Quote nickcat0="nickcat0"I have a theory, no proof, just a theory ........... the potential talented backs of the future are all playing football, instead of rugby, from a young age.
You know how at school there was one kid who was excellent at all the sports ..... well these are the kids who grow up to be the pro sportsmen. Back in the day, these kids, if they grew up in certain areas of Yorkshire, Lancashire or Cumbria would concentrate on their rugby. Nowadays in the UK, the big strong kid will still play rugby and turn into a forward; but the quick, lithe kid will, from an early age concentrate on his football, and be lost to the game of rugby.
The domination of football (especially the Premiership) in this country is killing other sports.'"
I agree. The Aussie backs are superior in speed, strength and physique to the UK produced players. Matt Duffie who is a promising winger at Melbourne is a former schoolboy athletics champion at high jump and 200m. This is one example. We will always struggle to compete against the Aussies as one sport does not dominate down under as it does over here.
