What exactly did Rodda do that was so impressive? I think he was probably the quietest of our locks.
I think this question is the heart of most of this discussion around locks and says a lot about reality vs perception. I find it somewhat ironic you can easily see the value in Simmons, but can’t see the same in Rodda who is essentially a better version of Simmons.
With regards to your first question he is very good in the tight, makes strong, often dominant tackles, is accurate at the breakdown, carry’s over the gain line, and has a very good work rate both on and off the ball - and he did all those things in the Irish series. He appears strong in the scrum and is a good lineout operater.
So I’ll turn the question around - what do you want from him? I concede he doesn’t make a lot of trampling 10 metre surges. He also doesn’t make 60 metre clearance kicks or 30 metre right to left cut outs and I think most would recognise that isn’t what he is there for.
People need to understand that Rettallick is the exception, not the rule. Even Etzebeth can’t measure up against him. Whitelock certainly isn’t a brute. The reality is that rampaging runs aren’t a characteristic that the vast majority of good locks have had. Eales, Matfield & Sharpe weren’t brutes. Even the likes of McCall, Vickerman, Johnson & Thorn were grafters in the tight rather than prominent ball runners in the loose.
The role of ball runners is taken up by others who get the chance to do their job because both Rodda & Simmons do theirs.
