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The verdict is in on the Kolbe-at-No10 experiment

(Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Rugby World Cup winner Cheslin Kolbe is fast becoming the most versatile player on the planet after his performance at fly-half at the weekend. 

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The Springbok winger started at No10 for Toulouse against Racing 92 in the Top 14 on Sunday and he impressed many in a narrow 30-27 loss. 

With some of the most dangerous feet in the game, there was never any doubt that the 26-year-old was going to cause havoc in the middle of the field at fly-half, but there is a huge amount more required of that position.

However, his pass for Pita Ahki’s try was a glimpse of his vision as a half-back and a sign that he does not simply pose a threat as a runner, but as a distributor too. 

https://twitter.com/the_bash_factor/status/1229108882586427399?s=20

https://twitter.com/liam_gordont/status/1229136806609915904?s=20

However, it was his kicking display that received the most attention as it caught many fans off guard.

After scrum-half Sebastien Bezy went off with a head injury, the South African took on the kicking responsibilities for the team, amassing ten points through two penalties and two conversions. 

https://twitter.com/NdipzZingani/status/1229118552680079362?s=20

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Of these kicks, one was a 48-metre penalty and one was a touchline conversion, as Kolbe showed that he has many strings to his bow. 

It is one thing being asked to play at fly-half, but it is another to kick so impressively, particularly when very few were aware he was capable of it. 

Such was his display that he earned a place in the Top 14 team of the week and his stock as a rugby player has only risen. Accomplished across the back three, Kolbe can also play at scrum-half, so can now cover five positions across the back line. 

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He has even packed down at No8 for Toulouse in the past, although they were for one-off set moves, exploiting his explosive pace from the base of the scrum. 

With so many players on international duty, this was a risk which Toulouse felt had to be made and Kolbe’s excursion in a new position has potential.

WATCH: Schalk Brits speaks to RugbyPass about his experiences bringing the William Webb Ellis trophy back to South Africa

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Bull Shark 3 hours ago
Rassie Erasmus' Boks selection policy is becoming bizarre

To be fair, the only thing that drives engagement on this site is over the top critiques of Southern Hemisphere teams.


Or articles about people on podcasts criticizing southern hemisphere teams.


Articles regarding the Northern Hemisphere tend to be more positive than critical. I guess to also rile up kiwis and Saffers who seem to be the majority of followers in the comments section. There seems to be a whole department dedicated to Ireland’s world ranking news.


Despite being dialled into the Northern edition - I know sweet fokall about what’s going on in France.


And even less than fokall about what’s cutting in Japan - which has a fast growing, increasingly premium League competition emerging.


And let’s not talk about the pacific. Do they even play rugby Down there.


Oh and the Americas. I’ve read more articles about a young, stargazing Welshman’s foray into NFL than I have anything related to either the north and south continents of the Americas.


I will give credit that the women’s game is getting decent airtime. But for the rest and the above; it’s just pathetic coming from a World Rugby website.


Just consider the innovation emerging in Japan with the pedigree of coaches over there.


There’s so much good we could be reading.


Instead it’s unimaginative “critical for the sake of feigning controversial”. Which is lazy, because in order to pull that off all you need to be really good at is:


1. Being a doos;

2. Having an opinion.


No prior experience needed.


Which is not journalism. That’s like all or most of us in the comments section. People like Finn (who I believe is a RP contributor).


Anyway. Hopefully it will get better. The game is growing and the interest in the game is growing. Maybe it will attract more qualified journalists over time.

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