’s become far too predictable also plays into NZ’s hands. Also, his relationship with referees … not good.
W Evans
Roar Rookie
Cheers Lano, appreciate it!
graymatter
Roar Rookie
Couldn't agree more. As I have said in other posts. He is a liability. He is too predictable and shows no variety in his game. He is pondersome around the ruck and spends too much time trying to school the ref. The Brumbies have been blessed by his departure to the Force. It's just a shame that Lolesio was a victim of his tenure. How much better might Lolesio have been outside Lonergan or indeed Powell another White victim!
Messy Jog
Roar Rookie
You forgot to mention that Nic White got to play off front foot ball for 40 minutes but we were unable to convert dominance into a match winning lead because he blew two try scoring opportunities with turnovers; once by getting held up in goal when he decided to run himself, and once by giving away a time wasting free kick after Carter Gordon's terrific 50/22 kick. I can't believe we aren't all piling on to Nic for those shocking, costly errors. Oh wait, that wasn't Nic White, it was the best halfback in Australia and everyone's choice as RWC skipper, Tate? Tate was pretty good overall but if White made either of those errors, let alone both, people would not overlook it. Weird what gets called out and what doesn't when you start from the conclusion and work backwards from there.
Jazz
Roar Rookie
Nothing weird mate, live in qld support brumbies and reds
Messy Jog
Roar Rookie
PS bit weird that you say you're a Brumbies supporter today and last week you said "As a reds supporter i am disappointed about us losing 3 props for 2024 season." Did you get hacked?
Rocky's Rules
Roar Rookie
Box kicking is obviously a big part of the game plan of every national team. N White is by far Australia's best exponent and he's also by far the best halfback in Aust. He's got the best passing game, takes the right options most of the time and has great experience.