Building the perfect rugby player: Outside Centre
Following on from the examination of the inside centre position in our series looking at building the perfect rugby player, we now move on to their midfield partners, the outside centre position.
Often considered the knife outside of the hammer, the outside centre position is one of the most influential in attack and defence on the pitch, as the space they operate in regularly means that mistakes they make prove to be costly ones, with less teammates around to assist them.
We identify five key traits below that any outside centre needs to have in their repertoire if they are to be successful, as well as highlighting the current players at the position who best embody these skills.
We start, as we have for many positions, with ball-carrying. Rugby is a game built around getting over the gain-line and the outside centre position is as key to that as any other. Ball-carriers don’t necessarily need to be as big and physical as their inside centre counterparts, but they have to have a way of consistently beating defenders and getting a team moving forward.
One player who ticks every box as a ball-carrier here is England’s Manu Tuilagi. His career has been beset by injury issues, although of late he has managed to stay off the treatment table and on the pitch, something which was key to England making it to the Rugby World Cup final. His power is often talked about, but it’s his footwork and ability to run away from defenders which actually usually bring the biggest gains.
Of course, that ability to break the gain-line will be mitigated if the player can then not find support through their passing or offloading. Being able to execute ball-handling skills when running at pace is key for a 13, who will be more regularly be able to find space to run into than many of their colleagues in the pack or back line.
Although not always first choice for France, there aren’t too many better at creating opportunities for others than Geoffrey Doumayrou. The La Rochelle centre is elusive and has the hands and speed to put others into strong positions to score, something he frequently does with composure thanks to his strong awareness of the options around him.
Another attribute which is key to the position, and we touched upon it with Doumayrou, is a player’s speed. In attacking situations, that acceleration and pace can get a player outside of the defence and into space, whilst defensively it allows them to put pressure on in a blitz and deny that critical element of space.
England’s Jonathan Joseph excels in this area, with his ability to stand up defenders and then beat them on the outside the staple of his attacking game. His speed also allows him to generate the pressure in defence, although it additionally helps that he is particularly laterally mobile, something which can see him recover in defensive situations where he is perhaps outnumbered or had to drop out of a blitz prematurely.
Speaking of that ability to thrive defensively, any outside centre must be adept at making the right decisions on that side of the ball. If a player makes a defensive decision-making error close to the breakdown, chances are they will have teammates on hand to bail them out, but that is not the case in the more open expanses of the pitch where the outside centres roam.
Few players make as consistently good defensive decision as South Africa’s Lukhanyo Am, with the Shark having cemented the 13 jersey for the Springboks as a result. He has put on masterpieces in reading the game defensively against both England and New Zealand in recent seasons and in conjunction with his attacking ability, it makes Am one of the premier outside centres currently playing.
Last but not least, an outside centre needs to be able to make good one-on-one tackles. As mentioned before, they will often find themselves in isolation at the position and all the good defensive reads in the world won’t help if they can’t also make the necessary solo tackle.
One of the most consistent defensive 13s in recent years, Wales’ Jonathan Davies leads the way in terms of his solidity and assuredness in the tackle. He has excelled in that area for region, country and the British and Irish Lions over his career, and like Joseph and Am, exemplifies what it means to be an adept defensive outside centre.
Ball-carrying – Manu Tuilagi
Ball-handling – Geoffrey Doumayrou
Speed – Jonathan Joseph
Defensive decision-making – Lukhanyo Am
Tackling – Jonathan Davies
Comments on RugbyPass
Ardie is a legend. Finished and klaar. Two things: “Yeah, yeah, I have had a few conversations with Razor just around feedback on my game and what I am doing well, what I need to improve on or work-ons. It’s kind of been minimal, mate, but it’s all that I need over here in terms of how to be better, how to get better and what I am doing well.” I hope he’s downplaying it - and that it’s not “minimal”. The amount of communication and behind the scenes preparation the Bok coaches put into players - Rassie and co would be all over Ardie and being clear on what is expected of him. This stands out for me as something teams should really be looking at in terms of the boks success from a coaching point of view. And was surprised by the comment - “minimal”. In terms of the “debate” around Ireland and South Africa. Nice one Ardie. There’s no debate.
1 Go to commentsThere’s a bit of depth there but realistically Australian players have a long way to go to now catch up. The game is moving on fast and Australia are falling behind. Australian sides still don’t priories the breakdown like they should, it’s a non-negotiable if you want to compete on the international stage. That goes for forwards and backs. The Australian team could have a back row that could make a difference but the problem is they don’t have a tight five that can do the business. Tupou is limited in defence, overweight and unfit and the locks are a long way from international standard. Frost is soft and Salakai-Loto is too small so that means they need a Valentini at 8 who has to do the hard graft so limits the effectiveness of the backrow. Schmidt really needs to get a hard working, tough tight 5 if he wants to get this team firing.
3 Go to commentsSorry Morgan you must have been the “go to for a quote” ex player this week. Its rnd 6 and there is plenty of time to cement a starting 15 and finishing 8 so I have no such concerns.
2 Go to commentsGreat read. I wish you had done this article on the ROAR.
2 Go to commentsThe current AB coaching team is basically the Crusaders so it smacks of wanting their familiar leaders around. This is not a good look for the future of the ABs or the younger players in Super working their way up the player ladder. Razor is touted as innovative, forward looking but his early moves look like insecurity and insular, provincial thinking. He is the AB's coach not the Golden Oldies.
10 Go to commentsSimple reason for wanting him back. Robertson wants him as captain. Otherwise he wouldn’t be bothering chasing him. Not enough reason to come back just to mentor.
10 Go to commentsI had not considered this topic like this at all, brilliant read. I had been looking at his record at the Waratahs and thought it odd the Crusaders appointed him, then couple that with all that experience and talent departing and boom. They’ve got some great talent developing though, and in all honesty I don’t think anyone would be over confident taking them on in a playoff match, no matter how poor the first half of their season was. I think they can pull a game out of their ass when it counts.
2 Go to commentsNot a bad list but not Porecki and not Donaldson. Not because they are Tahs, or Ex Tahs, they are just not good enough. Edmed should be ahead. Far more potential. Wilson should be 8 and Valentini 6. Wilson needs to be told by his father and his coach, stop bloody running in to brick wall defence. You’re not playing under the genius Thorn any more. He’s a fantastic angle runner. The young new 8 from the Brumbies looks really good too. The Lonegrans are just too small for international rugby as is Paisami, as is Hamish Stewart at 12. Both great at Super Rugby level. Stewart could have been a great 10 if not for Brad Thorn. Uru should be there and so should Tupou. Tupou just needs good Australian coaching which he hasn’t been getting. I don’t think Schmidt will excite him.
3 Go to commentsIf he wants to come back then he should. He will be a major asset to the younger locks and could easily be played as an impact player off the bench coming on in the last 30. He is fit, strong and capable and has all the experience to make up for any loss in physical prowess. He could also be brought back with a view to coaching within the structures one day. Duane Vermeulen played until he was 37 or 38. He is now a roaming coach within the South African coaching structures. He was valuable in the last world cup and has been a major influence on Jasper Wiese and other young players which has helped and accelerated their development and growth. Whitelock could do the exact same thing for NZ
10 Go to commentsBrett Excellent words… finally someone (other than DC) has noted that Hanigan is very hard and very good at doing what Backrow should do… his performance via the Drua sauna was quite daunting for those on the other side… very high tackle count… carries with good end result… constant threat to make a good 20-25 meters with those long legs… providing his mass effectively to crunching the Drua pack… Finally he is returning to quality form… way to much injury time over the last 2 years… smart-strong-competent in his skills… caught every lineout throw aimed at him and delivered clean pass to whoever was down below… and he worked hard for the whole 80 minutes… Ned has to be in the top 5 for backrow honors… He knows what is required as he has been there before…
20 Go to commentsI think Sam Whitelock should not touch a return with a bargepole. He went out on a high, playing in the RWC Final. He would be coming back into a team that will be weaker than last years, and might even be struggling to win games, especially against the Boks. Stay in France, enjoy another year with Pau, playing alongside his brother.
10 Go to commentsRyan Coxon has been very impressive considering he was signed by WF as injury cover whilst Uru has been a standout for QR, surprised neither of those mentioned
3 Go to commentsIt’s the massive value he brings with regard team culture/values, preparation, etc. Can’t buy that. I’m hoping to see the young locks get their chance in the big games though.
10 Go to commentsAll good, Gregor, except that you neglected to mention Sam Darry amongst that talented pool of locks. In fact, given Hannah’s inexperience and the fact that Holland won’t be eligible until next year, Lord and Darry might be the frontrunners this year, to join Barrett, Tuipoluto, Va’ii and possibly Whitelock. In fact there might be room for all of them if Barrett played 6 (like Ollie Chessum).
10 Go to commentsHis value is stabilizing the ship 20 - 40 minutes out from the final whistle plus his valuable experience to the underlings coming through.
10 Go to commentsWhat is criminal is she acts like it's no problem her actions have have cause the Italian player to lose her playing career, lose salary, if she did this in day to day life she would be in jail, she is a complete thug!!!
3 Go to commentsCorrect me if i’m wrong but the sadas have to win all games running into the finals yeh nah?
1 Go to commentsDon’t like Diamond but the maul is a joke, the sight of a choke tackle creating a maul then players in offside positions flopping on it killing the ball but then getting the put in? Banal.
3 Go to commentsHopefully Tabai Matson returns to Crusaders as head coach next season.
1 Go to commentsstorm in a teacup really. Penalty only so play on as the try was scored. Now the real question is: why was Maitland allowed to pass the ball off the floor? That is illegal but refs never pick it up.
1 Go to comments