An article in the AUCKLAND SUNDAY STAR TIMES indicate that THE ALL BLACKS selection panel are in desperate search for a new and more dynamic scrumhalf. They –the selection panel- appear poised to spring a surprise with confirmation coming yesterday from assistant coach Wayne Smith that he and head coach Graham Henry believe rugby has a new kingpin: the halfback.

The reign and control once exerted by the flyhalf is on the wane according the Smith and Henry and the search is on for a No9 who, first and foremost, can run and therefore take advantage of the new powers bestowed upon the position by the game’s lawmakers.

The new law interpretations “mean the halfback is much more important than he used to be” according the Wayne Smith.

“It is only my opinion, but Ted [Henry] and I have [analysed] every Super 14 game,” he said. “We have been focusing more on the top teams to see what is happening and what is working, and that is something we have seen, that the No9s are becoming more important than previously”.
“There’s now more opportunity for them to run and get in behind defences, by picking up the ball and probing gaps close to the breakdown or down the blindsides, because there are plenty of opportunities there.

“They are there for the taking and teams that have a good No9, who can do that, are winning a lot of matches.”
Smith and Henry are of the opinion that one of the keys to the Queensland Reds’ success this year is their scrumhalf, Will Genia. Genia intelligent darts and probes around the fringes combined with his low centre of gravity which makes him hard to tackle and a constant threat to the opposition. He keeps his pack on the front foot; takes pressure of the flyhalf and bring lots of variation on attack.

Smith said the message had been sent to New Zealand’s scrumhalf’s to play in a similar way. He also mentioned the fact that they have been working with Jimmy Cowan over the last couple of weeks to turn him into a Genia type scrumhalf.

He also referred to Piri Weepu which he feels should run more when he gets opportunities. This is interesting as Weepu was sacked just before the 2007 world cup which is the reason, some believe, why the All Blacks couldn’t turn their fortunes in the match against France.

Weepu with his lower centre of gravity, larger body weight and good upper and lower body strength has been outstanding in 2006 against the Springboks and his ability to take the ball up was one of the reasons why Jake Whites Springbok side lost a very close match in Dunedin during the 2006 tri-nations.

One of the current All Black coaches’ pet topics are vision and innovation which they feel is lacking in New Zealand rugby on all levels at the moment. This is interesting as that is exactly what these coaches have demonstrated with the sacking of Peru Weepu in 2007.

Another no.9 they are eyeing is Kahn Fotuali’i. The Tasman scrumhalf has shared the Crusaders’ No9 jersey with Andy Ellis this year.
But in recent times the upstart has jumped ahead of his more esteemed colleague. Crusaders coach Todd Blackadder started Fotuali’i in the match against the Stormers. Ellis came on as a replacement when Fotuali’i injured a knee.

Smith has been as impressed as Blackadder and on Friday fuelled speculation that either Fotuali’i, or Alby Mathewson, who are the two scrumhalves in New Zealand who most resemble Genia, could be in line for an All Blacks call-up.
“We have had some players put their hands up,” Smith confirmed.

“He [Fotuali’i] is an example of that. There are others as well we know are up to the level – they have proven it.

“The key point is, if you are just going to pass or kick it you are not going to cut the mustard.

“You have to have more to your game now. That is critical. So it is a good time for running scrumhalves.”

If Fotuali’i recovers, his hopes of an All Blacks call-up could be decided next weekend.

The Crusaders’ next opponents are the Bulls. A commanding performance against Fourie du Preez, who, along with Genia, is the most complete No9 in the world, would confirm the hype surrounding Fotuali’i is real rather than imagined.

Smith and Henry have made similar sounds during last years tri-nations and their opinion on this matter seems to have been reinforced by this years S14. It is quite an interesting fact that teams like the brumbies with one playmaker namley Gitua have been less successful this year. A lot has been made about Quade Cooper this year but the role of Genia in the Reds and Coopers spectacular runs so far has not really been acknowledged.