The Best South Australian XV? ... by John Davies

Old Collegians First Grade Coach, former South Australian Rugby Union Coach at Schoolboys, Colts and Senior State levels

From Rugby Review, South Australia, Vol. 1, No. 1, 20th July 1986

I have been asked to select what I consider to be the best rugby team from players in South Australia over the past decade.

There are a number of factors which make this task difficult and these need to be considered because of their influence on my selection.
First, there is always a bias towards those players whom you have greatest contact with; i.e., those that you have seen play most often.
Second, one's selection will be influenced by the success of teams. Players in such teams have an advantage over players who are not supported by a strong successful team.
Third, it is easy to become complacent with our domestic competition and to be satisfied with local levels of skill, fitness and knowledge of the game.

The real test of our ability is to measure ourselves against the best. So I apologize for what I know will be bias caused by the first two factors, but make no apology for selecting a team which I consider would do well against skilled, strong opposition. As a basis for my selection I have looked for players who are most skilled in the requirements for their positions and have the personality and strength of character to persevere when under pressure.

FULL BACK
Various players come to mind such as T. Londeria with his very powerful kicking, Wayne Rosendale, an exciting runner with a fine pair of hands and John Gherardi an excellent all round performer. However, in my mind there are two outstanding candidates for the position. John Fidock is a beautifully balanced player with a fine positional sense and surely one of the best place kickers in Australia on his day. The other player is Ben Perkins, a supremely confident player with skills to match. Another fine kicker of the ball, Ben shows the flair which can win matches. In a close decision my choice is Ben Perkins because I feel his all round game, particularly in defence, is a little stronger.

WINGS
This is not an easy choice as wingers need to have pace, power, good evasive skills and a sound defence. I have not seen too many players who combine all of these. David Glanville showed pace, a 'dummy' which gave him many a try and a good defence. Jamie Perkins and Mike Raymond show real speed while Richard Sara is a strong runner and good finisher. Michael Bynoe is a very elusive runner with real pace. Jerry Satala is a really impressive and exciting runner with the ball. This is my most difficult selection in the whole team and I have attempted to balance the attacking skills of Jerry Satala with the sound all round game of David Glanville.

CENTRES
A fine defensive pair would be Evan Duff and Ross Delamotte while Michael Byrne, Robert Hoffroeyer and Dennis Church are all well balanced players, but the most elusive would be Robbie Sen. The inside centre needs to be a good distributor of the ball with the ability and timing to release the outside backs and bring in the extra man. In addition the inside centre is crucial in defence and a strong tackler is required. Sean Beaton fills this role better than any other player I know and while he would probably prefer to play at five-eight (and could also fill the half-back position) I feel that the backline would best be served with Sean at in-side centre. My choice for outside centre would be Steve Rowe. His elusive running and speed gave him the ability to split the defence and make the most of any half chances.

FIVE EIGHTH
A key position requiring good hands, kicking ability and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Players such as Graham Air, Nigel Corkin and Jerry Fogarty have impressed but the most consistent player I have seen in this position has been Phillip Carroll. He demonstrated all the above skills, along with a good defence and a punishing ability to counter attack.

HALF BACK
Since the time of Rod Hauser, South Australia has had a number of excellent half backs. On a wet day behind a driving pack one would not go beyond Colin Rutledge. Tony Delipea has a fast long pass and good all round skills and I believe he has been underestimated for a long time. My choice however lies between Derek Newman and Simon Doughty. Both had excellent passes, strong defences and the ability to break from set and loose play. Simon Doughty probably plays a better kicking game when required and because of this gets my selection.

PROP FORWARDS
These players must be technically sound and powerful scrummagers who can provide good support in the lineout and around the field. There have been many good props including Gino Cavvoto, Warren Bund, Tim Campion, Greg Dodd, George Justice, Warren Brown, Mike Severn and Peter Hirle. I would be happy <<< original text lost >>> Severn. My choices are Greg Dodd and Peter Hirle.

HOOKER
A number of hookers would be capable of winning their own ball including Greg Millar. Stuart Ridley, Richard Waddicor, Tony Nugent and Martin Pritchard. So it is other aspects of the game such as throwing in and the ability to play a hard tight game which will influence my decision. Steve Kowalick is the most consistent all round player and provides a bonus with his excellent play in the loose; he is my choice as hooker.

SECOND ROW
Winning lineout ball is essential to success in modern rugby and so my first choice is Dennis Hayden, unequalled as a jumper at number two and with remarkable mobility for a big man. His partner could be any one of Dave Kent, Jeff Quinn, Aisea Raikiwasa or Brian Sullivan. I have selected a player with outstanding skills in many aspects of forward game which, when coupled with his competitive nature and mobility makes him an ideal partner for Dennis: Bob Inskip.

WING FORWARDS
A difficult choice because of the number of candidates. These players need to be fast and strong, capable of putting pressure on opposition backs and supporting their own backline. One should be a good lineout forward so that along with the number eight, the pack have four jumpers. They must be strong tacklers fit enough to be always on the ball. Players such as Jimmy Wilson, Dave Stark and Rick Dunstan demonstrate a tremendous capacity for work and never know when they are beaten. Henry Dyksman is a good lineout jumper and an exciting running (sic), while Phil Evan was a devastating tackler. Greg Pearse. Chas Norman, Rick Jones and Geraint Compton are all similar players with considerable running and positional skills. Greg Pearse was a real thinker of the game and a natural leader and I would select him as Captain. The other wing forward would be either Geraint Compton or Rick Jones for their lineout skills. I find a choice here really difficult. Geraint is a gifted player while Rick had real pace and great determination. I select Rick Jones on the basis that he may complement the skills of Greg Pearse a little more.

NUMBER EIGHT
Steve Cochrane is a talented 'gutsy' player, but in the past ten years the outstanding forward in the State has been Phil Bruce. Phil is a player of considerable talent who reads the game well. He is courageous and proud, qualities which when coupled with his skills make him a formidable opponent.

My team therefore is as follows: B. Perkins, S. Beaton, D. Glanville, P. Hirle, D.Hayden, R. Inskip, G. Pearse (Old Collegians). S. Rowe, P. Carrol, S. Kowalick, P. Bruce (Brighton), S. Satala, S. Doughty (Onkaparinga), G. Dodd (Woodville), R. Jones (University)