When strength is also a weakness

An Australian experiment has once again cast the spotlight on how a flawed system harms South African rugby – why our greatest strength is also our biggest weakness.

Dispatches from Canberra reveal a plan, motivated by national coach John Connolly, to convert Wallaby wing Mark Gerrard into a flyhalf.

Gerrard has been given an “audition” as a test No 10 by playing flyhalf for the ACT Brumbies against Queensland.in an Australian Provincial Championship clash at Ballymore in Brisbane.

Connolly thinks the tall Brumby has the makings of a pivot – he certainly is a strong kicker of the ball, a powerful runner and a good all-round footballer – and is hoping that Gerrard can develop into a top-class flyhalf in the same way that Rod Macqueen retreaded Stephen Larkham.

The Brumbies’ selection came after Connolly announced intentions to experiment with Gerrard at either flyhalf or inside centre during Australia's November tour of Europe.

And it is the handling of Gerrard’s “trial” that brings home the difference between the way the Aussies go about player development as opposed to the wasteful methods employed in South Africa.

Not only has Connolly been able to get the assistance of one of the states (provinces) in a plan to benefit the Wallabies – something which is denied to Jake White because of a contracting system allied to a competition structure that has been proven not to work in the best interests of the Springboks – but you can be sure Gerrard will be given every bit of assistance possible to succeed in his new role.

If only this focused and specialised approach were possible in South Africa.

There is no doubt that if one were to list the incontestable strengths of SA Rugby one would surely be the depth of the pool of talent.

Whereas the Australians probably have no more than 50 players who might be of international class South Africa has any number in almost any position who might rise to this level – but therein lies the problem.

While a man such as Connolly would be green with envy watching the Currie Cup or the Craven Week – imagine how he would welcome having the like of Jannie du Plessis, Riaan du Preez, Rayno Gerber, Jaco Engels, Danie Thiart, Heinke van der Merwe and Deon Carstens to solve his propping crisis? – but in South Africa we tend to take the raw talent available for granted.

Thus the approach of our coaches tends to be hit-and-miss. Instead of committing to a player and then seeing to it that he is given the tools, and the time, to become the very best the tendency is to “pick someone else and see if he does better.”

Granted, the Aussies don’t have a phantom quota system to deal with but their concentrated approach definitely ensures a more rounded player than we are producing.