Wynne Gray: Still waiting for next Bachop

A year ago Will Genia was an irregular pick in the Reds squad.

He is now the best halfback in the Wallabies setup, Reds captain and set to rival Australian test greats such as Ken Catchpole, Nick Farr-Jones and George Gregan.

On our side of the ditch? Slim pickings.

The All Blacks have only had a couple of contenders to qualify for a list of halfback greats in the past two decades. More than 20 players have worn the black No 9 jersey in that time with Graeme Bachop, by some distance, the classiest performer.

Bachop was brilliant, the best of the lot. Like all players he had moments when his game left him, but the fundamentals of his iron-wristed bullet pass, fierce acceleration, cover defence and tidy kicking game placed him at the head of the queue.

By dint of his longevity, Justin Marshall will have many supporters. What he lacked in some classic skills he superceded with his combative nature and rugby instincts in an extended career.

The current crew of Jimmy Cowan, Piri Weepu, Brendon Leonard, Andy Ellis and Alby Mathewson - yes they have all toured with the All Blacks in the past few years - all have their strengths without that commanding presence.

It is such a rare commodity which separates the great from the very good - that time on the ball, the generalship, poise and instincts which cannot be taught or learned.

That potpourri of class propelled halfbacks such as Gareth Edwards, Ken Catchpole, Sid Going, Nick Farr-Jones, Joost van der Westhuizen, Agustin Pichot and Fourie du Preez into the rarefied atmosphere of greatness.

If such a player were to emerge in New Zealand this season, there would be a warmer feeling about national prospects at the seventh World Cup.

There have been times when Leonard's talent package suggests he might burst out of the pack, but then he sustains another injury and falls away.

Weepu's positional switches, physical fluctuations and combustible character have delivered a parabolic form graph.

He has the best pass, kick and instincts when he is in the zone. Questions remain about that frequency.

Cowan delivers an abrasive combativeness, never-say-die nature, a steady game without that killer clout which distinguishes the very best scrumhalves.

Ellis is steady and dependable, Mathewson may be a spark waiting to light.

His joust with Genia tonight in Brisbane will bring a fascinating comparison.

Genia may not figure, like any halfback his impact will be reduced if his forwards fail to fire. But it is his range of skills to watch for, his direction, his sixth sense, his ability to read the rhythm of the game and respond.