Barritt’s leading candidate to do a Botia-style switch
THE recent morphing of La Rochelle’s Levani Botia from a decent Test class centre into a potentially world class openside begs the question – are there any other sensational sevens waiting to be discovered in the various midfields around Europe? Botia, a former Sevens star who plays centre for Fiji and was particularly prominent in their entertaining RWC2015 match against Wales, has been sensational all season at openside for La Rochelle whose enlightened coach Patrice Collazo encouraged the switch. In one way perhaps the jury is still out because La Rochelle’s almost total focus on an attack-orientated game plays so much to Botia’s strengths. If they come up against a team that enjoys dominance up front he might not shine so brightly, but so far so good. La Rochelle want a powerful and dynamic line breaker up front to get them on the front foot and in Botia there is no better man. But who else has the mongrel tendencies to make the switch from centre? It’s not just a matter of being strong and quick, it’s having the tearway’s mentality to scavenge and to pull off devastating tackles as well as punching holes in the defence.
My prime candidate would be Brad Barritt, right, who is obviously still playing very well at centre for Saracens but would surely have been to the manor born at seven. There are few better in the tackle or quicker into position at the breakdown, he would be a George Smith-type openside.
Looking around the Premiership I would also offer up the names of Exeter Chiefs’ Sam Hill and Newcastle Falcons centre Josh Matevesi as prime candidates for wearing the seven shirt.
From yesteryear Brian O’Driscoll would have made a massive impact at openside. He damned near invented the jackal position which he started utilising midway through his career while his combative instincts would have made him a complete and utter nuisance to the opposition. Mike Tindall, I reckon, was also a frustrated flanker playing in the backs as his much broken boxer’s nose testifies.
Any other contenders? Sonny Bill Williams would surely be a useful seven but actually he would probably be much better suited to No.8, as would Jamie Roberts and Matt Banahan. The latter did in fact start his senior career with Jersey as a promising No.8.
And of course it could work the other way if coaches were willing to take a risk. Exeter Chiefs and England seven Sam Simmons could have a big future in midfield in the opinion of many and there’s not the slightest doubt in my mind that Neil Back would have been a Test centre had he not opted for flanker.