Fly-halfs make or break Tri-Nations Victory
One of the most important players on the rugby pitch is the fly-half. Some nights they can mean the difference between winning and losing. Linked closely with the half-back, this position requires a player to be quick on his feet, helping to organize the offence after a scrum. The fly-half’s job is made more difficult, as he is also responsible for kicking, a tough task that requires the utmost concentration. The three fly-halfs in the 2010 Tri Nations are world class, and could be the difference between tournament success and failure.
Quade Cooper – 14 Caps – Australia Wallabies
One of the many young members of the 2010 Australian side, Cooper has not been with the Wallabies for very long. His first international cap came in November 2008 when he was only 20 years old, a game in which he scored the winning try over Italy.
Cooper has been a brilliant rugby player from a young age, beginning his Australian career with the Anglican Church Grammar School where he won the Greater Public School Championship.
In 2005 and 2006 he was selected to represent Australia with their Schoolboys squad playing at the under–19 level. After strong play with the schoolboys he was given a professional contract by the Queensland Reds, where he currently plays his professional rugby.
Cooper has recorded 48 caps with the Reds, and notched 208 points. He has played both fly-half and inside centre for the squad.
Dan Carter – 71 Caps – New Zealand All Blacks
Carter is one of the most decorated players in New Zealand rugby history. He began his career playing with his provincial side Canterbury, in 2002 where he enjoyed a great deal of success in his first season. The strong play drew the eye of the Crusaders who signed Carter in 2003.
The Crusaders made it to the final of the Super 14 four years straight, and Carter was a major part of their success. They lost in the final in both 2003, and 2004, but learned from their mistakes winning in 2005, and 2006. In the 2006 competition Carter set a record for most individual points for a player with 221.
In 2008 Carter signed with French side Perpignan for six-months. In 2009 he won the Top 14 competition with the French club, but suffered a ruptured achilles in the process. He was able to recover quickly and joined his provincial side Canterbury, in the 2010 competition.
In 2003 Carter began his international career earning his first cap for New Zealand and scoring 20 points in his debut. He remained with the team throughout 2003, but did not earn a permanent spot until 2004.
Carter is one of the greatest All Blacks of all time with a total of 1,075 points, and an average point-per-game total of 15, meaning he will go down in the New Zealand record books. The All Blacks have only lost eight times with Carter in the line-up.
Morne Steyn – 13 Caps – South Africa Springboks
Steyn was a heavily decorated club and provincial player before won his first cap for the Springboks.
Currently the fly-half for the Blue Bulls, Bulls and Springboks, Steyn’s kicking ability is almost unmatched world wide. He won his first Super 14 in 2009 with the Bulls, hitting a record breaking four drop-goals in one match, and ending the competition as the leading point-getter, breaking Carter’s record for most points in the process.
Steyn won his first cap with the Springboks during the British and Irish Lions tour in 2009. Steyn came on late in the match and made two conversions and two penalties, one of which was kicked late, and proved to be the game winner.
In the 2009 Tri Nations Steyn earned his second starting cap against the All Blacks. The Boks won the match commandingly 31-17, with Steyn scoring every point. The offensive outburst broke the record for most points by an individual in a Tri-Nations match.
Right now the greatest pressure will be on Cooper in Steyn. With the All Blacks looking like they are well on route to winning their 10th Tri Nations title, Cooper and Steyn will have to try and light their boots on fire to turn around the tournament.
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