Other nouns are available, particularly in respect of the propping fraternity. Yet when we arrive at the midfield, a “confusion of centres” is the only conceivable choice. There is no getting away from it. Why? Because nobody quite knows what they want of their 12s and 13s.
Inside centre is particularly problematic, even in an age of positional interchanges governed by the circumstances of the moment. The A-list of genuinely great outside specialists is comparatively easy to piece together – Danie Gerber, Jeremy Guscott, Philippe Sella and Brian O’Driscoll, with big shout-outs to Tana Umaga and Conrad Smith, whose contributions to the All Blacks were poles apart but equally precious. The great 12s? That’s more of a head-scratcher.
Those of a certain age – that is to say, decrepit old has-beens like your columnist – can talk fondly of Mike Gibson, one of the quietly magnificent rugby intellectuals responsible for the Lions’ one and only series victory in New Zealand. We should also mention the wondrous Didier Codorniou, “le petit prince”, whose pass was a thing of such exquisite beauty, it prompted the Wallaby maestro Mark Ella (who knew a thing or two about weight, timing and soft hands) to describe him as “the best”.
This story is from the July 16, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the July 16, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Campese: Schmidt is wrong man for Aussies
DAVID Campese delivered a blunt message regarding Joe Schmidt’s position as Australia’s head coach, claiming the Kiwi isn’t right for the role because he doesn’t understand the Wallabies’ culture and history.
How London Welsh are working way back to top
William Gupwell goes down to south-west London to find a club out to rediscover itself
Sorry, Geoff, but let's not de-power scrums
EVERY week I can’t wait for Sunday to come around so that I can read The Rugby Paper and see what is really happening in our game.
Howdy! England pair saddle up to spread the word
JESS Breach and Ellie Kildunne have launched their new podcast Rugby Rodeo with one ambition in mind – to grow the profile of the women’s game.
I put in three good shots on Jonah Lomu
BACK in the day, when we first started in Leagues in 1987, we began in North East 2.
Dupont & Co need to take on the very best
I THINK we established long ago that my admiration of Antoine Dupont knows no bounds, he is the best rugby player I have ever reported on or watched in the flesh, pipping Gareth Edwards by a short head, but there is no question that there is a gaping huge hole in his CV which many cite against him when the all-time lists are compiled and debated.
Tuipulotu's power is too much for Cardiff
SCOTLAND star Sione Tuipulotu has been hailed as one of the best three 12s in the world following his player of the match display in this 13-try rollercoaster at the Arms Park.
Following in father's footsteps ... but for how long?
CAST your minds back, those of you who are sufficiently long in the tooth, to Melbourne in late October 2003.
Borthwick should call up these young props
IT WAS surprising that neither of England’s U20 world champion props, Asher Opoku-Fordjour (Sale) or Afolabi Fasogbon (Gloucester), were in the England training squad going to Portugal ahead of the autumn series.
Lively Reed lights the spark to ignite Sharks
AARON Reed proved to be Sale’s pivotal weapon, and the perfect foil in both attack and defence to ensure Sharks came out on the right side of a nine-try nailbiter on Friday.