Rugby: Trio open up options

Robbie Robinson. Photo / Getty Images

There is a different view to take when it comes to the emerging talent of Colin Slade and Robbie Robinson. Even Stephen Brett for that matter.

Given the paucity of candidates, everyone wants to believe these are the men primed to become the successors to Dan Carter's throne. Maybe one day.

In the meantime, Slade, Robinson and maybe even Brett are potentially outstanding utility backs.

It's more than that - these three could be vying for the same All Black World Cup spot in two years.

We know the current All Black coaches love versatility. They want multiple options. Our knowledge extends to being certain that, come the World Cup, there will be a place for a utility.

What we also know is that, until now, a utility is a player who has a great range of skills that potentially allow him to wear a number of jerseys - hence he gets picked on the bench.

In essence they are a jack of all trades, master of none which is exposed when they end up having to start a test without enough specific experience in a particular position.

Take Isaia Toeava. He's quick. He's big so he can handle the physicality of the midfield and he has a booming boot.

Toeava has played at 10, 12, 13, 14 and 15 for the Blues and 13, 14 and 15 for the All Blacks. The sad truth about Toeava is that he's dynamite right up until he's asked to start a test. Then he falters - his qualities are theoretical rather than actual.

But Slade and Robinson are going to force a re-think of the term utility. They don't fit the current mould.

Slade is different. Yes, he has a great range of foundation skills but he's also proven he can tailor those skills so they are position-specific.

The Crusaders don't use him off the bench and nor do Canterbury. When he played on the wing in Super 14, he stacked up as one of the best New Zealanders in the competition. Right now, he'd stack up as the best fullback in the provincial championship. His work under the high ball is exceptional and he's alive to counter-attack opportunities.

If he was thrown the No 10 jersey, given some time in it, there's little doubt he'd be considered an All Black candidate in that role, too.

All that plus - his trump card - he can goal-kick. That's the clincher, because when you look at the original 30-man squad chosen for the Tri Nations, only two players (Stephen Donald and Luke McAlister) can goal-kick. There was no choice but to select them in the match-day 22. With Carter back and Slade in the mix, the options really open up.

Canterbury coach Rob Penney is certain Slade could be a world class fullback.

"I think Colin's personal belief is that he would like to play at 10. And that is probably where he will end up.

"But for the time being his development is being enhanced by playing a number of positions that are giving him a good insight.

"He's got great courage, he can goal-kick, he plays with maturity and with the World Cup two years away, you'd say he could be in the mix as a utility back."

Penney's right - Slade, despite his desire to establish himself as a first five, has so many boxes ticked that whether he likes it or not, he's going to appeal as a utility option.

That is unlikely to change in the immediate future as his time in the No 10 jersey will be limited. With Carter back with the Crusaders and Leon MacDonald in Japan, there is a gap in Todd Blackadder's squad for a fullback. That's Slade and you would fancy that by the end of next year's Super 14, injuries notwithstanding, he'll be knocking hard on the All Blacks' door.

It would be a surprise if Robinson was alongside, but in another year...

The Southland first five was off-limits to the Highlanders this year as it was deemed he wasn't physically ready for Super 14. The embargo will be lifted next year and Robinson looks just the sort who could add venom to the Highlanders.

He's quick off the mark and has fast feet that unsettle defenders and take him past the first tackler. He finds holes to run into, reads the game well and can kick from hand. Just like Slade, he can also kick goals and, while he's being used at No 10 for now, Southland's backs coach, Simon Culhane, can see him long-term at second five.

Robinson could become a world class fullback. He looks that good many observers compare him with another Southland wunderkind - Jeff Wilson.

Still only 19, the only doubt with Robinson is how well he copes with the increased physicality of Super 14. He's only 1.79m and 85kg. It's probably fair, too, to ponder how much quality ball he'll receive when he's with the Highlanders.

The southern franchise are well-organised and play with width and rhythm but faded badly last season when their forwards ran out of puff.

If Robinson settles well next year, it's possible he might be encouraged to shift franchise in 2011 so the All Black selectors are better able to make a judgement about his ability.

And, as we know, there has already been opinion voiced about Brett and his need to shift from the Crusaders. His talent looks better suited to first five than anywhere else despite his having been used at fullback and second five.

Like the other two he can kick goals and has extraordinary vision and innovation. What he also has are brain explosions where he attempts the impossible in improbable places.

That lack of conformity; that tendency to go off-piste is why his star has faded. Once the hottest emerging property in the game, he is now lucky to get a start for even Canterbury.

Penney says that will change when Carter rejoins the All Blacks. The coach also says that Brett has been plagued by niggling injuries that have: "Robbed him some of his speed. When Stephen is fit and running freely at full pace, that's when he threatens inside channels. I think the few weeks rest he has had will do him a lot of good and

Coaches want flair and invention but it has to be packaged correctly. The structural stuff has to be there first. Brett is too random. Until he learns how to get through the 80 minutes delivering the right mix of content, he'll stay on the periphery.