HJ, I was more talking about the apparent drop in skill level from 2010/2011 (and previous years) to now.
Sure there are obvious guys that came to the game late (Higgebum for example) who obviously lack some of the skills compared to others that have played the game through the developing years you mentioned.
This year, most of the Australian super rugby players individual skills just haven't appeared to be that of previous years. These are largely the same guys I am talking about. Balls that were previously caught are now spilled, tackles that were previously made are now missed, passes that were previously in front of the man are now behind their head, and most importantly of all situational awareness that was previously present is now completely non existent (which leads to missed try scoring opportunities, poor defensive structures, no support play when breaks are made, players getting isolated through poor game choices etc).
I don't know what has caused this, but is most evident when comparing the 2011 Tahs & Reds to 2012 Tahs and Reds. The players are largely the same, but they have played completely differently. 2012 skills are just horrible by comparison.
Through 2010 and leading up to 2011 world cup I thought maybe we were moving in the right direction and possibly Deans might be realising his vision and plan (maybe
), but this year??? Something changed and I don't think it is all due to one guy.
Skill sets Thugby League is a bit of a different topic to what I was trying to say, but a very worthy discussion point as well, particularly if the players we have come from that background (I would say that the athleticism and skills shown by most NRL players now is something I have never seen before though) - probably not really relevant to this thread though.