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Wallabies great George Gregan has weighed in on the debate over who is the best halfback in the world, Aaron Smith or Conor Murray.
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“They are both incredible players that play different styles of rugby, and that has a lot to do with how their teams operate”, he told RugbyPass.
“Conor Murray kicks a lot more than Aaron Smith, but Smith does have a very good box kick. Murray will play that more traditional nine role where there is a bit of box kicking, works with his forwards.
“He’s got a very good running game, distributes very well, and he’s got a good relationship with Johnny Sexton which I think all good halves pairs do.
Gregan heaped praised on what Smith’s passing game does for the players around him.
“I think Aaron Smith’s got a fantastic relationship with Beauden Barrett at All Black level, so it’s two world-class 9-10’s. I think Smith’s passing game is the standard, he really does get it off the ground quickly. The width of his pass really does allow players like Barrett and prior to that, Dan Carter, to really thrive with their passing and running game.
“That’s just how the All Blacks play, they try to play that high, up-tempo game where the ball is always a moving target whereas Ireland will play a bit more structure, use their running forwards, there is a shorter passing game off Conor Murray but he also can throw the wider pass when Sexton needs it.
“I think Murray really takes the pressure of kicking away from the 10, he kicks directly from the source quite a lot. He would be the gold standard in terms of managing a game through territory through his right boot.
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When trying to compare the two, he said it’s like splitting hairs but gave the edge to Murray for last year’s Lions tour.
“It’s a split hair and it has a lot to do with the quality of ball their front eight provide for them.
“Conor Murray in that Lions series last year was outstanding.
“In that series, if you want to compare players, I thought he was the best halfback. He was one of the best players in that series full stop.
Gregan also had high praise for Wallaby Will Genia, who returned to Super Rugby this season. His form at the Rebels has given the side a massive boost.
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“The Aussie in me says Will Genia is getting back to his best form, he’d be number three. They all bring their own individual strengths to it.
“Ireland is in very good hands with Conor Murray and so are the All Blacks with Aaron Smith, and there’s not a bad bloke behind him called TJ Perenara who you could also throw in the mix as well. So there are some very good, world-class halfbacks playing.
Former Ireland captain Brian O’Driscoll, gold medal-winning coach Ben Ryan & ex-Wallabies captain George Gregan spoke with RugbyPass ahead of the Cathay Pacific/HSBC Hong Kong Sevens.
Comments on RugbyPass
Not sure exactly what went wrong for him at Glasgow but it’s pretty clear he ain’t Franco’s cup of tea. Suspect he would have been better served heading out of Scotland around the same time as Finn, Hoggy and Jonny!
1 Go to commentsBulls disrespected the Northampton supporters and the competition. Decide quickly, fully in or out.
24 Go to commentsI wonder if Parling was ever on England’s radar as a coach? Obviously Borthwick is a great lineout coach, but I do worry he might be taking on too much as both head coach and forwards coach.
1 Go to commentsJason Jenkins has one cap. When Etzebeth was his age he had over 80 caps. Experience matters. He will never amount to what Etzebeth has because he hasn’t been developed as an international player.
1 Go to commentsSays much about the player picking this gig over the easier and bigger rewards offered to him in Japan. Also says a lot about the state sanctioned tax benefits the Irish Revenue offers pro rugby players, with their ten highest earning years subject to an additional 40% tax relief and paid as a lump sum, in cash, at retirement. Certainly helps Leinster line up the financial ducks in a row to fund marquee signings like this!!! No other union anywhere in world rugby benefits from this kind of lucrative financial sponsorship from their government…
5 Go to commentsTrue Jordie could earn a lot more in Japan. But by choosing Leinster he’ll be playing with 1 of the best clubs in the world and can win a champions cup and URC…..
6 Go to commentsThanks for that Marshy, noticed you didn't say who is gonna win it. We know who ain't gonna win it - your Crusaders outfit. They've gone from having arguably the best Super Rugby first five ever, to having a clutch of rookies. Hurricanes all the way!
1 Go to commentsGeez you really have to question the NRLs ability to produce players of quality. Its pathetic. Dont the 25mil in Aus produce enough quality womens players. Sad.
1 Go to commentsBulls fan here, and agree 100% with the conclusion (and little else) of this article. SA sides should absolutely f-off from the champs cup until we get fair scheduling, equal support for travel arrangements and home semis. You know, like all the european teams get.
24 Go to commentsI’m yet to see why Grace would be an ABs contender. He’s pedestrian and lacks the dominance required of a top flight 8.
11 Go to commentsGee my Highlanders were terrible. They have gone backwards since the start of the season. The trouble began when we left Millar behind to prep as the 10 against the Brumbies and he was disconnected from the team that came back from Aussie. We rested Patchell for that game and we blew an avalanche of ball in good attacking positions in the 1st half. Against the Rebels we seem to of gone into a pod system with forwards hanging off from the breakdown leaving Fakatava to secure our ball!
80 Go to commentsPot Kettle, the English and French teams have done it for years.
24 Go to commentsHas virtually played every minute of previous games. Back row of Li Lo Willie , Grace and Blackadder would be the 1. Crusaders issue is a very average 1st 5 who cannot run. Kicking in general play is also below par They need to put Yong Kemara in. He must have so.e talent for them to bring him down from Waikato. Hoehepa would struggle to play in so.e club sided
11 Go to commentsI hope this a good thing making all these changes!
3 Go to commentsThe Hurricanes are good, especially with a decent coach now. However, let’s be real, the Crusaders and Chiefs are clearly a good degree weaker without the players they’ve lost overseas now. The Canes lost one player. It’s also why the aussie teams ‘seem’ to be stronger.
9 Go to commentsOr you could develop your own players instead of constantly taking from the SH competition and weakening it in the process? With all the player and financial resources these unions have compared to SH countries you’d think they could manage that, or is weakening the SH comps and their national sides an added bonus? Probably.
3 Go to commentsNot so fast Aaron, we might need you in black yet lol. God knows he’d be a lot less nerve-racking than hot and (very) cold players like Perofeta. It’s really a shame Reuben Love isn’t playing 10, we’ve got enough 15 options.
4 Go to commentsAnd those from the NH still seem to be puzzled (and delighted) why NZ’s depth isn’t what it once was. Over 600 NZ players overseas, that’s insane. This sort of deal is why Super Rugby coaches have admitted they struggle now to find enough quality to fill out their squads.
6 Go to commentsArticle intéressant ! La question devrait régulièrement se poser pour les jeunes français originaires de Nouvelle-Calédonie, Wallis-et-Futuna et de Polynésie entre la Nouvelle-Zélande et la Métropole… Difficile pour la fédération française de rugby de se positionner : soit le choix est fait de dénicher les jeunes talents et de les faire venir très tôt en Métropole, au risque de les déraciner, soit on prend le risque de se les faire “piller” par les All Blacks qui, telle une araignée, essaye de récupérer tous les talents des îles du Pacifique… À la France de se défendre en développant l’aura du XV de France et des clubs français dans ses collectivités d’Outre-mer !
3 Go to commentsWrong bay. He needs to come to the REAL BAY which is Bay Of Plenty and have a crack at making the Chiefs.
3 Go to comments