SportPREMIUM

It's size vs guile and skill in the playmaker's post

It's no secret that South Africa loves it's big inside centres while New Zealand, Australia and Argentina value guile, skill and a second playmaker at 12.

Ngani Laumape of the Hurricanes scores a try during the Super Rugby Semi Final between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes at Orangetheory Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand.  File photo
Ngani Laumape of the Hurricanes scores a try during the Super Rugby Semi Final between the Crusaders and the Hurricanes at Orangetheory Stadium on June 29, 2019 in Christchurch, New Zealand. File photo (Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

It's no secret that South Africa loves it's big inside centres while New Zealand, Australia and Argentina value guile, skill and a second playmaker at 12.

Australia have been consistent in this regard with the likes of Tim Horan and Matt Giteau holding the fort.

Kurtley Beale may have to be used as a 15 because of Israel Folau's social media indiscretions, but he's their premier 12.

New Zealand often mould players to fit the all-round role, with Ma'a Nonu starting out as a wrecking ball but developing into a multi-skilled serviceman.

Ryan Crotty, who'll miss the Rugby Championship because of injury, is their favourite everyman at 12, but if Sonny-Bill Williams is fit, he'll slot into the role.

Ngani Laumape demolishes at 12 but is playing too well to be ignored.

The Jaguares' and Pumas' 12 Jeronimo de la Fuente is a bona-fide playmaker at 12.

Former Springbok centre Gcobani Bobo nailed down the difference between the Bok and the other Southern Hemisphere 12s.

"Most of the time, our inside centres are used as gainline obsessed ball carriers who make sure our forwards come around the corner as the pack that's chasing will be coming around the corner. They have to make up more distance while your pack has front-foot ball. That's how we set-up our play because we're about momentum generated play," Bobo said.

"The New Zealand and Australian inside centres are not only the communicators, but they are a massive part in how the attack alignment happens from many aspects. A difference here would be the amount of passes between Ryan Crotty and Ngani Laumape, where the latter would pass more, thereby providing a different point of attacking reference."

When the Boks beat the All Blacks in Wellington last year, Handre Pollard moved to 12 and with Elton Jantjies at 10.

For Bobo it's a case of two different yet effective playmaking heads being better than one.

"It's a similar thing with England with Owen Farrell at 12 and Jeronimo de la Fuente. It's about wanting a second pair of hands close to the ball and the best way is getting your best passer second closest to the ball. That's why England and Australia have the George Ford/Farrell and Bernard Foley/Kurtley Beale axis," Bobo said.

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