In an engaging episode of the For The Love Of Rugby podcast, former England players Ben Youngs and Anthony Watson delved into a riveting comparison between two of rugby's current top wingers: Cheslin Kolbe of South Africa and New Zealand's Will Jordan. As these two nations prepare to clash in the four-match Test series in Johannesburg on August 22, the spotlight intensifies on their exceptional talents.
Watson highlighted the pure speed of both players, noting, "They are both completely rapid," but leaned towards Jordan in a hypothetical race, saying,
"I actually reckon Will Jordan is probably faster."
Indeed, while speed is a crucial element for any winger, Watson also praised Kolbe's versatile skills across the rugby field. He remarked on Kolbe’s ability to adapt to various positions and responsibilities, making him one of the game's most complete players.
The discussion then shifted to the sheer try-scoring ability where Jordan seems to have an edge with an almost unrivaled strike rate at the international level. This comparison led Watson to speculate that Kolbe might not match Jordan's impressive scoring stats if he were in the All Blacks' setup. Youngs added insight into Jordan's knack for being in the right place at the right time, emphasizing his anticipation and skill at capitalizing on offloads.
"It's just purely that right place, right time, it’s anticipation, it’s knowing where the offload is going to come."
The talk veered towards the daunting prospect of defending against Kolbe. Youngs, having faced Kolbe in the 2019 World Cup final, vividly described the challenge: "You know it’s coming, and you can do your best to try and shape and try, but you still can’t stop it." Watson also lamented the difficulty in containing Kolbe, emphasizing his speed and strength in evasive maneuvers.
Adding to Kolbe's accolades, Watson declared,
"For me, he’s got the best footwork there’s ever been."
The conversation wasn't just about these two stars. Attention also turned north to Louis Bielle-Biarrey, a rising talent who at 23, is making waves in European rugby. Watson voiced that while Bielle-Biarrey excels in many facets of play, he still lags slightly behind in the air and in footwork when compared to Kolbe and Jordan.
As the podcast wrapped up, Watson expressed confidence in Bielle-Biarrey's potential, predicting that "at some stage in his career he will be the number one winger in the world." This forward-looking statement not only acknowledges a burgeoning talent but also frames the ongoing evolution of the game as these athletes push the boundaries of what's possible on the rugby field.
As rugby fans around the world anticipate the upcoming series, the debate over who reigns supreme on the wings adds an extra layer of excitement to the legendary rivalry. With players like Kolbe and Jordan, each match promises not just a contest of teams, but a showcase of some of the most electrifying individuals in the sport today.
