Multi tasking for blokes - the rugby utility
October 29, 2008
When it comes to All Black team announcements, I reckon it will still make sense for Jock Hobbs to name the forwards in their chosen positions.
But doing the same for the backs is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
In fact, simply referring to them as "The Backs" and leaving it at that would make the most sense.
That's because most of the 15 individuals that make up the backline in the current squad are regarded as utility players.
A brief synopsis of most of those selected proves exactly that point.
Mils Muliaina can play at fullback, wing and centre.
Corey Jane is seen as a fullback with wing potential.
Anthony Tuitavake, wing and centre.
Richard Kahui, wing, centre and 2nd five.
Isaea Toeava, fullback, wing, centre, 2nd five and 1st five.
Stephen Donald, 1st and 2nd five.
Daniel Carter, 1st and 2nd five.
Piri Weepu, halfback and 1st five.
The latest and weirdest swapping of roles has to be that of Dan Carter being switched to 2nd five.
I can buy into the observation that doubling the kicking potential is an advantage but please Mr. Henry, don't give me that silly theory again that Donald deserves his place in the No. 10 jersey.
I much prefer your revamped explanation that "increasing the navigational potential in the backline is warranted."
Perhaps, Ma'a Nonu's comments just before the team left for Hong Kong summed up the ongoing, unpredictability that Messer's Henry, Hansen and Smith continue to immerse their selections in.
When asked what prompted him to sign for the All Blacks until after the 2011 World Cup, Nonu emphasised that it was the apparent, recent stability of selection and the end of rotation that persuaded him to stay.
Within hours of uttering those words, Nonu learnt that he had been dropped from the starting 15 to play Australia and Carter was his substitute.
Like all of us, Nonu must now know beyond all doubt, that all we can ultimately expect from Henry and co. is the unexpected.
Oram plays whole tour - Yeah Right.
I know I'm straying into PC territory when I say Jacob Oram is clearly continuing the role that Shane Bond starred in for the Black Caps, namely holding the team to ransom with an eternal saga of injuries.
That's because, like Bond, Oram is a thoroughly likeable chap who, when he's on the field for any prolonged period, is a world-class performer.
Sadly, that's hardly the case.
From my brief research, Oram has now pulled of out a game, a series or an overseas tour or has been unavailable on over 10 critical occasions for the Black Caps.
Oram's defection from the Bangladesh tour is the latest chapter in this never-ending tale of woe.
He has been cleared of major injury and has announced a guaranteed optimism that he will be ready to take on Australia.
But what's the point I say? Do yourself, NZ Cricket and the fans a favour Jacob by not presenting yourself for selection against Australia until you know you can bowl for once and for all, without the remotest chance of injury and then pulling out.
After years of both Bond and Oram creating the upheaval that results from their in-out, in-out behaviour, enough is now enough.
If Oram can't present an unconditional warrant of fitness before the Australian tour, he should simply stop bowling and go solely as a batsman.
That way, both Bracewell and Vettori can plan with all the peace-of-mind and assurance that taking on such a formidable foe requires.
Your reactions please.
PS. For those interested, I won the picking syndicate I referred to in my last blog. Thankfully, mercifully, my nearest competitor who was just one point behind had exactly the same picks as me.
But doing the same for the backs is becoming increasingly irrelevant.
In fact, simply referring to them as "The Backs" and leaving it at that would make the most sense.
That's because most of the 15 individuals that make up the backline in the current squad are regarded as utility players.
A brief synopsis of most of those selected proves exactly that point.
Mils Muliaina can play at fullback, wing and centre.
Corey Jane is seen as a fullback with wing potential.
Anthony Tuitavake, wing and centre.
Richard Kahui, wing, centre and 2nd five.
Isaea Toeava, fullback, wing, centre, 2nd five and 1st five.
Stephen Donald, 1st and 2nd five.
Daniel Carter, 1st and 2nd five.
Piri Weepu, halfback and 1st five.
The latest and weirdest swapping of roles has to be that of Dan Carter being switched to 2nd five.
I can buy into the observation that doubling the kicking potential is an advantage but please Mr. Henry, don't give me that silly theory again that Donald deserves his place in the No. 10 jersey.
I much prefer your revamped explanation that "increasing the navigational potential in the backline is warranted."
Perhaps, Ma'a Nonu's comments just before the team left for Hong Kong summed up the ongoing, unpredictability that Messer's Henry, Hansen and Smith continue to immerse their selections in.
When asked what prompted him to sign for the All Blacks until after the 2011 World Cup, Nonu emphasised that it was the apparent, recent stability of selection and the end of rotation that persuaded him to stay.
Within hours of uttering those words, Nonu learnt that he had been dropped from the starting 15 to play Australia and Carter was his substitute.
Like all of us, Nonu must now know beyond all doubt, that all we can ultimately expect from Henry and co. is the unexpected.
Oram plays whole tour - Yeah Right.
I know I'm straying into PC territory when I say Jacob Oram is clearly continuing the role that Shane Bond starred in for the Black Caps, namely holding the team to ransom with an eternal saga of injuries.
That's because, like Bond, Oram is a thoroughly likeable chap who, when he's on the field for any prolonged period, is a world-class performer.
Sadly, that's hardly the case.
From my brief research, Oram has now pulled of out a game, a series or an overseas tour or has been unavailable on over 10 critical occasions for the Black Caps.
Oram's defection from the Bangladesh tour is the latest chapter in this never-ending tale of woe.
He has been cleared of major injury and has announced a guaranteed optimism that he will be ready to take on Australia.
But what's the point I say? Do yourself, NZ Cricket and the fans a favour Jacob by not presenting yourself for selection against Australia until you know you can bowl for once and for all, without the remotest chance of injury and then pulling out.
After years of both Bond and Oram creating the upheaval that results from their in-out, in-out behaviour, enough is now enough.
If Oram can't present an unconditional warrant of fitness before the Australian tour, he should simply stop bowling and go solely as a batsman.
That way, both Bracewell and Vettori can plan with all the peace-of-mind and assurance that taking on such a formidable foe requires.
Your reactions please.
PS. For those interested, I won the picking syndicate I referred to in my last blog. Thankfully, mercifully, my nearest competitor who was just one point behind had exactly the same picks as me.
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