Quote: Wildmoggy "I agree with most of what you say, and it's an interesting point about Johnstone, and the other wingers. I just don't think we have wingers' centres! I think they have good attributes, in differing ways, but it's not in their natural instinct, like say a Matthew Gidley etc, to put their winger away at every opportunity. Reece Lyne, Tupou scored similar tries using strength near the line, and particularly Lyne has been excellent so far, but neither are naturally inclined to find their winger, although to be fair Lyne has a decent out the back door pass. A lot of Johnstone's tries last season were opportunistic, a few interceptions etc, because he's so naturally athletic and is reading the game well now as he develops. I actually thought last season Arundel got him in space more than any other centre, so will be interesting to see if he's his partner in the next few games with presumably Lyne out for a while.'"
Gibson is the closest to a traditional centre we have. The debate rages on whether you need a creative centre or a powerhouse who drives the ball out instead depending on the halfbacks to find the cut out ball as was Tim Smith speciality.
Personally I think both work if done correctly. There was nothing special about Australia's centre play in the recent internationals but their power alone blew us away. I agree the old way looked prettier but there must be a reason why centres are rarely used that way anymore.