Gregor Paul: Finally we have real halfbacks

Tawera Kerr-Barlow, left, and Aaron Smith were the show stealers last weekend. Photos / Getty Images

Opinion

Finally it looks like there might be a couple of halfbacks in New Zealand who actually play like...well, like halfbacks.

Aaron Smith and Tawera Kerr-Barlow were the show stealers last weekend - both men offering compelling performances based on different skill-sets.

Smith had the look of a young Graeme Bachop against the Crusaders, with a touch of George Gregan thrown in. Those bullet passes were the difference - flat, direct passes that invited his team to run into space - that was the key to the Highlanders' performance.

Kerr-Barlow, physically had his socks down and his hair a touch woolly. Metaphorically he was the polar opposite - electric when he ran and full of good ideas. He damaged the Blues with his willingness to probe and move quickly and frankly he destroyed Alby Mathewson and made Piri Weepu look like the laboured force he currently is.

It has been a while since this country had genuinely exciting talent in the No 9 jersey.

Brendon Leonard was an intriguing and refreshing prospect when he broke through in 2007 - razor sharp and always alive to the half break.

But his star faded as quickly as it rose and the lack of world class talent at halfback has probably been a factor in New Zealanders embracing Weepu the way they have. Weepu is the best there has been since Justin Marshall moved on in 2005. Byron Kelleher had energy and aggression but was never in the top echelon of global halfbacks and it seems a little strange that the country holds such high expectations for most positions but has been willing to accept fairly limited offerings at halfback.

Weepu has been grasped because he is the best of an ordinary bunch. He has unquestionable talents that appeal - his kicking, his vision and his ability to see space.

But he has anchors that drag him - his lack of explosive pace, his lack of conditioning to go the distance and worst of all, that infuriating desire to stand for an age with his hands poised over the tackled ball waiting interminably before doing anything.

Jimmy Cowan, so admirably resilient and competitive, has fallen into a rut that is beginning to look terminal. He has gone dambusters with his passing - throwing skidding bombs that bounce several times before reaching the intended recipient. He'd maybe be best heading offshore sooner rather than later while he can still live off his reputation.

Andy Ellis is so likeable and engaging and generally more than competent. He is missing that something, though. Whether its top end speed, crispness and speed of delivery or general impact - Ellis is solid without ever convincing he's going to blow the game open the way Will Genia does.

With Cowan so out of form and Leonard injured, Smith and Kerr-Barlow will be granted the opportunity to prove they can sustain their early promise. Here's hoping they can - the All Blacks need a shake-up at halfback; they need a No 9 who wears that number on his back and understands precisely what the role entails.