We've had two weeks of rugby in the British Isles now and there have been some great moments. George North emulating Darcey Bussell, Andy Johnson pretending to be a back every game (grubbers, 40m sprints and all), and Nikola Matawalu being the very definition of impact-sub. Even more noticeable is the turnaround in results within a week: Leinster, Northampton and Edinburgh all pulling off scoreboard switches (not always for the better). However what I have noticed most is the fly-halves.
It seems fly-halves in both leagues have gotten bored following the guide lines; simply kicking the goals when needed and running the game. Not they've forgotten that. Instead they are making line breaks, scoring tries and claiming the last pass more often than not. This trend started (as does every rugby trend) in the Southern Hemisphere, where fly-halves for many years have been flamboyant and full of attacking flair. Just compare Dan Carter to Jonny Wilkinson, one famed as the greatest game managing ten in history, an outstanding goal kicker, defensive player and conductor, the other proclaimed around the world as the best fly-half ever, with speed, fleet of foot, deft boot control and the ability to spot a pass that no one else would. More recently from down-under we've had Quade Cooper, Bernard Foley and Beauden Barrett. Barrett having already provided an open-play master-classe for New Zealand against Argentina.
Now however Europe has caught on, Jonathan Sexton has been threatening on the attacking front but more famed for his intelligent game control, the likes of George Ford and Danny Cipriani have been outstanding so far. Both Englishmen have been opening defences for fun; just watch any of the Bath or Sale games from the past two weeks to understand just how well they are playing. Cipriani in fact can claim the plaudits for a hat-trick of tries, showing confidence and talent to pull of chips and quick tap penalties up there with the greats. Meanwhile in the Guinness PRO 12, its the likes of Ian Madigan for Leinster and young Rhys Patchell in Cardiff who are showing the attacking prowess for the Celtic nations. Madigan has more been used to fill the void of Gordon D'Arcy at inside centre, instead of the fly-half position being discussed, but we shall note that point later. Patchell however is showing all the form that had pundits screaming for him to take the national shirt last season - before tragic injury. Not only is he opening defences and pulling off rather impressive offloads to set up tries, but he's running very clever support lines and chasing other peoples kicks to score or retain possession. It's this sort of play that should be taught to every young player in the sport, no matter what position you play or what you've done in phase at the point, you do your hardest to support the man (or woman) running with the ball. It should be noted Patchell is adding another element to that arsenal of fly-halves, and that is a cruise missile of a boot, slotting over 60m+ penalties - a worrying thing to remember for opposition teams.
Ian Madigan's shirt number brings up another point, something else that - in New Zealand primarily - the Southern Hemisphere have done a lot, and that is play a "second fly-half" in the team at inside centre. It's something that has never really taken root in the north, Wales fiddled with it with James Hook but it never provided the attacking threat it promised. Yet Leinster and London Irish have been using this season to quiet success. Madigan and Shane Geraghty have shown impressive form, and the ability to exploit the little bit more space and time on the ball they get further along the attacking line. It is something that might be worth considering for the other coaches out there, and allow the game to move away from the bruising gain-line battle it's become with centres the likes of Roberts, Tuilagi and Bastareaud fast becoming the norm. Having a play-maker 12 could allow teams to move the ball around these giants of the game, and exploit the gaps in the rest of the opponent line. A different alternative at that point is to instead teach the big players to understand space and be able to distribute the ball - we know that it's achievable Ma'a Nonu has developed over the years.
Back on topic, this new avenue of fly-half play is certainly a very interesting aspect of rugby that should be heavily worked upon. It will certainly make rugby games much more interesting than they have been in recent years, attacking fly-halves can only mean more tries (at least opportunities) which will get crowds on their feet and likely more bums on seats with ticket sales. Hopefully the international coaches will take notice of what their players are doing for their clubs and integrate in the national set-up, in time for the Rugby World Cup next year because who want another final like that?
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