In Pursuit Of A Perfect 10

Sydney Morning Herald

Saturday April 30, 2005

Ben Kimber

The answer to the Waratahs' perennial five-eighth debate may be a Stephen Larkham clone.

Brumbies reserve Sam Norton-Knight, who resembles Larkham when in Brumbies jersey and headgear, is hot property on the player market, with Queensland the only Australian Super 14 team not talking to the 21-year-old.

And the fact that NSW have shown particular interest is hardly surprising.

While depth in the Waratahs squad has been a significant factor this year, as the player list for 2006 takes shape there remains one gaping hole - the No.10 spot, with a total of zero options currently on the books.

Next year's plans were thrown wide open after Lachlan MacKay tore the scab off the slowly healing wound of the NSW pivot problem by signing for the Western Force, while Shaun Berne has stated his desire to play inside-centre and Tim Donnelly is as yet unsigned.

Enter Norton-Knight as a leading candidate.

"I have been approached by NSW and I had an opportunity to meet [coach] Ewen [McKenzie] and he sort of indicated how they could progress my game at NSW, and it's just another decision to weigh up there," Norton-Knight said yesterday.

The Canberra-born five-eighth has caught the eye this year with skilful excursions in the Brumbies' back line, characterised by smooth hands and a solid kicking and running game.

Norton-Knight is next in line behind Larkham and fellow Wallaby Matt Giteau as ACT five-eighth, but NSW and the Force may get another chance to run their eye over him today if Giteau is ruled out of the game against the Hurricanes because of a back strain.

And therein lies the dilemma for Norton-Knight.

"The key factor for me is where I can develop best as a player and what environment is going to be conducive to that," he said. "Is it going to be sitting back in the shadows and learning off the Larkhams and the Giteaus, or is it going to be thrust straight into a No.10 jersey, perhaps? I'm only 10 games into my, sort of, rugby career, so I have to weigh up whether I'm ready to take on that role.

"The risk is there both ways. If I stay here and develop under those guys I might not get an opportunity, someone else might come up, but if I go somewhere where I do get an opportunity and I botch it, then the same thing happens."

Norton-Knight is by no means guaranteed a start with the Waratahs but NSW remains the only destination where a starting five-eighth position appears available, with MacKay virtually guaranteed a spot in the west and Larkham and Giteau as ensconced in Canberra as Elton Flatley and Julian Huxley are in Queensland.

And, as McKenzie concedes, the Waratahs have to sign two, not just one, five-eighth possibilities for next year.

"I think we might look at a couple of positions there," McKenzie said. "There's some good players around ... we haven't defined the limits of it yet but we'll definitely have a look and see what's out there."

One man who knows the level of talent coming through is widely respected Australian under-19s coach Scott Wisemantel.

After leading Australia in an agonising under-19s world cup campaign this month in which the side was defeated in the semi-finals by New Zealand in a penalty goal shootout, Wisemantel has fielded calls from all four Australian provinces seeking advice on the best young players.

Wisemantel concedes there will be more pressure on young players to step up now in the expanded market but is confident there are players who can make the grade. And he has more positive news for Australian and NSW rugby by suggesting there is no shortage of potential five-eighths at the moment.

"If you're talking about NSW looking for a 10, then Tim Donnelly kills it," he said. "You only have to look at the first two rounds of the Super 12 last year and everyone was saying he was the solution. It's quite unbelievable that everyone has forgotten about Tim because the bloke can actually guide a team around the field.

"And [Australian under-19s pivot] Scott Daruda, who is unsigned but with Queensland this year, is an exciting prospect. His tactical kicking is very, very good and when he takes it to the line he's a dangerous player. And the other player who might have gone under the radar is Sam Norton-Knight. There's no shortage, there's three players right there they can talk to. It's exciting times, I reckon."

Exciting they may be but NSW will hope to sign two players who can offer some long-term security at pivot. If Donnelly is re-signed, the Waratahs would hope to also grab one of the young prospects and, of course, rugby league remains an ever-present possibility.

Whether the name on the team sheet next year is Tim Donnelly, Sam Norton-Knight or even Braith Anasta, the good news is there are options out there. Now they just have to sign someone.

© 2005 Sydney Morning Herald

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