No country for young scrum-halves - apart from France
As one of the positions on the pitch that is constantly influencing play and particularly responsible for how a team manages the game, it’s no surprise that international rugby is littered with experienced scrum-halves.
From Conor Murray, Ben Youngs and Greig Laidlaw in the northern hemisphere to Aaron Smith, Will Genia and Tomás Cubelli in the southern, many of rugby’s international half-backs are approaching a certain vintage.
Between those six, they average just over 30 years of age – with all six set to be in their 30’s by the time the Rugby World Cup rolls around – and 81 test caps. It is a wealth of experience for Ireland, England, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia and Argentina, whilst casting the net a little wider also brings the 34-year-old Fumiaki Tanaka of Japan into the equation, with 69 caps, as well as the 29-year-old Italian Edoardo Gori, who also has 69 caps.
You can argue it’s good planning from all of those nations, to have players at their peak, playing at a high level with plenty of experience, heading into a RWC, and whilst none of those players are likely to be cast aside after the tournament, save for Laidlaw and Tanaka potentially because of age, the international game is likely to embrace a new generation of scrum-halves in 2020.
The careers of Murray, Youngs, Smith and Genia have felt inextricably linked for the last 10 years as they have battled against one another and, for the most part, have been consistently locking down their sides’ nine jersey over that period. They will all arguably have roles transitioning to the next generation of player during the next cycle, but with Murray and Youngs set to be 34 at the next RWC and Smith and Genia turning 35 before or during the 2023 tournament, 2019 could well be the last time we see them at that level.
What also links a number of these nations has been their unwillingness or reluctance to bring in and gradually blood younger alternative options, instead preferring to stick with the veteran options at the position who know how to run their specific game plan.
In Gareth Davies and Faf de Klerk, Wales and South Africa have players who could certainly still be around in 2023, but for the most part among Tier 1 nations, the scrum-half position is no country for young men.
Apart from France, of course.
For all the frustrations that abound watching the French national team, their ability to produce talented young scrum-halves is unmatched in world rugby. From the electric Antoine Dupont to the lively Baptise Serin to the promising Baptiste Couilloud, French rugby is swimming in scrum-halves capable of taking them forward. Bordeaux’s Jules Gimbert, Lyon’s Quentin Delord, La Rochelle’s Arthur Retiere and Stade Français’ Arthur Coville are also being rolled off the production line and would be highly-prized by almost any nation other than France, who enjoy such riches at the position.
The transition plans are not quite as numerous among other nations, however, with England and Ireland in particular having rigidly stuck to their guns with Youngs and Murray respectively.
England will be keen to keep Youngs in the mix next season, as the likes of Dan Robson and Ben Spencer have had very little rugby at international level, whilst Richard Wigglesworth and Danny Care might be facing their last shots at test rugby later this year in Japan, with the pair 36 and 32 next season respectively.
Jack Maunder was identified early as a future contributor and capped on England’s tour of Argentina in 2017, but has yet to become the first-choice scrum-half at Exeter Chiefs due to the presence of Nic White, something which can also be extended to his teammates Stu Townsend and Sam Maunder.
Ireland have had tasters from Kieran Marmion and John Cooney, although with both just a couple of years Murray’s junior, they could well be looking younger for the next nine to build around. Leinster’s Luke McGrath could be that man, otherwise bringing through highly-promising Munster half-back Craig Casey could be an option, especially if Andy Farrell is happy being patient and continuing with Murray initially, as you would expect is likely to happen.
Scotland have been slightly more proactive, integrating Ali Price quite heavily over the last few years, as well as having a look at George Horne over the last 12 months. It would be no surprise to see Price take the jersey on after the RWC before a potential challenge comes from current Scotland U18 Jamie Dobie in the coming years.
Like Scotland, both Argentina and New Zealand have been productive preparing alternatives. Gonzalo Bertranou has started regularly for Argentina over the last year and, at 25 years of age, is the natural successor to both Cubelli and Martín Landajo. As for the All Blacks, TJ Perenara has been waiting in the wings behind Smith, although Smith’s decision to sign a two-year extension with the Highlanders and New Zealand could see Perenara miss out on his opportunity to take over the role full-time.
Bryn Hall and Brad Weber are similar ages to Perenara, so there could well be further chances for Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sam Nock or Folau Fakatava after the RWC, as they look to manage the transition, something which they do better than any other nation in world rugby. It’s not quite the abundance of options that France have, but it’s still a very healthy crop of players to pick from.
Australia will miss Genia when he or they opt to move on from the 100-cap man, especially with White at Exeter and Nick Phipps making the move to London Irish, with the pair the two players that have tended to pick up international experience alongside Genia. Joe Powell and Jake Gordon have flirted with the squad but find themselves with minimal test experience and in their mid-20’s, potentially opening the door for Ryan Lonergan or one of the Reds duo of Tate McDermott or James Tuttle, should one of those three be able to distinguish themselves from the chasing pack.
As for Japan and Italy, the Cherry Blossoms have been alternating with Yutaka Nagare over the last couple of years and Italy have recently brought former England U20 Callum Braley into camp, potentially targeting him as a player to lure to Italy and build around in the coming seasons.
It’s been an entertaining group of scrum-halves over the last 10 years, with Youngs and Genia enjoying some memorable battles as they both raced onto the scene, before Smith and Murray took the ascendancy in the years that followed. Cubelli, Laidlaw and Tanaka have all made their marks in their own ways, too, and have been pivotal to the successes that their nations have enjoyed over that period.
To see so many new players step into such a key position over the next couple of years will be fun for neutrals to watch, but hopefully this group of savvy, veteran nines can sign off in spectacular fashion at the RWC later this year before that happens.
Watch: Aaron Smith signs new deal with the Higlanders and New Zealand Rugby
Comments on RugbyPass
Very unlikely the Bulls will beat Leinster in Dublin. It would be different in Pretoria.
1 Go to commentsI think it is a dangerous path to go down to ban a player for the same period that a player they injured takes to recover. Players would be afraid to tackle anyone. I once tackled my best friend at school in a practice match and sprained his ankle. I paid for it by having to play fly-half instead of full-back for the rest of that season’s fixtures.
5 Go to commentsJust such a genuine good bloke…and probably the best all round player in his generation. Good guys do come first sometimes and he handled the W.Cup loss with great attitude.
2 Go to commentsWord in France is that he’s on the radar of a few Top14 clubs.
2 Go to commentsGet blocking Travis, this guy has styles and he’s gonna make a swift impact…!
1 Go to commentsWhat remorse? She claimed that her dangerous tackle wasn’t worthy of a red! She should be compensating the injured player for loss of earnings at the minimum. Her ban should include the recovery time of the injured player as well as the paltry 3 match ban.
5 Go to commentsArdie 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 that “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. Indeed. There’s no debate.
2 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 comments