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The undervalued skill that could be crucial at this year's World Cup
By Campbell Burnes
Watching Colin Slade deliver a pinpoint cross kick – with his left, weaker foot – for James Horwill to score in his final big match last weekend warmed the cockles of my heart.
Yes, it was the (UK) Barbarians versus England at Twickenham, and the pressure was off, but you just have to admire moments of exquisite skill in this game of ours which has seemingly been usurped by automatons and behemoths.
Slade, now plying his trade in France’s south-west with Pau, will never go down as an All Blacks great. But he did play 21 tests and enjoyed several decisive moments, such as slotting the winning conversion in Brisbane as the 2014 All Blacks edged the Wallabies in what turned out to be Ewen ‘Link’ McKenzie’s final international as coach of Australia.
The one skill that Slade performed better than anyone else in New Zealand during his time there was kicking effectively with his so-called ‘weaker’ foot. It is a rare skill, rarely mastered, even in an age when professionals have more time to work on their skills than ever before.
Some of the great No 10s were adept at shifting swiftly and painlessly onto their left boot. Jonny Wilkinson and Hugo Porta spring to mind. Beauden Barrett is more than useful off his left boot. Dan Carter’s final play as an All Black was a right-footed conversion in the 2015 Rugby World Cup final. And yet, he was not one to readily switch foot, preferring to use his guile and passing skills under pressure or even do one of those infernal banana kicks.
Slade, equally at home in the custodian’s jersey, was as good as anyone at the top level, and that piece of magic last weekend, missed by many, is a prime example.
Quite simply, being able to kick off either foot – ambipedal, thread the needle, one might say – can get your side out of trouble when under the pump or drive your team onto attack with a long, raking, accurate punt. You can just see those first fives, or any back for that matter, who is not confident. They will try and run their way out of trouble. That spells disaster if the defensive line is disciplined.
Rugby World Cup success will come down to moments in time, goal kicking, referees’ calls and above all else, errors. Which first five, or any other back, will not switch to their weaker foot when they have to, because it is not second nature and has not been practised until it is second nature? Who will cost their team because they have not practised this skill assiduously since the age of 10?
Watch closely when the 10s try and clear their lines with a marauding loosie in their face. Watch for charge downs, knock-ons and brain explosions. Then contrast that with the player who is supremely confident in his skill, has done the yards over many years and calmly switches foot to clear or even do a Wilkinson and kick the winning pot.
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A few comments. Firstly, I am a Bok fan and it's been a golden period for us. I hope my fellow Bok fans appreciate this time and know that it cannot last forever, so soak it all in!
The other thing to mention (and this is targeted at Welsh, English and even Aussie supporters who might be feeling somewhat dejected) is that it's easy to forget that just before Rassie Erasmus took over in 2018, the Boks were ranked 7th in the world and I had given up hope we'd ever be world beaters again.
Sport is a fickle thing and Rassie and his team have managed to get right whatever little things it takes to make a mediocre team great. I initially worried his methods might be short-lived (how many times can you raise a person's commitment by talking about his family and his love of his country as a motivator), but he seems to have found a way. After winning in 2019 on what was a very simple game plan, he has taken things up ever year - amazing work which has to be applauded! (Dankie Rassie! Ons wardeer wat jy vir die ondersteuners en die land doen!) (Google translate if you don't understand Afrikaans! 😁)
I don't think people outside South Africa fully comprehend the enormity of the impact seeing black and white, English, Afrikaans and Xhosa and all the other hues playing together does for the country's sense of unity. It's pure joy and happiness.
This autumn tour has been a bit frustrating in that the Boks have won, but never all that convincingly. On the one hand, I'd like to have seen more decisive victories, BUT what Rassie has done is expose a huge number of players to test rugby, whilst also diversifying the way the Boks play (Tony Brown's influence).
This change of both style and personnel has resulted in a lack of cohesion at times and we've lost some of the control, whereas had we been playing our more traditional style, that wouldn't happen. This is partially attributable to the fact that you cannot play Tony Brown's expansive game whilst also having 3 players available at every contact point to clear the defence off the ball. I have enjoyed seeing the Boks play a more exciting, less attritional game, which is a boring, albeit effective spectacle. So, I am happy to be patient, because the end justifies the means (and I trust Rassie!). Hopefully all these players we are blooding will give us incredible options for substitutions come next year's Rugby Championship and of course, the big prize in 2027.
Last point! The game of rugby has never been as exciting as it is now. Any of Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, France, Argentina, Scotland, England & Australia can beat one another. South Africa may be ranked #1, but I wouldn't bet my house in them beating France or New Zealand, and we saw Argentina beating both South Africa and New Zealand this year! That's wonderful for the game and makes the victories we do get all the sweeter. Each win is 100% earned. Long may it last!
Sorry for the long post! 🏉🌍
Go to commentsWouldn’t mind seeing that grounding in slow mo there. Too much to ask?
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