Rugby World Cup
Renaissance of the smaller player has been refreshing for rugby
Tom May
October 21, 2015
World Cup organisers admit Joubert's Scotland error

This World Cup has been incredible for many reasons. The highlight for many will be the way the smaller nations have performed, especially Japan. They have punched well above their weight and made the tournament a real spectacle. As a host nation, we are lucky to have had so many games of this calibre, right on our doorstep.

But for me, the highlight has been slightly different. The rejuvenation of the 'small' rugby player has got me buzzing. I love the fact that we are watching some 'pint-sized' men run rings round some monstrously-sized humans.

Rugby truly is a game for all shapes and sizes but over the last decade we have seen a massive focus on big, powerful, He-Man sized athletes. This focus led to a game which meant rugby union became a version of league, with two more players on the pitch. And some different rules, but you get the picture. Rugby became a power game similar to the one South Africa prefer to use meaning creativity and rugby understanding went out of the window to be replaced by biceps, pecs and quads.

Rugby World Cup 2015 has breathed new life into the game and we can thank the 'small men' for that. I use the term 'small men' as a compliment, it's far from derogatory. These players have shaped the World Cup so far with their performances and I can't wait to see them playing again in the semifinals and final. Their games are based on pace, agility, skill, understanding and an ability to read the game which, in turn, creates space for others. The 'others' might be the size of a house but it's those more creative individuals who are the ones inspiring kids watching at home to do the same.

Argentina, New Zealand and Australia (before their game against Scotland) have demonstrated how doing the simple and basic things well counts for so much. You don't have to be Harry Potter to use magic. Matt Giteau of Australia alongside All Blacks Ben and Conrad Smith simply use the art of running straight to create cavernous space for their teammates. They focus on the skills we see being practised and coached every weekend by minis and juniors -- handling, lines of running and playing what works against the defensive line in front of you.

Trying to knock that fence down is one way but small people can tackle. Fix the defenders to the spot and find the space they have left uncovered. It's a big game of cat and mouse, deception and bluff but it makes the game beautiful to watch.

© FRANCK FIFE/AFP/Getty Images

Nowhere has there been more of a seismic shift than in the Pampas of Argentina. Until fairly recently they based their game on power and strength up front in the forwards. A big focus on kick chase and an ability to win the aerial battle. They still have that but they have developed an expansive style of play incredibly well and in a relatively short period of time.

Their performance against Ireland in the opening 30 and closing 15 minutes of the quarterfinal in Cardiff was an outstanding display of creativity. At the centre were Nicolas Sanchez, Santiago Cordero, Juan Imhoff and Joaquin Tuculet. You could include Juan Martin Hernandez but for the purpose of this argument, he is too tall! 

The Pumas' back three is arguably the best unit in World Rugby at the moment. Not only do they have pace and cat-like agility, they know when a defender is dead. Cordero stood Dave Kearney up to isolate his brother Rob and feed Matias Moroni in what was a simple finish. Class. It was Tuculet, Sanchez and Cordero again who provided Imhoff with an opportunity to dot down for Argentina's second too. No mugs. They knew exactly what they were trying to do and they executed with immaculate precision.

Can Argentina pull off the unthinkable?
%]

New Zealand have an ability to stand toe to toe with the likes of South Africa but combine that with some of the best running and handling skills in the game. They all want to play, one to 15. Look at Charlie Faumuina and Joe Moody. Both props with an ability to offload 'out the back door'. Dan Carter is back to his creative best and his setup for one of Julian Savea's tries against France was out of this world.

Nehe Milner-Skudder, The Smiths of Ben, Conrad and Aaron plus Carter are the fulcrum around which the All Blacks build their game. Add to that Beauden Barrett and Colin Slade and there are a number of players capable of creating vast spaces for the monsters to pile through. Arm tackles are the minimum requirement and the likes of Savea, Ma'a Nonu, Jerome Kaino, Sonny-Bill Williams and Kieran Read can bust through them with ease.

© Phil Walter/Getty Images

Milner-Skudder is someone who makes yards nearly every time he gets the ball and try as they might, the giants don't get many chances to place a big hit on him. Footwork, pace and self belief seems to be the ingredients. It works. Should they need to, they can go to Plan B and smash teams but they would rather stick to their preferred philosophy of playing the game by using skills honed by hours of practise.

To live in a world patrolled by dangerous giants, the 'small man' must find a way to implement his power and Giteau et al have done it time and again during the Rugby World Cup so far, and hopefully they will continue to do so. It's brilliant to see and has people across the globe jumping to their feet in wonder.

Read: We know South Africa's style
%]

I, for one, hope we are seeing a return to the days of creativity. Clearly I support England and I hope they choose to play with this style as they would be very good at it -- players like George Ford, Henry Slade and Jonathan Joseph are built for it. They need to choose to do it and stick to it, though, knowing they would need to be able to turn to Plan B as and when needed. 

There will be some testing times ahead, as experienced by Argentina during their development, but it has to be the way to go doesn't it? There is nothing more inspiring than watching a 'small man' tumble a giant.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.

Live Sports

Communication error please reload the page.