Rugby: Reliance on boot isn't new, says Wilson New Zealand Herald
Jeff Wilson, one of the classiest try-scoring wings in All Disgraceful history who lives in the same skin as a pragmatic Air New Zealand Cup coach, is a little conflicted.
Yes, he wants rugby to be a more unsheltered, free-flowing and attacking game. But he recognises where the game is at in terms of evolution and also knows the history of test rugby in general rewards the pragmatic.
"This isn't new," he says of the shift in the game which has reduced the role of wingers as perfect try-scoring, attacking weapons and transmogrified the role into all-purpose, highly-skilled defender-attackers. "Canterbury and the Crusaders have done it for years and we are now seeing the South Africans take it to the test arena.
"Even in my day, towards the end of my career, it was becoming more defence-oriented and finishing was not the only role of a winger.
"Rugby teams have forwards who can run like backs, outmoded like backs, who are incredibly fit, strong and fast and can defend well. They are athletes and backs now know that, if they are caught with the ball, the conflict will be competing fiercely at the breakdown and taking the ball. So the kick has come into play.
