Great players can shape the character of a rugby nation and a great pairing even more so. But it has been shown throughout rugby’s history that if a nation can find the particular combination of a great scrum half and great fly half that combine completely, a nation can be dominate for decades.
The pairing of No.9 and No.10 in the game of rugby forms the hinge from which the entire side turns, they are the link between the forward pack and the back line, and over the years there have been some remarkable combinations that have defined eras of a rugby nation.
The supreme example is Italy’s great Diego Dominguez and Alessandro Troncon combination. They formed Italy’s axis for nine years. In a record 52 test matches together, Troncon scored 15 tries and Diego 983 test points.
Throughout almost a decade this pairing was vital to Italy’s style of play and had been the essential selection for all coaches through that period.
Australian legends
The names of half back Nick Farr-Jones and fly half Michael Lynagh, are inextricably linked to a great era in Australia rugby. Having played 47 test matches together during 7 years, they were the link men from a forward group that slogged out great Bledisloe Cup wins to classy back line that won a World Cup.
"We had a very good relationship, a very good understanding. We are very different people, but sometimes being different people in my view it assists in the way you come together," Farr-Jones said of his pairing with Lynagh.
The combination of Lynagh and Farr Jones was superb from the outset, though it improved as the two gained more experience together.
Such was the value of Farr-Jones, Lynagh and David Campese to Australian rugby that they were referred to as “The Holy Trinity.”
Farr Jones made his debut for Australia with the legendary Mark Ella at fly half. The story goes that on the morning of Farr-Jones' first Test, he was sharing a room with Mark Ella and asked the great fly half Ella how he wanted the ball delivered.
"Mate, just fling it over your shoulder and I'll be there," Ella is supposed to have said. "Don't worry about what kind of ball it is, just get it to me quickly..."
Farr-Jones did exactly that, and a great career was launched.
Farr-Jones said the chemistry he developed with Mark Ella was almost immediate: "I played four Tests with Mark Ella before he retired and the understanding was there with Mark just as with Mike.
Farr-Jones added that communication is the key to a good half back pairing.
"Probably the ability to get on, on and off the field even is important. Mike and I always have done.
"...One thing I loved about playing with Mike was generally speaking I generally knew exactly where he was without him having to call. You might call it telepathy, call it what you want….I knew where Mike was by instinct."
More Australians
One of the reasons Australia has remained at the top of the Rugby tree for an extended period is that they have been able to follow the Farr-Jones Lynagh pairing with the incumbent duo George Gregan and Stephen Larkham.
From their first association in 6 June 1998 to the most recent Tri Nations match in August 2003, this pairing also led Australia to World Cup glory.
The two know each other’s game intimately having also been the hinge of perpetual Super 12 contenders the ACT Brumbies, and will be the most experienced pairing at RWC 2003.
Famous All Blacks
The New Zealand combination of Justin Marshall and Andrew Mehrtens opposed Gregan and Larkham for a long time. Together for six years over 40 test matches, Marshall scored 22 tries.
Roy Laidlaw and John Rutherford round out the top five hinge combinations, the duo famous in the 1980’s as Scotland’s dangerous link men. They provided the backbone for Scotland over 35 test matches.
Top five hinges
1. Troncon / Dominguez ( played together 52 times )
2. Farr Jones / Lynagh ( 47 times )
3. Gregan / Larkham ( 44 times )
4. Marshall / Mehrtens ( 40 times )
5. Laidlaw / Rutherford ( 35 times )