THE REMARKABLE RISE OF CAM WINNETT
What a Six Nations he had, says Sean Holley, and what a f ind he is f or Wales
IN A year that has seen the passing of the legendary JPR Williams, it’s fitting to see the emergence of a new Welsh international in the iconic full-back role. That player is Cameron Winnett.
When Winnett faced Scotland at the start of the Six Nations, it was only his 16th senior appearance. Despite that, the 21-year-old Cardiff talent was one of the tournament’s standout players.
Winnett has matured quickly under the tutelage of former Cardiff full-back and now coach Dan Fish, who has helped him with his positional and backfield work. Wales wing Josh Adams also works closely with the youngster.
There’s a composure about Winnett that has eased the fear that Wales would not replace two greats, Leigh Halfpenny and Liam Williams, in the 15 jersey. He doesn’t get knocked by a mistake. He has all the ‘nuts and bolts’ and for a man not big in stature, he’s very solid under the high ball. He has an efficient kicking game, both long and short, and copes well with pressure.
But what stands out most is his ability to beat a player with a sidestep and accelerate into space. He’s a creative player who can score tries but he also helps others score. Cardiff coach Matt Sherratt labels his game understanding and ability in attack as “potential as a second pair of hands”. This means he believes Winnett can play as a receiver and act as a distributor in the front line.
I’ve taken a closer look at three of Winnett’s most admirable traits…
1
Winnett has a silky running style that sees him almost glide across the surface. Although lacking blistering pace, his magical sidestep enables him to invariably beat the first defender. After three rounds of this year’s Six Nations, no one had made more metres than the Welshman. A constant thorn in the side of England and responsible for Wales’ only line break against Ireland, Winnett can spark games to life. We saw that against Scotland when he attacked from deep, arcing round George Turner (A) to create a 2 v 1. He then committed Finn Russell before putting Rio Dyer away on the left (B).
2
Winnett’s control of his depth in the backfield and reading of the kicker’s body language is impressive. Courage is another key component of this – the decision to jump to catch a high kick comes with a level of bravery in knowing you can’t take your eyes off the ball and that there may be contact in the air that affects your journey back to the ground. And, of course, he must execute his catching skills (as below v England).
What I like most about Winnett here is his ‘do next’ approach. Once he has fielded the ball – in the air or on the ground – he quickly moves away to avoid being tackled or presents the ball back quickly to protect possession.
3
Kicking is a fundamental part of rugby football. It’s essential in Warren Gatland’s game plan. Winnett wouldn’t survive in a Gatland squad if he couldn’t kick from full-back, and by that I mean a range of kicks. He achieves extremely good distance and has the awareness to make touch or to find grass and kick infield.
A particularly good asset of his is the ‘kick to compete’ (below), a skill his predecessors, Liam Williams and Leigh Halfpenny, almost trademarked over the years. Winnett is not the tallest of full-backs but the timing and execution of his jumps to regain his own kicks was very evident in this Six Nations.