Ex Keo
RYAN VREDE wonders whether Francois Hougaard is a more potent wing than he is a scrumhalf.
How long is long enough before making fair and accurate judgements on where Hougaard is better suited? I’m almost certain six Super Rugby matches is too soon. But then he has played the bulk of a Currie Cup campaign and some Tests there and while judgement should be reserved, the debate needs to be opened.
As a point of departure, this isn’t a question of aptitude because Hougaard is undoubtedly gifted in both positions. It is a question of where his greater aptitude lies. (Which depends also on who else is available as scrummeies and wings)
Recruited to the Bulls in late 2007 with the intention of eventually succeeding Fourie du Preez at scrumhalf, Hougaard forced his way into the starting line-up as a wing after convincing (through his work ethic and performances in training) the coaching staff and senior men that he was a special player. He never for a second looked out of place and was never awed by the weight of expectation that accompanied replacing Bryan Habana. He scored crucial tries in the biggest matches and was elevated to the Springboks’ side in 2009 (and stayed there) off the back of his form as a winger.
His acceleration and pace matched and sometimes surpassed the elite wingers in the game, his running lines and eye for a space was outstanding, his positional awareness was good and his ability to consistently power through tackles on attack and execute them effectively on defence belied his physical constitution. I can’t make a judgement of his skill under the high ball because I haven’t seen him take enough for that opinion to be informed, but on the evidence available he is solid.
But he doesn’t elicit the same level of excitement and sense of expectation in me with the No 9 shirt on his back. Part of that tempered view is that he is being asked to play in a manner that I don’t believe harnesses and amplifies his strengths. His box kicking is ordinary and won’t improve in the exponential manner it needs to for him to be a tactical fulcrum with the Bulls and Boks like Du Preez was. It would be grossly inaccurate to suggest he would be set up to fail if asked to continue to play this way. He can but that doesn’t mean he should.
The Bulls are unmoved in their belief that Hougaard is best deployed at scrumhalf. Frans Ludeke reinforced that point to me in an informal discussion earlier this week. Yet his potency when shifted to the wing to accommodate Jano Vermaak in the second half of matches increases notably. Certainly the space and time he is afforded on the wing has much to do with this. But that’s just the point, right? Surely you want Hougaard in space and with time to plot his assault?
He may yet settle into the position he considers his best and indeed the one Du Preez predicted he would rise to be the world’s pre-eminent player in. That sort of ordination from the best scrumhalf ever to play the game does carry significant weight. Maybe time will refine Hougaard into the player Du Preez envisages him becoming.
Right now I don’t see that, although I cannot say with certainty that I have nailed my colours to the mast of those who are convinced he is best suited to wing. I do, however, have the the hammer and nail at the ready and it would take a string of excellent showings at scrumhalf for Hougaard to stay my hand from action.
Tricky one as certainly he can make a success of both positions. We also have other scrummies and wings. Must say I do like watching his play on the wing. I think Meyer will use Morne and Hougaard as his halfbacks. Morne needs an attacking scrummie. Hougaard needs to sharpen up on his pass its a bit wayward at times.
