What else can you do well?

Having watched an episode of Lekker Rugby Pod where they looked at important stats that most of us don't consider, and then seeing Itoje make three steals yesterday, i just thought I'd make this quick post.

Same as with making a purchase, all things being equal, one would tend to take the option that comes with the most freebies attached.

The argument of "It's not an X's job to..." is surely a silly one in a time where skill ceilings are constantly rising.

It's not a 10's job to score tries...tell Sacha that. It's not a lock's job to make a million tackles...tell Nortje that. Props are slow...tell Porthen that. It's not a 9's job to get stuck in to everything always...tell Faf that.

I think it's time we put to bed the idea that nothing outside the conventional requirements need to be considered when discussing a player. In fact, I think we should be asking "Yes, but what else can you do?"

I actually thought about this during the Ita v Eng game. Looking at what a player like a flyhalf to do. Be a brilliant out of hand kicker, passer and goal kicker. Bonus if he has some pace and extra bonus if he can be direct and physical like Honriball but not as great as Carter. Which other sport do you require your players to have multiple skill sets in one game.

the nfl has so many player that just does one thing all the time.

yes, traditionally some players back in the day was to scrum, jump, tackle and your 8 was your link player.

that is why I love this game. There are still room for all shapes and sizes, yet it also allow the multi skilled players to shine and an extra dimension. I wish the pundits would stop focussing on one skill set and also look at what makes a complete rugby player and just remember that when we all started playing the game we just wanted to het our hands on the ball and run as fast as we can, nobody said you are a prop or this or that. So many players are different players to what they were are school. Fassi was actually a flyhalf at school and a very good one. Would you play him at 10 today?

Look at Moodie with the massive tackles these days.

I rewatched the Wellington game today. He put in a couple of proper bone crunchers in that game.

Now assume you have to choose between two identical players but one has the added benefit of making massive hits. It's a no brainer who you select.

Then, considering that the concept of small margins is some of our favourite jargon, what if each player in your 23 has one extra thing that they do far better than expected in for a player in their position. Sacha's tries, Porthen's pace, Faf's tackling, AE's hybrid, Nortje's tackle count and so on.

That cumulative benefit probably stacks up.

I think we have the making of a fantastic midfield flyhallf axis. Now we just need a great 9. Think Pead is about 3 years away from breaking through by which the likes of Sasha will be 26 / 27.

9 - van der berg (28) Pead, (20)

11 - Jooste 19 (75 kg, 175 cm)

10 - Sasha (24)

12 - Hooker (23)

13 - Moodie (23)

14 - Williams 20 (75 kg, 175 cm)

15 - Willemse (27) Fassi (28)

Future wingers

Jooste 19 (75 kg, 175 cm)

Williams 20 (75 kg, 175 cm)

We are a bit light on world class wingers. I know that Hooker and Moodie have been covering that space, but I don't see any new players other than De Klerk coming through. But then we have the likes of Jooste and Williams from the bulls and sharks coming through

They are both small, but I know Arendse and Kolbe has shown the way for smaller wingers in how they can excel but it will take them a while to learn their trade against bigger players.

These players except van den berg over the next 9 years there will be 3 world cups. So they can be primed to peak in 31 and 35. Some may not feature in 27. Moodie and Hooker along with Sasha are prime candidates to make the team as they are so versatile and can cover wing and centres.