Some explosive talent has changed codes down through the years…
Ben Te’o wears a famous number 13 jersey for the first time this evening as Leinster take on Edinburgh in the RDS. It will be interesting to see how the South Sydney Rabbitohs (the club are owned by actor Russell Crowe) convert goes in his full team debut for the province.
Rugby Union has become more and more suited to the direct, hard-hitting approach of Rugby League players because of the increased physicality inherent in today’s game.
However, making the switch is not easy. There is a lot to learn. Rucks are the essential difference between the codes and how Ben Te’o copes with this aspect of the game will go a long way towards telling us how effective the signing proves.
Te’o has not hit a proper ruck in a competitive game since he was a teenager. Surely a two-week crash course can’t prepare him for the job of shifting 18-stone second rows or perfectly positioned 7s. Tonight we’ll see how quick a learner he is in the first few rucks of the match.
JOE takes a look at some famous League converts:
Sonny Bill Williams
Sonny Bill Williams is back at number 12 for the All Blacks for tomorrow’s Test against the USA in Chicago. The flippant way in which he has yo-yo-ed between codes is further indication of his freakish sporting abilities – he even tried his fists at boxing, winning six professional fights and holding the New Zealand heavyweight title for a period.
When he last made the switch his off-loading changed how Rugby Union was played. The All Black centre returned to League after picking up a World Cup winners medal in 2011 signing for the Sydney Roosters.
Jason Robinson
While the 2003 World Cup winning team was famed for its pack and a number 10 with a penchant for drop goals, players such as Jason Robinson ensured they also had a world class backline.
His League club days were spent with Wigan and his Union days spent predominantly with Sale. Robinson is arguable the best league convert ever. His dazzling footwork more than made up for his small stature.
Brian Carney
We perhaps know Brian Carney better from his recent role as Sky Sports’ GAA anchor but he too made the switch from League to Union. After playing league in England and Australia he joined Munster in 2007 and became a dual-code Irish international at the age of 32. He was a part of the Irish World Cup squad in 2007 in France but never got a run in the tournament.
Chris Ashton
Chris Ashton is the one people seem to strongly dislike here in Ireland, just the sight of him seems to set off something in opposing rugby supporters. In the recent Saracens game at Thomond Park Munster fans gave him abuse from the stands as he stood on the wing. Mick Cleary, Telegraph rugby columnist, was shocked with the profanities he heard.
Even if you aren’t a fan of Ashton, it is hard to argue with his playing abilities. His skill set as winger, and convert, epitomise what League players can bring to Union: pace, eagerness to find work and comfort in contact.
Sam Burgess
Burgess fractured his jaw in the opening exchanges of the aforementioned Grand Final but played on and won the man of the match – yes, League players are hard. At 6ft 5 inches the debate rages about where England and Bath will play him: centre or backrow. There’s no doubting the 25-year-old’s freakish talent but converting to union is easier said than done.
