Don't be confused by the title of this post, I'm not questioning North's ability. However, I have seen many comments from rugby fans on different websites saying that North is just an international player. Is there anyway this could possibly be true, after all you get picked on performances at club level. However, at one time in his international career he had played more times for Wales than he had for the Scarlets, something that just feels wrong. He only ever scored fourteen tries for the Scarlets in his 45 appearances, not the scoring record of an international sensation. Yet, his scoring record for Wales is far better an closer to one in every two games. On arguably the highest international stage, the Lions tour, in the tests he has a scoring record of two from three games. Now at the Northampton Saints he has played seven and scored just one.
It seems the higher up that North plays, the better he plays, what is the reason for this because its certainly not lack of talent, the whole rugby world knows how good he is now. At the Scarlets he was behind a fairly weak pack which were very much on the back foot for most of his time there which makes life very difficult for a winger. I would even suggest that the style of rugby that Simon Easterby wants to play did not suit North. Look at how well the Scarlets are doing this year with a different brand of winger, Jordan Williams. You may ask why did Easterby pick North if he didn't suit his style? Answer. He couldn't afford not to, at small regions like the Scarlets you have to have your best XV out there and hope they perform regardless of the style.
At the Saints, he is behind a far stronger pack which was bolstered again by the Summer signing of Corbisiero. Yet, he is still struggling for tries, this can partially be put down to the transition period and gelling with his new team. The other part is that Saints still don't play to North's strengths, whenever I have watched them this year, after five phases if they are not in the 22 and sometimes when they are, they seem to hit a panic button and kick possession away. When you have a strike runner as good as North that isn't what you do, keep recycling the ball, and North will find the right angle. It is fair to say that since joining Saints, North has spent most his time chasing kicks through, but he does most his damage with ball in hand.
For Wales and the Lions then North's performances are far better and on his day world class. Is it any coincidence that Warren Gatland was both Wales and the Lions coach, no. Any Welsh fan can tell you that Gatland doesn't play rugby, he plays Gatland-ball. Send big strike runners at the defense until they are too tired to tackle and eventually miss one, or send it wide where the space has inevitably opened up. It's a very simple way of playing the game and if we look at Wales over the past two or three years since the squad has been assembled to play it properly, it is effective. Look at the Welsh back line, all giants of over six foot and mostly over fifteen or sixteen stone. This is where North fits in, they play his game, running at men, drawing defenders and creating space. He has done this at his club sides as well, but in patches, for Wales he does it time after time after time.
No doubt then he fits into Gatland's system perfectly, but is he just playing poorly at the moment, every player can have a bad patch. The squad is announced tomorrow for the Autumn series, he will be in it, that is near enough guaranteed. However, his performances will be what is looked at this time, with wingers in Wales in far better form for the regions. Jordan Willams and Eli Walker are both in very good form and Liam Williams for can move to the wing. I'm not saying North should be dropped, but we need to see his international form because even though North is only twenty-one there are even younger players nipping at his heels.
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